Support for Tristin Boring seen throughout Perry Co. Fair

NEW LEXINGTON — At every corner of the Perry County Fair Thursday evening, people were sporting blue Pulling for Tristin shirts and hanging signs supporting Tristin Boring's recovery. 

Tristin was injured when a car struck his Gator near his Thornville home in late May, and since then the community has rallied around his recovery. People have made shirts, donated money and held events to show they're Pulling for Tristin. 

The 17-year-old Sheridan High School student has been showing steers at the fair since he was 9. This year, Tristin's brother Chase showed his steers for him, but he was just one of many there who were Showing for Tristin. His 4-H group, Madison Junior Farmers, made shirts and heart-shaped signs with that phrase on them and distributed them at the fair to ensure Tristin's presence at one of his favorite events was still felt. All the proceeds are going to his family and his recovery. 

Jackie O’Brien, a friend of the family, made ear tag key chains and sold them at the fair to raise money for Tristin as well. 

"It’s overwhelming and it’s really touching," his aunt Jackie Edwards said. "It shows that there’s a lot of good people in the world, a lot of people who really care." 

Tristin's two steers, Rusty and Little Chicken, and Chase's steer Hank earned second place in their classes Thursday. Rusty took home Reserve Grand Champion as second best steer of not only his class, but the entire fair. 

Rusty and Hank will be sold Saturday morning at the fair's livestock sale, while Little Chicken will be shown at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville in November. NAILE is billed as the world's largest all-breed, purebred livestock exposition.

"Hopefully Tristin can show him down there," Chase said. 

On July 9, Tristin had a successful surgery to replace his bone flap, the part of his skull that was removed in a previous surgery. He can now talk and can walk with a walker and the assistance of a therapist. On the day of his steers' showing, he passed his swallow test and can now have solid foods. 

Tristin moved to the rehab floor a couple days after his surgery, but went back to the neuro floor Tuesday after having three small seizures. However, he's had no seizures since then and his family hopes he'll be moved back to the rehab floor soon. Jessica, Tristin's mother, said doctors have been very impressed with his progress. 

While Tristin's now having conversations with his family, talking about the fair still bothers him. Tristin and his brother have had the steers since the fall and have shown them at events all over the state in preparation for their home fair.

"He's worked really hard for this, so I think it's just upsetting for him," Jessica said. 

The Boring brothers have put months into training the steers to walk and behave properly, as well as washing and feeding them and keeping their hair in good condition. They've shown the steers in Lancaster, Columbus, Lima and Zanesville ahead of the Perry County fair.

"You put a lot of hard work in and sweat and then it comes to fruition in one night," Jackie said. 

Chase was 6 when Tristin showed his first steer at the fair and they've been around steers most of their lives. Tristin's taught Chase a lot about caring for the steers and the brothers are in the same 4-H group. 

Each 4-H group makes a booth for the fair, and Madison Junior Farmers dedicated theirs to Tristin's recovery. While most booths were titled "Picture You in 4-H," the Madison Junior Farmers booth showed the words "Picture You Pulling For Tristin" and included pictures from people in the community riding their tractors and wearing their Pulling for Tristin shirts. 

Members of Tristin's family said they're incredibly grateful for the community's continuous support and they hope everyone will continue Pulling for Tristin. 

TRobertson@gannett.com

740-450-6752

Twitter: @TomRobertsonTR