Three weeks after the Essex County event, two men in a dark pickup drove up to the fairground and, in broad daylight, proceeded to load eight 10-foot stock panels into the bed of the truck. 

Watchers thought that was a little odd - but, when they made a fast departure, police were called in. 

Like most fairgrounds, this type of equipment is used to control horses, cattle, and other livestock before, during, and after individual events. Loss of the equipment is a significant one as each panel costs around $100 to replace. 

The thieves may have thought they were stealing from the owners of the fairground, who are most likely adults and business people. But in this case, they weren't. Those panels belong to the local 4-H club who raised money for several years by holding bake sales, gathering recyclables, and asking for donations. Four H members are between the ages of 10-17, and they work for their supplies. Those panels meant a great deal to that club.

Along with use by the club, the panels were also loaned out on occasion to help other people with controling their animals. 

http://www.denpubs.com/news/2013/aug/31/ranch-panels-stolen-fairgrounds/