A dedicated showman who has earned Ohio State Fair wins and has received grand champion honors for her goats and market hogs at the Logan County Fair also experienced great success in the show arena Wednesday evening, July 12, at the Junior Fair Market Lamb Show.’
Jada Shroyer, 16, said it was her first time entering the Logan County Fair contest with a sheep wether, and she concluded the night with a grand champion win with her entry “Heffy.”
“It was a ton of fun tonight and there are so many good sheep in the competition,” said the Sidney High School sophomore and Miami Valley Producers 4-H member.
While she also enjoys raising and showing goats and pigs, sheep have found a special place in her heart.
“They are so calm and sweet. I love the way that they get attached to you and they really develop a bond with you when you work with them.”
Another Junior Fair Market Lamb Show newcomer, Kolton Cummins, also fared well in the contest, garnering a reserve grand champion for his market lamb, along with the grand champion pen of two market lambs.
The 16-year-old Indian Lake High School student was inspired by his sister Kayla’s accomplishments in the market lamb contest during 2022. She concluded her 4-H career last year by winning the grand champion market lamb title.
“I’m really happy that I branched out and decided to show market lambs. It was a great night and I’m pleased with how everything turned out,” Kolton said.
Kolton’s cousin Joslyn Cummins received the reserve grand champion pen of two market lambs.
During the final champion drive for the market lamb show, Judge Cassie Wallpe of Batesville, Ind., congratulated the exhibitors on their impressive entries and also thanked the large crowd in attendance for showing up to support the youngsters.
“This is their sport,” she said of the competitors in the show arena. “It is wonderful to see so many people here cheering them on.
“I always say that we only have 17 summers to spend with our kids. During the many hours getting ready for the fair, you’re instilling so much time with them, which is very valuable.”
In the Junior Fair Breeding Sheep Show Wednesday, Cy Cummins was awarded the grand champion ewe over all breeds for his crossbred entry. Konnor Barns received the grand champion ram over all breeds award for his cheviot.
Cy’s mother noted that the award-winning ewe had overcome a lot in her first months of life. She was born at the time of the winter storm and subzero temperatures before Christmas of 2022, and was found by Cy’s parents, clinging to life, and was nurtured indoors by the stove.
“We called her ‘Stovepipe’ for awhile,” his mother said.
Jada Shroyer
Grand champion market lamb
Kolton Cummins
Reserve grand champion market lamb
Cy Cummins
Grand champion ewe over all breeds
Konnor Barns
Grand champion ram over all breeds