Work ethic, project knowledge propel top swine exhibitors in showmanship

Consistent action and a disciplined work ethic paid off for junior fair competitors Tuesday in the form of top finishes in swine showmanship competition.

Jr Showman Class 1 Hill Savannah

SAVANNAH HILL

Jr Showman Class II Lyden Carter

CARTER LYDEN

Intermediate Showman Class II Lyden Carson

CARSON LYDEN

Morganne Faler and Starrla Austin each placed first in the two classes of senior showmanship.

Both seasoned exhibitors spoke of the balance between work and 4-H that must be struck in order to be successful.

Ms. Faler said she started working with her pig in May as soon as she returned home from Bluffton University, and the concerted effort in those months leading up to the fair helped set her up for a first-place finish in swine showmanship.

Ms. Austin works half the week, and spends the other half working with her fair project, she said. Without that attention to time management, she would not have been able to set herself up for success, she said.

That commitment to the project was evident in each first place exhibitor.

“Ninety-nine percent of successful showmanship is on the exhibitor, and the time spent with that animal before you even step into the show ring,” said judge Craig Spray, from Lafayette, Ind., who oversaw Tuesday’s swine competitions.

“It’s clear that all of these exhibitors have spent a lot of time with their animals at home, and they are to be commended for that.”

Intermediate Showman Class 1 Hostetler Rachel

RACHEL HOSTETLER

Sr Showman Class 1 Faler Morganne

MORGANNE FALER

Sr Showman Class II Austin Starrla

STARRIA AUSTIN

Rachel Hostetler, 13, and Carson Lyden, 12, placed first in the two classes of intermediate showmanship.

Carter Lyden and Savannah Hill finished first in the two classes of junior showmanship.

“I wanted to keep my animal in the middle of the ring, make sure to make eye contact with the judge and keep the pig moving and calm,” Savannah said of her keys to winning.

Mr. Spray said he was impressed with all exhibitors’ knowledge of their projects.

“The top end of each class is really competitive, and all these exhibitors show a wide range of knowledge on their projects, and that is something I don’t think you see at every fair,” the judge said.

In the pee wee divisions, Kylee Zedeker won the five-year-old division; Lane Hill won the six-year-old division; Jaden Zedeker won the seven-year-old division; and Clarissa Bates won the eight-year-old division.

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