By Jordan Studer
The arena filled with spectators Tuesday evening, all anxious to see the competition brought to the table during the Beef Feeder and Junior Beef Feeder Showmanship.
Nine-year 4-H member of Buckeye Stars, Alex Rowlinson, won the title of Jr. Beef Senior Showman. After winning the Jr. Beef Senior Showmanship, Rowlinson came back to compete against Gunner Christman, Beef Feeder Senior Showman, to see who would be the Showman of showman representative for Beef.
Rowlinson won the title and will be competing in the Showman of showman competition set to be held Friday, July 21, at 5 p.m. in the arena.
According to Rowlinson, the preparation and practice it took her to have the knowledge and skills to win showmanship took true drive and dedication.
“It’s a lot of work. It’s a lot of working outside at night, it’s a lot of late nights in the barn, just trying to get your animal to cooperate,” Rowlinson explained.
When asking Rowlinson what advice she would give young showmen just getting started, she had one simple for them to remember.
“Stay calm and have fun with it, just do the best you can,” Rowlinson advised.
Junior Beef Feeder Showmanship winner, was a member of Chatfield Blue Ribbons 4-H club, Victoria Hiler.
As a second year showman of cattle, Hiler was very excited to be able to earn her very first title of Champion Junior Beef Feeder Showman and Reserve Junior Beef Showman.
“Well this was my first year (winning showmanship), so this was really exciting that I got to win… I was really proud of myself,” Hiler said.
As a champion of the Junior Beef Feeder Showmanship, Hiler’s ability and skills took over during the Beef Breeding Show when her Crossbred Summer Yearling decided it was no longer wanting to stand still. Hiler calmly smiled and did everything in her power to get her heifer under control. Though the heifer not cooperating could have brought Hiler’s spirits down, the smile never left her face, proving to be a true showman at heart.
When asking Hiler just what all she has learned goes into preparing for showmanship, she said there are a few pivotal points you can’t forget about.
“Well, you got to know what you’re doing for showmanship. And you always want to look nice because they aren’t judging the calf, they’re judging you and your calf when you set it up and everything else,” Hiler explained.
A complete list of results from Beef Feeder Showmanship and Jr. Beef Showmanship is listed below.
Senior Beef Feeder Showmanship
Champion –Gunner Christman
Reserve –Alex Rowlinson
Intermediate Beef Feeder Showmanship
Champion –Zack Harer
Reserve –Kolin Rowlinson
Junior Beef Feeder Showmanship
Champion –Victoria Hiler
Reserve –Andrew Harer
Senior Beef Showmanship
Champion –Alex Rowlinson
Reserve –Lori Millenbaugh
Intermediate Beef Showmanship
Champion –Kylee Bloomfield
Reserve –Allison Lust
Jr. Beef Showmanship
Champion –Gracie Stirm
Reserve –Victoria Hiler