By Jordan Studer
Thursday evening’s Junior Fair Market Hog Show was full of successes for many. For Lori Millenbaugh, the night was full of Grand Champion titles. Millenbaugh won Middleweight Market Gilt Champion, Middleweight Market Barrow Champion, Overall Market Barrow Champion, Grand Champion Overall Market Hog, and Overall Grand Champion Hog.
This year, Millenbaugh also won the Market Lamb Senior Showmanship and took home the title of Overall Grand Champion Market Steer. Millenbaugh explained that her family has shown for a very long time and without their inspiration and guidance, she wouldn’t be where she is today.
Millenbaugh explained that if someone was wondering if they should begin showing livestock she would inform them, “I’d tell them it’s a lot of work, but if you work hard enough and you do the best you can, it will pay off in the end,”
When speaking with Millenbaugh’s mother, Janet Finney, about her feelings after Millenbaugh earned another winning title, she answered with tears forming in her eyes, “I am overwhelmed right now because that Hog Show is tough. It’s always been tough, so many good families.”
Finney explained that the last time their family had gotten close to winning was when Amber Millenbaugh had won Reserve Champion in 2010. According to Finney, it had been about thirty years prior to the 2010 win that their family had a Champion Hog, so when L. Millenbaugh won, it was a big moment for the family.
During the show, Judge Will Hilty spoke to the exhibitors about how important it was for them to advocate for showing hogs because if not them, who will. When asking Finney what she would tell anyone who was curious what has been the most rewarding thing for her kids and family about showing livestock, she had a very passionate answer.
“The biggest benefit is the family works together. Just so much responsibility and drive. A lot of dedication. But no matter if you win or if you lose, it’s what you learn while you do it because someone learns something every single day. Every year it changes, the styles…just never give up, just keep going,” Finney explained.
Also taking home multiple winning titles was Lyndie Williams. Williams won Reserve Champion of Middleweight Market Gilt, Middleweight Market Barrow, Overall Market Barrow, Overall Market Hog, and Overall Reserve Champion Hog.
Additionally, a young exhibitor shining brightly was Buckeye Stars 4-H member was Paityn Hafner. This year marked Hafner’s first year in 4-H, and her first go at showing pigs. Hafner explained that she had to put a lot of hard work into preparing for the show.
Although a tearful Hafner did not win Overall Grand Champion Hog as she was hoping for, she did take home three winning titles. Hafner won Lightweight Carlot Reserve Champion, Heavyweight Market Gilt Champion, and Overall Market Gilt Champion.
Nine-year old Gracie Stirm, a two-year member of North Robinson Blue Ribbons, had a first during the show as well. Stirm won Heavyweight Carlot Champion and Overall Carlot Champion. She explained that she had put a lot of time and effort into getting her hogs ready for show day,“ I worked with them, walked them every night, and fed them.”
Throughout the entire evening, the talents of exhibitors came shining through the sawdust flying around, helping to make the show a successful one.
For a complete listing of winners from the evening, see below.
Lightweight Carlot Champion –Bergan Leonhardt, Star Farmers
Lightweight Carlot Reserve Champion –Paityn Hafner, Buckeye Stars
Middleweight Carlot Champion –Adam Scott, Liberty Leaders
Middleweight Carlot Reserve Champion –Lynae McKibben, Dairy Maids & Gents
Heavyweight Carlot Champion –Gracie Stirm, North Robinson Blue Ribbons
Heavyweight Carlot Reserve Champion –Grace Stucky, Lykens Champions
Overall Carlot Champion –Gracie Stirm, North Robinson Blue Ribbons
Overall Carlot Reserve Champion –Adam Scott, Liberty Leaders
Lightweight Market Gilt Champion –Kylee Bloomfield, Star Farmers
Lightweight Market Gilt Reserve Champion –Lexie Wood, Holmes-Liberty Royal Lions 4-H
Middleweight Market Gilt Champion –Lori Millenbaugh, North Robinson Blue Ribbons
Middleweight Market Gilt Reserve Champion –Lyndie Williams, Mt. Zion Buckeyes
Heavyweight Market Gilt Champion –Paityn Hafner, Buckeye Stars 4-H Club
Heavyweight Market Gilt Reserve Champion –James Schiefer, Lykens Champions
Overall Market Gilt Champion –Paityn Hafner, Buckeye Stars
Overall Market Gilt Reserve Champion –James Schiefer, Lykens Champions
Lightweight Market Barrow Champion –Grace Stucky, Lykens Champions
Lightweight Market Barrow Reserve Champion –Cole Zender, Star Farmers
Middleweight Market Barrow Champion –Lori Millenbaugh, North Robinson Blue Ribbons
Middleweight Market Barrow Reserve Champion –Lyndie Williams, Mt. Zion Buckeyes
Heavyweight Market Barrow Champion –Malorie Williams, Mt. Zion Buckeyes
Heavyweight Market Barrow Reserve Champion –Bergan Leonhardt, Star Farmers
Overall Market Barrow Champion –Lori Millenbaugh, North Robinson Blue Ribbons
Overall Market Barrow Reserve Champion –Lyndie Williams, Mt. Zion Buckeyes
Grand Champion Overall Market Hog –Lori Millenbaugh, North Robinson Blue Ribbons
Reserve Champion Overall Market Hog – Lyndie Williams, Mt. Zion Buckeyes
Overall Grand Champion Hog –Lori Millenbaugh, North Robinson Blue Ribbons
Overall Reserve Champion Hog –Lyndie Williams, Mt. Zion Buckeyes