Jordan Studer
CCN Reporter
BUCYRUS—As Crawford County Fair-goers were taking in the tasty food, James Schiefer was taking home winning titles at the Jr. Fair Market Show Thursday evening.
Schiefer, who has been showing for seven years said that he has had winning titles in the past, but that night trumped them all he said.
“Over the years we have had multiple, but this one is going to top them all,” he stated.
By the end of the night, Schiefer won the titles of Grand Champion Middleweight Market Barrow, Overall Grand Champion Market Barrow, Overall Grand Champion Market Hog, and Overall Grand Champion.
“It’s unbelievable, I’m speechless,” Schiefer happily said after winning Overall Grand Champion.
Schiefer was quick to express much gratitude to his family, thankful for all the hours of help and support they provide him with daily.
“Every morning, every night. It’s almost 24-7 helping out in the barn…It’s definitely a family thing,” he said.
He explained how day and night his family is alongside him helping to wash, walk, and do everything they can to succeed.
He continued on to say that no one should take the help and support of their family for granted.
“You always got to appreciate your family. There always there for you when times are tough. I’m blessed to say my family is always there… always appreciate your family.”
Schiefer shared that his two older sisters spent many years showing hogs, which inspired him to do the same.
And after years of getting to share his older sisters’ big successes in the show arena, he was able to flip the table, and he said he owes it all to them.
“If it wasn’t for them, I probably wouldn’t be here today,” Schiefer gratefully shared.
To all the young showmen just getting started, Schiefer encouraged, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Always ask an older shower for advice and continue to work hard.”
For her second year showing, Alivia Ritzler had a big night, taking home the title of Overall Reserve Champion. Throughout the night, Ritzler won Reserve Champion Lightweight Market Gilt, Grand Champion Middleweight Market Gilt, Overall Grand Champion Market Gilt, and finally Overall Reserve Champion.
“I feel really happy! This is my first bigger win,” Ritzler expressed.
Ritzler said that her favorite part of showing was how much fun it is. When asking her what made showing so fun, she answered quite simply.
“When you’re finally at the fair and you win something!” Ritzler excitedly explained.
When speaking to Ritzler’s mother, Brandy, she emotionally shared how there were hardly any words she could say that could express how proud and excited she was.
“It’s the most amazing thing. They work so hard. Both my girls, and even my youngest- every day they are out there…They do everything,” B. Ritzler emotionally said, “It’s absolutely amazing, I don’t even know how to explain it!”
A. Ritzler said that next year, her goal is to take a barrow and see if it challenges her. However, that won’t be the only exciting thing that happens next year for A. Ritzler. She was happy to say that she will be joined in the arena by her younger sister who will be making her first appearance at the Jr. Fair.
Getting to see her hard work pay off by taking home multiple winning titles that night was an experienced shower, Addison Wood. Wood and her hog won Reserve Champion Middleweight Market Gilt as well as Overall Reserve Champion Market Gilt.
Wood explained that she has been showing for about ten years and knows what it takes to get where she wants to be. Wood said that she and her younger sister, Lexi, worked many hours to prepare for that night.
“We put in a lot of really hard work this summer, so I’m very happy!” Wood said.
Results from the show can be found below:
Lightweight Market Gilt
Grand Champion- Kelsie Williams
Reserve Champion- Alivia Ritzler
Middleweight Market Gilt
Grand Champion- Alivia Ritzler
Reserve Champion- Addison Wood
Heavyweight Market Gilt
Grand Champion- Paityn Hafner
Reserve Champion- Braden Siefert
Overall Market Gilt
Grand Champion- Alivia Ritzler
Reserve Champion- Addison Wood
Lightweight Market Barrow
Grand Champion- Mallory Brause
Reserve Champion- Madden Alt
Middleweight Market Barrow
Grand Champion- James Schiefer
Reserve Champion- Kelsie Williams
Heavyweight Market Barrow
Grand Champion- Blake Beckley
Reserve Champion- Braden Siefert
Overall Market Barrow
Grand Champion- James Schiefer
Reserve Champion- Blake Beckley
Overall Market Hog
Grand Champion- James Schiefer
Reserve Champion- Alivia Ritzler