BUCYRUS, OHIO (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW) — A packed show arena and more than two hours of competition Friday night set the stage for the Showman of Showmen contest, where nine exhibitors gave it their all. In the end, Ally Liming, Myli Estridge, and Isaac Hiler came out on top.

Liming, a junior at Wynford High School and member of the Town and Country 4-H Club, shows swine and market lambs. Her favorite animal to show during the competition was the beef steer, saying she “got a good one,” and her least favorite was the chickens because she “isn’t a fan of smaller animals.”

After years of preparation, Liming said she was thrilled to finally bring home the title.

“I am extremely happy. I’ve wanted to win Showman of Showmen since I can remember,” Liming said. “I think that I worked really hard this week to prepare for it, but I’ve also been preparing for it for two years now, and I am just really glad that I got it done.”

Liming emphasized the importance of composure and effort in the ring.

“Stay calm at all times because even if you mess up, if the judge sees that you’re calm, then you’re going to get some good points for that,” she said. “Just work hard because you can beat anyone in showmanship. You might not always have the money to beat them in the market show, but showmanship, it doesn’t cost any money to win. So outwork everyone.”

She thanked fellow competitors Hiler and Estridge, the Brause family, Allison Brewer, her family, and the sponsors of the contest.

Reserve honors went to Hiler, a second-year student at Terra State Community College studying mechanical engineering. A member of the North Auburn Hustlers 4-H Club, he shows poultry and goats. His favorite animal to show Friday night was the “big fluffy beef steers,” and his least favorite was the alpaca. He also named horses, poultry, and rabbits, joking that they “made him bleed.”

“This is my second year, the first time I was too nervous. I wanted to do good this year and be fun to watch,” Hiler said. “If anyone watched me, I was horsing around and making people laugh. I was probably the most fun person to watch out there.”

He added with humor, “There are two types of people in this world — winners and losers. I got second, so I was a ‘loser.’”

Hiler credited his family for supporting him through the week and encouraged others to have fun and enjoy life.

Estridge, a junior at Buckeye Central and member of the Young Riders 4-H Club, earned third place. She shows horses at the fair and said her favorite animal to show Friday was the steer, since she started with them before switching to horses. Her least favorite was the chicken, which she said didn’t cooperate and pooped on her.

Her advice to fellow showmen: “Be confident in what you’re doing and know that you’re doing it right: even if you are unsure, don’t show it and look the judge in the eyes and smile.”

Estridge thanked her mom for unwavering support and encouraged younger 4-H members to make the most of their time.

“Enjoy all of your years in 4-H because they go a lot faster than you think they will,” she said.

In a contest that celebrated grit, grace, and good humor, this year’s Showman of Showmen proved that heart and hard work are what truly bring champions to the ring.

 

 

Showman of Showmen Representatives

Swine – Ally Liming

Dairy beef – Hayden Langenderfer

Dairy – Alexis Stansbery

Beef – Colton Worden

Rabbits – Alaina Parr

Goats – Peyton Rowlinson

Lambs – Hayden Horning

Horses – Myli Estridge

Alpacas – Carly Kent

Poultry – Isaac Hiler