There were about 130 Junior 4-H members who came to the Grand River Raceway in Elora Aug. 19 and 20 for the West-Central Ontario Junior dairy show.
On Aug. 19, West Central Ontario 4-H members brought their calves. The first day was filled with fun and learning as the participants learned about getting ready for the show, showmanship and farm safety during the educational stations session. The participants also played games and took part in a scavenger hunt that had them searching all over the show grounds. They then camped out overnight by the racetrack in anticipation of Wednesday’s show.
Competitors came from Waterloo and Peel Region, and Brant, Grey, Wentworth, Niagara, and Wellington Counties for the event.
Senior 4-H members assisted at the show by clipping and setting the toplines for the young showmen so they could learn the proper technique to get the job done correctly.
Judge Gary Jebson, of Sunderland, saw first hand what the 4-H members had learned the day before in a large competitive show.
In peewee showmanship, Blaire French, of Wellington County, came out on top of an impressive class, with Mikayla Ringelberg, of Wentworth County placing second.
In Junior Showmanship, Morgin Wright, of Grey County, won the competitive class with Hayden Burgess, of Wellington County, placing second.
In the massive senior showmanship class, Travis Canning, of Wellington County was selected the first place showman and later was named the Grand Champion for that category. The second place finishing senior and reserve champion was Kirsten Harbin, also of Wellington County.
After a very strong calf show, Connor French, of Wellington County was the winner of the day.
Her calf, Craigcrest Rubies Gold Rejoice, took first place Intermediate Calf and Grand Champion Calf. Reserve Champion Calf was Bridon Justice Prancer, the second place Intermediate Calf of Erica Sayles, from Brant County.
Other class winners included Blanhaven Sept Storm Alpha, the Junior Calf of Cody Hollands, from Grey, Walkerbrae Minister Natasha, the Senior calf of Harbin, of Wellington, and Valleyriver Sungod Veronica which was the top Yearling for McKenzie Wright from Grey.
Sponsors Bruce Witmer, of Speedside Holsteins, and John Innes and Shelley Sutton, of Dumfries Mutual Insurance, presented the Grand and Reserve Champion banners to the winners.