One hundred and eight 4-H members participated in the tenth annual West-Central Junior Show held at the Grand River Raceway Aug. 17 and 18.
The first day included educational sessions on washing, showmanship, tying halters properly, and preparing for the show ring, as well as a session on animal handling, led by Heather Hargrave of OFAC.
Competitors also had time to practice showmanship and clip their calves with help from older 4-H members. Participants got to know one another as they were split into teams and took part in an entertaining obstacle course relay.
And, as is the tradition, the evening was capped with a huge water balloon fight.
Judge Scott Brethet had his work cut out for him on show day as the participants ranging from peewees to seniors put their skills to the test. The strong peewee showmanship class proved they are a future force to be reckoned with, as 15 youngsters competed.
The peewee showmanship champion was Tyler Canning, of Wellington County with Reserve going to Denise Sayles, of Brant.
In the junior showmanship class, after three strong heats, Connor French, of Wellington County, was named junior showmanship champion with reserve going to Meghan Martin, of Waterloo.
In the very large senior class, Caleigh Van Kampen, of Dufferin County, was named senior showmanship champion with Ally Spielmacher, of Grey County, following in reserve.
For his overall showmanship champions, Judge Brethet selected Caleigh Van Kampen, then Connor French, with honourable mention going to Ally Spielmacher.
Forty-two calves competed in the large junior calf class with first place going to Lindsay Bos, of Waterloo Region, on Bosdale Shottle Libby, and second place to Sayles, of Brant County, on Bridon Iatola Sonata.
Top intermediate calf went to Kirsten Harbin, of Wellington County on Aland Jacknife Amy, with second awarded to Alycia Walker, also of Wellington County, on Walkerbrae Comerica Nina.
The senior calf class was topped by Emily Kyle, of Brant County, on Ash Lawn Deacon Roxanne 77W-P, with second awarded to Nathan Bo,s of Waterloo Region, on Bosdale Alexander Portea. In the yearling class, top honours went to Calvin Ysinga, of Waterloo Region, on Bosdale Champion Tootsie, with second going to Erica Sayles of Brant County, on Bridon Vincent Episode.
Grand champion calf honours went to Kirsten Harbin, of Wellington County, with Aland Jacknife Amy, reserve was awarded to Alycia Walker, of Wellington, with Walkerbrae Comerica Nina, and honourable mention went to Lindsay Bos, of Waterloo Region, with Bosdale Shottle Libby.
No one went home empty-handed as all participants received prizes provided by the sponsors throughout the show. Shae Lightfoot, of Haldimand County, was the lucky winner of the beautiful hand-made show box.
Over the past ten years hundreds of 4-H members have been given the opportunity to participate in a show that is competitive, educational, but above all else, fun.Members thanked all the sponsors and volunteers that make the West-Central Junior Show possible year after year.
