4-H’ers Showcase Showmanship Skills at Coweta County Fair

Pictured above are the Showmanship Sweepstakes Competitors (left to right): Josie Roberson, Ava Lyle, Colin Rhymer, Emma Jones, Caeden Swartz, and Hudson Morris.

By BILL HAMMOND, Coweta County 4-H Extension Agent

The lively atmosphere of the Coweta County fairgrounds buzzed with excitement as young 4-H competitors prepared their prized animals to showcase their showmanship abilities.

From sleek dairy heifers to fluffy rabbits, stately horses to clucking chickens, and bleating goats to barking dogs, the animal showmanship competitions drew crowds eager to see our 4-H youth showcase their skills in the arena. As judges observed closely, each competitor strived to display not just the beauty and health of their animals, but also the care and knowledge of their animals as well.

Competitors are divided by age, 4th-6th grade are Cloverleaf, 7th-8th grade are Junior, and 9th-12th grade are Senior.

4-H rabbit showmanship requires participants to demonstrate their knowledge and care of their rabbits. During the competition, exhibitors must handle and present their rabbit to the judge, showing proper techniques for posing, carrying, and examining the animal. They are asked questions about their rabbit’s breed, health, diet, and general care. Good showmanship highlights the exhibitor’s knowledge, responsibility, and respect for their animal.

Rabbit Showmanship winners are: Cloverleaf – Tylier Couch, Junior – Hudson Morris, Senior – Avery Pruett 1st, Emma Jones 2nd (Avery Pruett won sweepstakes in 2023 and was not eligible for 2024).

4-H dairy heifer showmanship focuses on how well participants can handle and present their dairy heifer. Exhibitors must lead their animal into the show ring, making sure it stands correctly and moves smoothly. They are judged on their ability to keep the heifer under control, how well they present it to the judge, and their knowledge of the animal’s care and characteristics. The goal is to showcase the exhibitor’s skills, care, and connection with their animal.

Dairy Heifer Showmanship participants include: Shane Butcher, Jacob Roberson, Josie Roberson, Caeden Swartz, and Abi Ullom.

4-H horse showmanship tests participants on how well they can present and handle their horse in the show ring. Exhibitors are judged on their ability to lead the horse, perform specific maneuvers like backing up and pivoting, and position the horse correctly for inspection. Participants are also expected to answer questions about horse care and handling. The goal is to demonstrate good communication between the exhibitor and horse, showing control, poise, and knowledge.

Horse Showmanship winners are: Cloverleaf – Abigail Scott, Junior – Peyton Sanders, Senior – Avery Pruett

4-H poultry showmanship requires participants to skillfully handle and present their chicken to the judge. Exhibitors must demonstrate how to properly catch, hold, and pose the bird for inspection, while explaining key details about its breed, age, health, and care. The goal of poultry showmanship is to showcase the exhibitor’s knowledge, responsibility, and ability to work calmly with their bird.

Poultry Showmanship winners are: Cloverleaf – Abigail Scott, Junior – Peyton Sanders, Senior – Colin Rhymer

4-H goat showmanship focuses on how well participants can handle and present their goat in the show ring. Exhibitors must lead the goat, position it correctly, and keep it under control throughout the competition. The exhibitor’s grooming and neat appearance, as well as the goat’s cleanliness and health, are also important. The goal is to highlight the exhibitor’s skills, confidence, and knowledge of goat care.

Goat Showmanship winners are: Cloverleaf – Jacob Roberson, Junior – Ava Lyle, Senior – Josie Roberson

4-H dog showmanship tests how well participants can handle and present their dog to the judge. Exhibitors must guide their dog through a series of patterns, making sure the dog follows commands, moves smoothly, and stands correctly for inspection. The goal is to showcase the exhibitor’s ability to control the dog, overall presentation, the dog’s grooming, and the exhibitor’s neatness and appearance.

Dog Showmanship winners are: Cloverleaf – Ashby Norford; Senior – Aliyah Downey

On the final weekend of the fair, the 4-H showmanship competitions come to an end with the grand finale. In this final show, called the “Showmanship Sweepstakes”, junior and senior winners from the livestock shows demonstrate their overall knowledge and showmanship ability of all five livestock species. They are each judged on how well they show the other animal species besides the one in which they qualified for during the previous week. This is quite an
accomplishment.

Congratulations to Emma Jones, the 2024 Sweepstakes Grand Champion and Colin Rhymer, the Reserve Grand Champion.