West Central Ontario Junior Show 2016

Elora, ON– 106 enthusiastic Junior 4-H members participated in the West Central Ontario Junior Show 2016 held August 25th and 26th at the Grand River Raceway in Elora.

On August 25, West-Central Ontario 4-H members brought their calves and their enthusiasm to Elora, ON. The first day participants prepared their pack with their clubs and had some help making final preparations and clipping top lines. At 3 p.m. participants were divided into four groups to take part in rotational educational sessions. Sessions and leaders included Jackie Maciukiewicz with “Go for the Gold” trivia, Carolyn Sayles with “What not to wear in the show ring”, Krista Fraser with “How to wash your calf” and Ava Doner with “Tips for successful showmanship.” After rotating through the stations, participants enjoyed a scavenger hunt that had them searching all over the show grounds. After a pizza dinner, the annual “John Drummond Water Balloon Extravaganza” helped everyone cool off! Many participants camped out overnight with family and friends by the racetrack in anticipation of Wednesday’s show.

By 7 a.m. early Friday morning, participants had teamed up to wash and prepare their calves with some final top line assistance from senior 4-H members. Judge Kyle MacLeod from Woodstock, Ontario carefully evaluated several heats of Senior Showmen and eventually chose Denise Sayles of Brant County as his Champion with Alanah Deboer of Niagara North as Reserve. Hunter Maisonneuve of Grey County took Champion Junior Showman with Tyler Gingrich of Waterloo as Reserve. Ashley Cain of Brant County took Champion Pee Wee Showman with Hudson Maisonneuve of Grey County taking Reserve. The show’s Grand Champion Showman was Denise Sayles with Hunter Maisonneuve as Reserve and Alanah Deboer as Honourable Mention.

Chelsey Stephens of Wentworth took Champion Junior calf with Glen Islay Biver Fairytale and Kara Tichbourne of Grey claimed Reserve with Valleyriver Lotus Stella. Mary Brander of Wellington had Champion Intermediate Calf with Alexvale Vivitar Goldielious, Bradley Janesma of Niagara North was Reserve with Cranholme Soloman Fantasy. Champion Senior Calf went to Denise Sayles with Bridon Timber Peach while Josie McNab of Grey was Reserve with High Beam Dempsey Xena. Rounding out the calf classes was Hanna Smith of Haldimand as Champion Summer Yearling with Running Spring Dempsey Darcy, Reserve went to Sam Hartwick of Haldimand with Pleasant Nook Frozen Fever. Overall Grand Champion Calf went to Denise Sayles, Reserve was Mary Brander and Chelsey Stephens was Honourable Mention.

Adam Fisher from Grey County won the beautifully painted show box.

Sponsors Bruce Witmer of Speedside Holsteins and Shelley Sutton of Dumfries Mutual Insurance were on hand to present the Grand and Reserve Champion banners in both categories. We also would like to thank RBC, Ontario Dairy Youth Trust Fund, Ontario Joint Dairy Breeds, Gay Lea Foods, EastGen and numerous financial supporters for their continuous support of the Junior Show. Special thanks also goes out to the organizing committee, volunteers and senior 4-H members who helped make this event run smoothly.