The 27th edition of the Western Canadian Classic was held in Olds, Alberta during the week of August 23-27th.  This year’s Wild West event provided the opportunity for 90 of Western Canada’s finest youth to meet new friends and learn new skills while competing in a number of events.  Over the span of five days the participants used their talent, competitiveness and creativity to participate in a relay get acquainted night, paintballing fun night as well as creating outstanding stall displays.  Their knowledge and experience was used to write a dairy science quiz provided by Holstein Canada. Participants also had the opportunity to compete in clipping, judging, showmanship and conformation competitions.

The Alberta team continued to dominate in the clipping competition with 8 out of 10 participants placing in the top 5 for each category and Lee Morey (Jr), Jackie Hunter (Int) and Chad Crest (Sr) winning top place in each of their respective catagories.  Even though Dairy science quiz was dominated by BC with 6 participants placing in the top 5 the winners were well spread out with Lee Morey (AB) winning Juniors, Jessie Smith (MB) winning Intermediates and Danielle Saelman (BC) taking first in Seniors.  In the Judging competition Alberta claimed 23 of 45 spots in overall, judging and reasons with an even spread between Saskatchewan, BC and Alberta in top place. Two class winners in showmanship were claimed by BC, Mike Podschadly (Jr) and Lexi Dejong (Sr).  Lexi claimed the Grand Champion spot with 2nd in class, Metty VandeBrake from Alberta beating her sister, Henriet VandeBrake, the winning Intermediate out for Reserve. 

While BC dominated class winners in the Conformation Alberta had 24 of their 32 calves place in the top 10 and claimed Grand Champion with the winning Winter Yearling, Skycrest Sanchez Abracadabra.  This 4-H entry shown by Chad Crest was followed in the champion class by two BC calves, Cedarwal Sanchez Icing (2nd Intermediate Yearling) shown by Erica Vanderwal and Cedarwal Stallion Raquel (Summer Yearling) shown by Danielle Saelman.

Winning the coveted Premier Province trophy was team Alberta with British Columbia coming in second.  Lee Morey’s top place in junior clipping, reasons and dairy science quiz brought him and the Alberta team the High Point participant of the competition. The Alberta WCC committee would like to thank WCC’s major sponsor, Westgen for their continued support along with all of their other sponsors.  Also we would like to thank the countless volunteers and parents who donate time to this outstanding youth program each year.  All results and sponsors can be found HERE .  The 2012 Western Canadian Classic competition will be held in Brandon, Manitoba.

It has been a very successful endeavor involving youth from the four western provinces.   The event is hosted each year by one of the four western provinces.   This year WCC is being held in Olds, AB, August 23-27, 2011.

 A total of 100 young adults and youth between the ages of 12-21 take part in many activities.  These activities are clipping, dairy science quiz, judging, stall competition, showmanship and conformation classes.  During these 5 days the youth also participate in fun activities planned for them in the evenings.

The purpose of this competition is to provide on opportunity for our youth to improve their skills in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and public speaking.  During this event they have the opportunity to meet new people and to stimulate and maintain interest in the agriculture industry.  This remarkable event provides an opportunity for Agri -Business to participate in the development of youth in the future of agriculture.