The pinnacle of Waseca 4-H

By TRISTAN JENSEN

Staff Writer

The pinnacle of the Waseca County Fair’s 4H Livestock Showmanship category is the Premier Showmanship event, in which the champions and reserve champions who showed each livestock species compete to become the champion of champions. This year, the announcers noted for the crowd that some of the exhibitors had been competing against each other for thirteen years. Despite the high stakes and potential for rivalries, all the exhibitors were congratulated by announcers for doing an excellent job displaying the values of the 4H code. This year’s Premier Showmanship Champion was Matthew Feldkamp, who is in his last summer as a 4H participant as he is graduating the program. Reserve Champion went to Karley Hamilton, a ninth-grade student who has participated in 4H shows since she was a Cloverbud. 

The Premier Showmanship category tests exhibitors’ general knowledge and flexibility. Within the judging arena, an area is set up for each of the livestock categories: goats, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits, dairy, and beef. The participants then rotate through the arena in pairs and show all of these animals – even though many only regularly show one or two species. A judge is present at each station, and a five-minute timer runs while the exhibitors do their best to show each animal. At the same time, the judges ask questions of the exhibitors – quizzing them on identification, care, and breeding of the animals they are showing.

Because they’ll be shown by less experienced exhibitors, the animals used in Premier Showmanship are especially well-behaved specimens volunteered by 4H families. The focus for the exhibitors should not be on managing the animals’ behavior, but on the breadth of their knowledge. Additionally, each animal has a different style of halter, different show sticks, and other equipment used to encourage the animal to stand properly and show its best features, all of which the exhibitors must use during the Premier Showmanship event.

Feldkamp qualified for Premier Showmanship after winning in poultry, and has also previously shown rabbits and swine. Hamilton won in rabbits, and has also shown horses, sheep, and goats. Both chuckled a bit at a judge’s comments that they looked very comfortable in each station: Hamilton expressed having some difficulty with the beef and dairy categories. When asked about how they prepare for the possibility of Premier Showmanship, both winners said they practice showing each animal just a few times in the weeks leading up to the fair.

Because Premier Showmanship is about the best of the best, and all exhibitors have already won ribbons in their own categories, the prizes are stepped up. All participants in Premier Showmanship get an exclusive t-shirt. Feldkamp and Hamilton will both receive belt buckles for their wins. As the Champion, Feldkamp also received a banner.

Premier Showmanship, held yearly after all livestock species have been shown and judged, is a fun and exciting experience for both exhibitors and audience members.