Youth livestock handlers show off ring skills
By Laura Collins
Published in News on April 8, 2010 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MICHAEL BETTS
Garret Boykin, 9, stands with his goat, Oatmeal, to be judged by Justin Fix during the 62nd Annual Wayne County Junior Livestock Show and Sale meat goat show. The market hog show began today at 9 a.m. The auction begins tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds.
More than 150 people attended the meat goat and feeder calf show at the 62nd Annual Livestock Show and Sale Wednesday night at the Wayne County Fairgrouinds.
The event continued today, with the junior market hog show this morning, a costume and "city slicker" contests this afternoon. Awards were to be presented tonight at 7, with the sale at 7:30. The show is sponsored by the county Livestock Development Association.
About 25 young people, ages 5-19, participated in the meat goat portion of the show and two people showed three calves for the feeder calf portion. Wednesday's events began with the showmanship competition which was divided into three categories based on age: novice, junior and senior.
"You can buy a $50 goat or a $500 goat and you still have the same opportunity to win showmanship," said Justin Fix, who judged the competition.
After winning the Novice Division, Caleb Heath, a Faith Christian Academy student, said the hours he spent working with his goat were worth it. His grandfather, Russell Vinson, echoed his sentiment.
"I'm proud as punch. His hard work has really paid off," he said
Alec Linton took first place in the Junior Division. During the judging, Fix said it was clear that Linton, 14, had experience and showed ease in handling his goat. Linton said he was proud of his goat, Shimmer, which he's been training since mid-January.
"It's good to know that I did all the work with the goat, not someone else. This goat wasn't just handed to me," he said. "Now, I just want to get better and improve."
Avery Faulkner too first place in the Senior Goat Showmanship competition.
The meat goat portion of the show was capped off with the Best of Show Award, which was divided into three classes based on the goat's weight.
For Class 1 (50-54 pounds) first place went to Courtney Outlaw and second place to Rachel McCullen. For Class 2 (60-75 pounds) first place went to Adam McCullen and second place to Mary Dunn. For Class 3 (85-100) pounds, first place went to Avery Faulkner and second place to Caleb Heath. The Best of Show Grand and Reserve winners were picked from the first and second place finishers in each class, with Adam McCullen winning grand champion and Mary Dunn winning reserve champion.
McCullen, 15, a Wayne Early Middle College High School student, was pleased with the outcome.
"It shows I did good with my goat," he said. "It means you know what you're doing when it comes to goats and agriculture."
McCullen, who is showing a hog at today's competition, has been a part of the show for five years.
"My dad did it when he was little and he told me Id probably have fun," he said. "I did it my first year and had fun and have been coming back ever since."
There were only two people showing feeder calves Wednesday night, Avery Faulkner and Rebecca Grady. Grady place first in Junior Showmanship and Faulkner placed first in Senior Showmanship. Faulkner also won Grand and Reserve Best in Show because he was showing two calves.
Novice Goat Showmanship winners:
*First place, Caleb Heath
*Second place, Daniel Dunn
*Third place, Abigail Johnson
*Fourth place, Caroline Grady
Junior Goat Showmanship winners:
*First place, Alec Linton
*Second place, Randa Boykin
*Third place, Rachel McCullen
*Fourth place, Courtney Outlaw
*Fifth place, Mary Dunn
*Sixth place, Clay Grady
Senior Goat Showmanship winners:
*First place, Avery Faulkner
*Second place, Elizabeth Rowe
*Third place, Amanda Wheaton
*Fourth place, Marisa Linton
*Fifth place, Bradley Glover
*Sixth place, Holly Stevens
*Seventh place, Chelsea Outlaw
*Eighth place, Adam McCullen