SIDNEY — A new feature at the Shelby County Fair this year was the Junior Fair Showmanship Sweepstakes, or Showman of Showman Competition.
Five competitors took the arena Saturday showing animals they weren’t used to showing. They took turns showing swine, goats, dairy, lambs, and beef. Each contestant wore a sign with their usual animal on their back, and sat out when it was their animal’s turn.
The contestants were: Carter Huelskamp, 18, of Anna, son of Chad and Tonya Huelskamp, for beef; Michaela Ambos, 14, of Anna, daughter of Mike and Jennifer Ambos, for market goats; John Smock, 12, of Jackson Center, son of Phil and Mary Lee Smock, for swine; Elizabeth Shatto, 12, of Fort Loramie, daughter of Jason and Heather Shatto, for lambs; and Trevor Greiwe, of Sidney, for dairy.
When the results were tallied there was a tie, creating an opportunity to ask the contestants questions relating to the animals they competed with. The judges asked them questions like “What are all the different types of dairy steers?” “What type of goats did they show?” and “What type of steers did they show?”
Once the results of the pop-quiz round were tallied it was announced Ambos, who usually shows market goats was the winner. She received a plaque and fold-able chair, sponsored by Lacal Equipment. Each other contestant received a participation plaque as well.
“The pigs were the hardest and the steers were the easiest,” Ambos said after winning. ” I was surprised I won, I didn’t know all the answers to the questions they asked us at the end.”
Ambos, a member of Anna Livestock, said this was her first time competing in something like this, and would do it again.
Shatto, who usually shows lambs, said the goats were the easiest.
“It was way different showing animals I’m not used to showing. It was weird, but fun,” she said.
Shatto, a member of Fort Loramie Livestock, said this was her first time doing something like this, and might do it again if she had the opportunity.
