SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Sixty young livestock exhibitors vied for the title of “Grand Champion Overall Master Showman” on Aug. 12 during the 2022 Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest.
The exhibitors, who were the winners of their respective 4-H county contests, showcased their skills and knowledge of animal husbandry at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
This prestigious competition invites 4-H members ages 14-18 years to display their showmanship skills across three species – beef, sheep and swine. The 4-Hers were judged on their ability to handle each animal, knowledge of the species and animal husbandry, as well as overall showmanship skills.
Three winners were named for each species and scores for all three species were tallied to determine the top ten winners overall. This year’s contest winners are:
Grand Champion Overall Master Showman — Carter Hoge of Good Hope, representing McDonough County. He is the son of Mark and Katie Hoge.
Reserve Grand Champion Overall Master Showman — Taylor Crouch of Maroa, representing Macon County. She is the daughter of Cassie and Jeremy Crouch.
Third Place Overall — Lauren Mohr of Carlock, representing McLean County. She is the daughter of Brian and Jill Mohr.
Fourth Place Overall — Kyle Bird of Princeville, representing Peoria County. He is the son of Josh and Kim Bird.
Fifth Place Overall — Cole Paulek of Stonington, representing Christian County. He is the son of Craig and Katie Paulek.
Sixth Place Overall — Liz Hayden of Elmwood, representing Fulton County. She is the daughter of Gina and Matt Hayden.
Seventh Place Overall — Tyler Hall of Monroe Center, representing Ogle County. He is the son of Brian and Janet Hall.
Eighth Place Overall — Aubrey Killey of Berwick, representing Warren County. She is the daughter of DeNeene and Kevin Killey.
Ninth Place Overall — Paris Van Dyke of Louisville, representing Clay County. She is the daughter of Joe and Katrina Van Dyke.
Tenth Place Overall — McKenna Merritt of Carthage, representing Hancock County. She is the daughter of Matthew and Michelle Merritt.
Champion Beef Division — Carter Hoge of Good Hope, representing McDonough County. He is the son of Mark and Katie Hoge.
Reserve Champion Beef Division — Kyle Bird of Princeville, representing Peoria County. He is the son of Josh and Kim Bird.
Third Place Beef Division — Sophie Trainor of Tower Hill, representing Shelby County. She is the daughter of Chuck and Ellen Trainor.
Champion Swine Division — Carter Hoge of Good Hope, representing McDonough County. He is the son of Mark and Katie Hoge.
Reserve Champion Swine Division — Delaney Hemann of Carlinville, representing Madison County. She is the daughter of Mike and Taki Hemann and Jeff and Jenny Weems.
Third Place Swine Division — Hannah Miller of Chatsworth, representing Livingston County. She is the daughter of Matt and Tammy Miller.
Champion Sheep Division — Taylor Crouch of Maroa, representing Macon County. She is the daughter of Cassie and Jeremy Crouch.
Reserve Champion Sheep Division — Liz Hayden of Elmwood, representing Fulton County. She is the daughter of Gina and Matt Hayden.
Third Place Sheep Division — Kashen Ellerbrock of Atkinson, representing Henry County. He is the son of Jeff and Kelly Ellerbrock.
Nearly $8,000 worth of prizes donated by sponsors were awarded this year. First, second, and third place overall winners received $500, $400, and $300 cash (respectively), a new show box and other various prizes. Fourth and fifth place overall received a $200 and $100 cash (respectively) and an embroidered boot bag. Sixth through 10th place overall winners received a $25 gift card and a Bluetooth speaker.
Each species division winner received a $100 gift card and a zero-gravity chair. Each contest participant received a t-shirt, bucket, and $25 gift card.
This year marked the 22nd Annual Master Showmanship Contest held at the Illinois State Fair. This year’s contest was hosted by Illinois Farm Bureau and the RFD Radio Network. Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert Jr. presented the awards. Congratulations to these outstanding young livestock exhibitors!
— Illinois Farm Bureau