MOUNT VERNON — Judge Jenna Barbour has judged showmanship at fairs across the country.
But she said the best senior showmen for beef she has seen nationwide were among the top showmen of the Knox County Fair’s senior showmanship class Wednesday.
“Phenomenal, phenomenal set of senior showmen,” Barbour said.
The competition for senior showmanship was tight, but Walhonding’s Ellie Kidwell, 18, ultimately came out on top and then went on to win the title of master showman for beef.
Wednesday was Kidwell’s third time winning master showman, she said, but that did not detract from the pride she felt achieving the title once more.
“We really do have a good set of showmen here,” Kidwell said. “It’s an honor to win.”
This is Kidwell’s last year in 4-H, as she will age out at her next birthday. She has been working with cattle for approximately a decade.
“I got my first animal in 2010,” Kidwell said.
Kidwell currently attends Kansas State University and will be a sophomore come the fall.
Although her time in 4-H is coming to a close, she plans to continue showing cattle through the Ohio Angus Association and the youth program BEST, which stands for Beef Exhibitor Show Total.
“I’m still working with cows, not done at all,” Kidwell said.
Kidwell’s piece of advice for children just getting started with showmanship: get involved.
“The more you get involved, the more you’re going to learn,” Kidwell said. “Even if you don’t win, you’re going to have good experiences and you’re going to learn something.”
Kidwell also works at Round Hill Dairy ice cream shop and is working its booth at the fair.
“I’m just excited to be here,” she said. “Last fair, kind of bittersweet.”
Kidwell placed first for the senior 15 years-and-older showmanship class.
Mount Vernon’s Brandon Hogg from Boots and Banners placed first for the intermediate 12- to 14-year-old showmanship class.
Fredericktown’s Kellen Algire placed first for the junior 9- through 11-year-old showmanship class.
Centerburg’s Addison McGuire placed first for first year showmanship, 8- through 11-year-olds.
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