4-Hers garner master showmanship honors

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Sixty young livestock exhibitors vied for the title of Grand Champion Overall Master Showman on Aug. 9 during the 2024 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 five winners overall.

This year’s contest winners are:

• Grand Champion Overall Master Showman — Jaiden Mahler, of Kendall County, the daughter of Chad and Natalie Mahler.

• Reserve Grand Champion Overall Master Showman — Olivia Shike, of Champaign County, the daughter of Dan and Jennifer Shike.

• Third Place Overall — Aubrey Killey, of Warren County, the daughter of Kevin and DeNeene Killey.

• Fourth Place Overall — Cole Kinsella, of Stark County, the son of Jim and Joni Kinsella.

• Fifth Place Overall — Grace Lemenager, of Livingston County, the daughter of Chuck and Tori Lemenager.

Beef

• Champion Beef Division — Lemenager.

• Reserve Champion Beef Division — Mahler.

• Third Place Beef Division — Cody York, of Crawford County, the son of Joel and Missy York.

Swine

• Champion Swine Division — Mahler.

• Reserve Champion Swine Division — Taylor Huddlestun, of Jasper County, the daughter of Jamie and Felicia Huddlestun.

• Third Place Swine Division — Shike.

Sheep

• Champion Sheep Division — Blake Homann, of Coles County, the son of Brad and Ellen Homann.

• Reserve Champion Sheep Division — Karly Reel, of LaSalle County, the daughter of Scott and Sharon Reel.

• Third Place Sheep Division — Lilian Unger, of Kankakee County, the daughter of Shawn and Nora Unger.

Sponsors

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 other various prizes.

Each species division winner received a $100 gift card and a zero-gravity chair. Each contest participant received a T-shirt, bucket, harness and $25 gift card.

This year marked the 24th annual Master Showmanship Contest held at the Illinois State Fair. This year’s contest was hosted by Illinois Farm Bureau.

IFB President Brian Duncan and the 2024 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Natalie Evans presented the awards.