After months of hard work to raise a prize-winning barrow, 4-H’ers know judges always consider a pig’s overall appearance during the competition.
Nearly 260 swine entries — ranging from 165 to 305 pounds — were on display at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair Barrow Show and Showmanship competition in the fair’s show arena on Tuesday.
Grace Burbrink won grand champion barrow in the competition, and does plan to sell it in Saturday’s fair auction, fair officials said Thursday.
Cailyn Arnholt, 18, a 10-year 4-H’er who was showing a Berkshire barrow for her final year at the fair, said it was a great feeling to go out and show an animal, showing the judge how much hard work has been put into raising it.
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Arnholt, who will be a freshman this fall at Ball State University, said she felt prepared coming into the competition, but tried to make the most of her experience this year since it is her final year in 4-H.
“I’m not looking forward to it ending, but I’m very thankful to do it for 10 years,” she said.
A.J. Williams, who operates Williams Show Pigs, of Cory, Indiana, judged the competition, which had 39 classes with 12 different breeds and crossbreeds competing. About 150 people watched.
There are several things to look for when a barrow enters the show ring, Williams said.
“You’ll put a little bit more emphasis on muscularity and carcass orientation,” Williams said. “Some breeds are known more for muscle. It’s all a visual evaluation, I guess you would say.”
Competitors such as 12-year-old Gracie Greene saw her hard work pay off after her barrow was named champion 4-H Berkshire barrow.
Greene was competing at the fair with her 9-year-old sister Laynie and said her No. 1 goal was trying to keep her 255-pound barrow focused on keeping his head up while the judge was evaluating him in the arena.
Her mother, Ashley Harker, said her daughter’s award represented how much work Gracie had put into caring for the animal.
It turns out some of that care involves enticing a stubborn barrow to cooperate with a 4-H’er trying to keep him exercised and clean prior to the show.
Just ask 13-year-old Madelyn Speer, who was in the livestock barn getting ready to wash her pig Dorito before entering the show arena. Speer has been showing pigs for five years and said she got her barrow about a month and a half ago and had been working with him since.
Speer said she’s fed the animal marshmallows and Oreo cookies as a way of training him to cooperate in the show ring.
“You have to walk him constantly,” she said.
Her father, Marcus, said her daughter’s involvement in 4-H follows a family tradition. He has been a 4-H group leader for 24 years.
“It’s a family affair, we do this together,” he said.
Speer said 4-H is meant to help youths develop life skills they can use in the future.
“It’s not about the ribbon or the trophy,” he said.
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TODAY: JULY 14 MORALES 4 COUNCIL DAY
9 a.m.: 4-H Rocket Demonstration, Grandstand
11 a.m.: 4-H Barbeque Contest, David Boll Theatre
4 p.m.: 4-H Supreme Showmanship for Horse and Pony, Goat, Rabbit and Poultry. Begins at Horse and Pony Arena, then moves to Livestock Pavilion
5 p.m.: Lil’ Hands on the Farm, 4-H Community Building, Family Arts, and Commercial Buildings open
5 p.m.: Midway opens
6 p.m.: 4-H Parade of Champions, Livestock Pavilion
6:30 p.m.: Lil’ Wrangler Horse and Pony, Horse Arena
7 p.m.: Jonnie Fox acoustic folk music, David Boll Theatre
7 p.m.: 4-H Supreme Showmanship for Beef, Dairy, Sheep and Swine, Pavilion with the 4-H Livestock Awards
7 p.m.: Mount Liberty Way Band, Farm Bureau Building
7 p.m.: All-terrain vehicle/utility-task vehicle mud bog, Grandstand
10 p.m.: Midnight Madness on Midway, $12 wristbands until 1 a.m.
SATURDAY, JULY 15
MENSENDIEK’S AUCTION SERVICE & REAL ESTATE DAY
7:30 a.m.: Livestock Auction Buyers Breakfast, Pavilion
8:15 a.m.: 4-H Livestock Sale, Pavilion
5 p.m.: 4-H Community Building, Family Arts, and Commercial Buildings open
5 p.m.: Midway Opens, $23 wristbands until close
7 p.m.: Demolition Derby, Grandstand
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Want to make the photos you take at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair photos extra cool?
The fair board is offering up a different Snapchat filter for each day of the fair.
Take a photo at the fair, then take a swipe on Snapchat, and you’ll find some fun fair filters. Don’t forget to enable location.
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Barrow Show
Grand champion: Grace Burbrink
Reserve grand champion: Zach O’Connor
Grand Champion County Born & Raised: Grace Burbrink
Reserve Grand Champion County Born & Raised: Emma Wischmeier
Showmanship grand champion: Makenna Jackson
Showmanship reserve grand champion: Jake O’Connor
Gilt Show
Grand Champion: Grace Burbrink
Reserve Grand Champion: Josie Burbrink
Grand Champion County Born & Raised: Grace Burbrink
Reserve Grand Champion County Born & Raised: Josie Burbrink
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