Carla Clark | For The Republic The livestock pavillion is filled with people watching AJ Williams, at left, judge the contestants and their animals during the 2023 Bartholomew County 4-H barrow show at the Bartholomew County fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
Hundreds of spectators gathered for one of the most popular 4-H projects at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair, exhibiting barrows.
Nearly 300 spectators were watching Tuesday as show judge A.J. Williams of Clay County made his selections for top barrow in each class.
4-H veteran Gracie Greene won both the grand champion barrow and grand champion county born and raised barrow trophies.
The reserve grand champion barrow honors went to Brody Hege, while Jacob Burbrink took home the award for reserve grand champion born and raised barrow.
There was some disruption as some of the exhibitors kept their barrows under control inside and outside the rink.
Farmer and 4-H parent Trevor Glick says new surroundings and loud noises inside the livestock barn are likely what made a number of pigs act up.
“They’re used to being walked every day on the farm, where the stress level is minimal,” Glick said. “But the change of scenery and crowds is likely what causes them to get over-excited.”
Glick’s 11-year-old son, Eli, came in fourth during a six-person Duroc division. The St. Bartholomew student said he learns more about his strengths and weakness during each competition.
“I feel I’m good at getting a connection with my pig,” Eli said. “But I feel I also need to work on better behavior (from the animal) and getting the pig to react better to the whip.”
One of the big winners of the morning competition was 11-year-old Burbrink, who earned championship honors in the heavily-competitive Duroc division. During Monday’s Gilt show, his sisters, Grace and Ellie, said there is little sibling rivalry in their family.
Jacob, an incoming fifth-grader, said that’s true back at the farm where he and his sisters work as a team.
“But when we come to the fair and get into the ring, it’s every man for himself,” Jacob said with a chuckle.
In the Berkshire competition, Caitlyn Smith won her six-person division. The 18-year-old recent graduate of Columbus East High School will complete her time in 4-H after Saturday’s livestock auction.
“It’s been a really great 10 years with a lot of great friends and great memories made along the way,’ the daughter of Todd and Jeni Smith.
Reflecting back, Caitlyn said her biggest passion during her years in 4-H was mentoring younger children in the goat competition.
