2 rise to the top of 12 contestants during the Junior Fair Super Showmanship competition

LANCASTER − The Fairfield County Junior Fair Super Showmanship competition was back this year for another successful showcase of Fairfield County's youth. This event put 12 contestants ability to show an animal to the test.

Fairfield Union junior Cole Rowley won the large animal division and Bloom-Carroll junior Chase Hamilton won the small animal division.

Leslie Cooksey, a 4-H educator with Ohio State University Extension, explained what the competition is all about.

"Super showmanship is an opportunity for our 4-H and FFA members who have won their senior showmanship age division in their respective species to come and compete against their peers by showing other species of livestock," said Cooksey.

The 12 contestants were tested by showing a dairy beef feeder, beef animal, market hog, sheep, dairy goat, market goat, pygmy goat, horse, alpaca, poultry, rabbit, dog, and cavy.

After his win in the large animal division, Rowley said that it meant a lot to see all of his hard work pay off.

"I've spent a lot of time working not only with my project but with other people, asking them questions about what to do with their species," said Rowley. "So, it means a lot to win today."

Rowley, who is a member of the Fairfield Union FFA, typically works with sheep. However, for the Super Showmanship contest he had to show his knowledge of all the large animals.

"I have to thank my agriculture teachers, in the classes that I take at Fairfield Union, they prepare you for the general knowledge of livestock," said Rowley. "How to evaluate what to look for, so a lot of that comes from my classes."

Rowley spoke to what these events mean to him and his fellow participants.

"A lot of it is just community," he said. "You have people around you that are going to support you. They have the same passion as you, the same drive as you, and it's really enriching to know that. That's something that 4-H, FFA, and the fair week bring to me."

Moments after being named winner of the small animal division, Bloom-Carroll FFA member Hamilton spoke to what his time at this week's fair has meant to him.

"With the culmination of a year's work with my pygmy goats, working and learning about a bunch of other animals, and coordinating with other people in the community, it's been a great time to meet new people, make new friends, and have a good time," he said.

Hamilton, who typically specializes in pygmy goats, described the work that he had to put in over the past year to claim the top prize.

"It's a lot of studying and working with the animals," said Hamilton. "It's a lot of knowledge base as well. Having to read about different things, about chickens and poultry, whether it be guinea pigs or pygmy goats, it all comes together. It's a lot of learning, watching YouTube videos, using your resources not only at the fair, but on the internet, online, and the friends you make along the way to learn how to reach these goals."

To conclude, Hamilton cited his love for his country as a primary reason that these types of events are so meaningful to him.

"I'm a very patriotic American," said Hamilton. "Agriculture is the most important industry in the nation. So, ensuring that our youth are educated and inspired to be a part of that is super important. It's important that we make sure all Americans, especially American youth, are ready and prepared to learn about agriculture and participate in that process."

Aaron Burd is a breaking news and government reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him via email at AMBurd@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @AaronMBurd.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Winners of Fairfield County Junior Fair Super Showmanship competition