Juniors steal the show at inter-county dairy competition
By Ann Marie Chechalk
The 4-H inter-county dairy show is an annual event first started at the Lincoln County Fair many years ago.
This year the show took place at the West Niagara Fairgrounds in the warmth and comfort of the Richardson Building, on Saturday, Sept. 12, which arrived with great weather.
To start, the showmen escort their calves in to the showring, to be judged by Mr. Grant Armstrong of Millbrook. Under his watchful eye, Armstrong welcomed clubs from Haldimand, Lincoln, and Wainfleet. Members of 4-H came with their calves to compete in conformation, showmanship and herdsman classes. These finely dressed showmen and their groomed calves, put a lot of hard work into the training of their project calves over the spring and summer. There were 78 4-H members who participated in the show.
Novices of nine to 11 years of age enter the showring first. Calmly and capably they walk their well-groomed animals all the while keeping an eye on the judge. The top first and second place showmen, Addison Mous-Hili of the Lincoln Calf Club and Alyssa Tiersma of the Haldimand Calf Club, will return to compete for Grand Champion Showperson later in the show.
Armstrong commended the way the showman in first had the most control of her calf and set her calf up quickly, though the competition was close.
“The showman in second had her calf set up correctly every time I looked over,” Armstrong said.
Next the Juniors from 12 to 14 years of age bring their animals into the ring. Kaylee Hart, of the Lincoln Calf Club, places first and Chloe Mous-Hili, of Lincoln, places second.
“The first place showman,” said the judge, “had good control of her calf and you could tell she had spent a lot of time working with this calf to prepare for the shows. The second place showman gets the feet and legs set up well.”
They now get a short break to relax as the Intermediate members from 15 to 17 enter the show ring.
The top first and second place Intermediate showmen, Janna Furry of Lincoln and Kate Kemper of Lincoln, will return to compete for Grand Champion Showperson. Once again they showed great skill
“The first place showmen got her heifer set up quickly and correctly. The showman in second place also set up well with good control,” Armstrong said.
The next group of members 18 to 21 years of age have spent many years in 4-H honing their showing skills and learning to calm their nerves and their calves while doing the best job possible before the attentive judge. Armstrong takes his time as he must choose the top two from an outstanding group of 4-H showmen. He selects Simon Heeringa of the Lincoln Calf Club as he is calm, smooth and comfortable in the ring. Tyler Gilbert of the Wainfleet Dairy Club is also relaxed in the show ring. These showmen will also return for the last showmanship class of Grand Champion.
The eight competitors enter the show ring once again. All calves are being led slowly; all eyes are on the judge. Armstrong chooses Junior Showperson Kaylee Hart as the 2026 grand champion showperson, and Chloe Mous-Hili, also a Junior showperson, receives the honour of reserve champion showperson with Simon Heeringa receiving honorable mention.
“Our top showman is calm and composed,” said the judge, “she is paying attention and has her animal set up correctly.
Grassie’s John McDougall and family sponsor the award for this deserving showman.
Although the next classes are conformation classes and the judge is now looking at the calves and not the showman, a skilled showperson sets his calf up so the judge can see to their best advantage all the conforming qualities of a well grown animal.
Here are the first and second place winners in each category:
Spring Heifer Calf class born between March 1 and May 31, 2026: Addison Mous-Hili with Royal Lynn Champagne Jewel, who had style and strength in the front end, and Chantal Sikking with Braejan Master Stacey.
Winter Heifer Calf class, born between Dec. 1, 2025 and Feb. 28, 2026: Kaylee Hart with Royal Lynn Leyser P. Halleluiah, who had style and width overall, and Sadie Morgan with Brookturn Illustrator Lexus.
Fall Heifer Class, born between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30, 2025: Chloe-Mous-Hili with Gracehaven RL Alpha Crimson, who had style and overall length, and Janna Furry with Brookturn Hijack Havanna.
Summer Yearling born between June 1, 2025 and Aug. 31, 2025: Allie Heastont with Keylas Ambrose Samoa, who carried herself more stylishly, and James Knutt with Beslea Colton Samantha.
Spring Yearling born between March 1 and May 31, 2025: Tyler Gilbert with Marshview Victoria Paddington, with power and dairy strength, and Emma Smith with Mapletier Actionman Millie.
The first and second place winners from each class return to the showring.
The Grand Champion Calf is “to be commended for her dairy strength and straightness in the hind legs and depth of flank,” says the judge. The Grand Champion Calf for today will be Addison Mous-Hili with Royal Lynn Champagne Jewel and the Reserve Champion Calf will be Kaylee Hart with Royal Lynn Leyser P. Halleluiah.
Wellandport’s Freurehaven Farms sponsor the prize to the winning calf.
The Best Group of Four Calves and the Romagnoli Family prizes are taken home by the Lincoln Dairy Club.
In the Herdsman Competition the first place winner is the Wainfleet Club. They receive a cash prize from the West Niagara Agricultural Society.
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