Livestock show continues today
By Steve Herring
Published in News on April 12, 2012 1:46 PM
News-Argus/ALLISON CARTER
Almond, Ginny Simpson's goat, looks at the camera as Simpson, top left, and other handlers pose for photos Wednesday at the Wayne County Junior Livestock Show.
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News-Argus/ALLISON CARTER
Judge Billy Lewis talks to Maddy Sutton about her goat during Wednesday's competition.
DUDLEY -- Maddy Sutton, 6, and her 5-year-old cousin, Ricky Lupper, both of Mount Olive, hardly glanced up from their determined efforts to open stubborn candy wrappers Wednesday night as a goat shot past them headed for the door and freedom.
The animal was quickly corralled and the two children returned to their candy -- a post-show celebration of their wins in the 64th annual Wayne County Junior Livestock Show and Sale at the Wayne County Regional Fairgrounds.
Youths from ages 5 to 19 showed meat goats and feeder calves Wednesday night and the second day of the event got under way at 9 a.m. this morning with the Junior Market Hog Show.
A costume contest will start at 5:30 p.m. today, followed at 6 p.m. by the "City Slicker" contest. Show awards will be presented at 7 p.m. and the sale will start at 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Wayne County Livestock Development Association in cooperation with the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, the show has 62 youths participating, including 38 showing 42 goats; three showing three calves; and 35 showing 51 hogs.
It was the first show for Ricky, who took third place in showmanship in the novice category. Maddy, who competed last year, won first place in showmanship and third place in meat goat. The children were showing goats for J Holiday Farms of Mount Olive.
Maddy said her favorite part of the show was walking around the ring and that her goat, Sweet Tart, obeys her. She said she became interested in the show because she has an older brother and sister who have shown animals.
"And I wanted to do it. Mine is not hard-headed," she said. "He's behaved."
Both children said that the best tip for people showing goats is to keep their eyes on the judge, even when the animal does not behave.
Ricky said he wasn't nervous and was ready to compete again.
He said that his goat, Sponge Bob, minded him "a little."
"Whenever I was holding it I was holding it with one hand," he said. "It felt like it was going to go so I held it with both hands."
Several of the children had to contend with unruly goats that bucked, ran or just generally misbehaved.
Maddy said she had been surprised when it was announced she had won first place.
While Ricky and Maddy were just starting their career with the show, Vivian Rowe of Dudley moved closer to the ring to watch her daughter, Elizabeth, 19, compete for the last time after almost nine years and countless shows.
Mrs. Rowe has been to all of them.
"It (final show) is exciting and nerve wracking at the same time," she said.
Elizabeth will soon graduate this year from Wayne Community College with her high school diploma and a two-year associate degree. She plans to attend Mount Olive College for a degree in agri-science and agribusiness. She wants to be a 4H agent.
While she was somewhat saddened, Mrs. Rowe said it would also be relaxing not having to attend so many shows.
Elizabeth, who has participated since she was 10 years old, said the show was "bittersweet" as she ended her career adding a second place reserve champion to her trophy collection.
"Every year it seems like I have learned more and more," Miss Rowe said. "It is getting ready for me to move on and to find better things, but this show and sale will always be in my background. It has always taught me how to be a good sportsman. It has taught me about an industry.
"Going into the ring tonight it was a great experience. I am sad that I am not going to get to show anymore, but it has been great, really great.
"I have made a lot of friendships that are going to last forever," she said. "I am just sad that I am leaving. I love this place. I love being in the show and sale."
Goat Showmanship winners were:
Seniors:
* Hunter Graham, first place
* Elizabeth Rowe, second place
* Ginny Simpson, third place
* Bradley Glover, fourth place
* Alec Linton, fifth place.
Juniors:
* Jordan Lindsay, first place
* Alan Johnson, second place
* Kristen Lane, third place
* Tyler Lane, fourth place
* Caleb Heath, fifth place.
Novice:
* Maddy Sutton, first place
* Gabrielle Young, second place
* Ricky Lupper, third place
* Keiley Severson, fourth place
*. Isaac Hines, fifth place.
For the market classes, the winners and grand/reserve goats were:
* Class 1: Adam McCullen
* Class 2: Danielle Fail
* Class 3: Rachel McCullen
* Class 4: Jordan Lindsay.
Grand champion was an 85-pound goat owned by Rachel McCullen. Reserve champion was a 69-pound goat owned by Danielle Fail.
For steers (feeder calves), there were three exhibitors: Rebecca Grady, Caleb Heath, and Jensen Barwick. That was the placing order of showmanship.
Grand champion calf went to Heath with his 700 lb. calf and reserve went to Miss Grady with her 700 lb. calf.