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MANSFIELD — Reece Cook is ending her junior fair career on top.
The 18-year-old was declared the showman of showmen Friday afternoon after nearly two hours of competition at the Richland County Fair.
“I’m pretty excited. This is my last year and after a good run at the state fair and the sheep show Monday, this is a pretty good ending to my career,” she said.
Cook is no stranger to the arena. She’s spent the last decade showing animals.
She started showing rabbits, hogs, goats and cattle, then found her niche in sheep.
Friday marked her third time competing in the showmanship competition at the county level. Cook also took top honors in this year’s Ohio State Fair senior showmanship competition.
Her advice to younger exhibitors is to be humble and hungry.
“Make your mark everyday,” the Clear Fork FFA member said. “You never know what little kids are watching you and you’ve always got to be a good role model. You always have to be pushing forward, working at your best, even when you’re upset about something.”
“Be nice, work hard, exhibit your animals, and do your best. That’s all you can do,” she added.
Cook will be a freshman at Lincoln Land Community College this fall, where she’s studying agribusiness. She’ll also take some classes in agronomy and animal science.
She said she’s grateful for the lessons and opportunities that have come from showing.
“I’ve been able to go across the county to exhibit livestock. I’ve been able to meet people from Texas, Oklahoma,” she said. “It’s just been amazing.”
Showmanship tests knowledge and skill across eight animal species
The showman of showmen competition features eight junior fair exhibitors each year. The contest focuses on an exhibitors’ knowledge and ability to handle eight different animal species — horses, rabbits, chickens, sheep, goats, cattle, alpaca and hogs.
Each species with different expectations for how the animal is presented, held or led around the arena.
The skill-based competition requires youth to handle animals they might not be familiar with — practicing ahead of time is highly encouraged.
“Kids had to check with other exhibitors to get a quick tutorial on how to show the other animals and that’s part of the fun,” said Trudi Tilton, who recently took over as junior fair coordinator.
Tilton said several competitors were nervous, but that was typical.
“I keep stressing, this is about having some fun while you’re learning some new stuff,” she said.
Lena Creed of Ontario earned the title of reserve grand champion, representing the Next Generation 4-H Club. Creed plans to attend The Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster in the fall.
Other showmanship competitors included Jordan Tedrow (Branded Pony 4-H Club and Lucas FFA), Emma Blanton (Next Generation 4-H Club), Fin Rowland (Next Generation 4-H), Grant Freeman (Clear Fork FFA) Benjamin Miller (Ring Raider 4-H Club) and Karlie Walp (Shelby FFA).
