Day four of the 2018 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo kicked off with a bang as participants rang in the 4th of July. Senior and junior showmanship classes began at 8 a.m. sharp with showmen exhibiting their talent in a dual-ring setup.

In a fierce competition, the top 10 seniors were selected to return for an evening fitting contest to determine champion senior showman. After narrowing the field from 16 heats in the morning, Jon and Melissa Davis, Rio Grande, Ohio, and Eric Eldridge, Bruneau, Idaho, named Tyler Allan, Schulenburg, Texas, as champion showman with Austin Matheny, Mays Lick, Ky, in reserve.

The other finalists were: third place — Rylee Barber, Channing, Texas; fourth place
— Kagney Collins, Flanagan, Ill.; fifth place — Shayne Myers, Thedford, Neb.; sixth place — Austin Breeding, Miami, Texas; seventh place — Miles Stagemeyer, Page, Neb.; eighth place — Casey Jensen, Courtland, Kan.; ninth place — Morgan Lowderman, Macomb, Ill.; and 10th place — Payton Farmer, Brownstown, Ind.

Meanwhile, the juniors battled it out with judges Brady Jensen, Brookings, S.D., and Cody Beck, Stillwater, Okla. In the end, Chase Harker, Hope, Ind., took home the champion title and reserve champion was Tyree Figge, Onaga, Kan.

The intermediate, judged by the Davis’, and peewee and pre-peewee divisions, judged by Jensen and Beck, put on an outstanding afternoon show. In the intermediate division, Mason Allan, Schulenburg, Texas, was named the champion showman and Tar Tat, Rushford, Minn., was reserve. In the peewee show, Beau Ann Graves, Chillocothe, Mo., was named champion peewee showman and Morgan Huls, Saint Joseph, Ill., was reserve champion peewee.

Before settling in to watch the senior showmanship drive, Sure Champ hosted a nutritional clinic, complete with various challenges and activities for participants. The night concluded by celebrating the 4th of July with the entire Hereford family at the tailgate party.

Additional showmanship results


Intermediate

3th place – Audrey Nolan, Gilmer, Texas

4th place – Jace Stagemeyer, Page, Neb.

5th place – Samantha Wallace, Kansas, Ohio

6th place – Miranda Iager, Woodbine, Md.

7th place – Chance Clark, Muldrow, Okla.

8th place – Lauren McMillan, Tiskilwa, Ill.

9th place – Macy Curry, Okemah, Okla.

10th place – Kathryn Anne Coleman, Modesto, Calif.

Junior

3rd place – Ella Jacobs, Frederick, Md.

4th place – Kesler Collins, Flanagan, Ill.

5th place – Ty Bickelhaupt, Mount Carroll, Ill.

6th place – Jase Bletz, Galva, Kan.

7th place – Collin Deatsman, Leesburg, Ind.

8th place – Makayla Luckie, Alvarado, Texas

9th place – Carlisle Braman, Refugio, Texas

10th place – Cadence Harris, Salado, Texas

Peewee

3rd place – Cierra Collins, Chattanooga, Okla.

4th place – Kennedy Rice, Columbus Junction, Iowa

5th place – Bentley London, Collinsville, Texas

6th place – Cora Belle Chapman, Seneca, Ill.

7th place – Roxton Stone, Stanton, Texas

8th place – Chad Shelton, Frederick, Okla.

9th place – Grady Carter, Stratford, Okla.

10th place – Grady Cole Creamer, Waxahachie, Texas