In showmanship, patience pays off

Both Lizzy Schoenlein and Klarisa Hemmelgarn had their challenges.
Schoenlein was paired with a horse that didn’t want to stand still.
Hemmelgarn was dealing with a dog that didn’t want to stand at all.
But neither girl let the difficulties phase them as they walked away with the Jay County 4-H supreme showmanship trophies Thursday evening.
“I’m relieved now that it’s done, but I’m glad I won,” said Schoenlein, who took the large animal title in her second try. “It was a rough day for me. (Beef barn superintendent) Nancy (Snyder) just said it was the hardest-earned supreme championship.”
Hemmelgarn said she was surprised to come away with the win in her first year in the small animal competition.
“It feels absolutely amazing,” she said. “It was exciting, stressful all at once. It was just a great opportunity for me.”
The champions had their challenges in the competition, which involves showing each species of animal with the exception of the one for which the competitor earned the spot in the competition. Animals to be shown are selected via blind draw.
Schoenlein’s issue came right at the beginning of the large animal competition, as her horse refused to stay in one place. She continually circled the animal to try to get him in the correct position.
“The horse just wouldn’t stand still for me,” said Schoenlein, who also had a rowdy animal during the meat goat portion of the competition. “I had it set up and it just kept moving.
“I kinda kept my cool, or tried to at least, and that helped me out. Everything else was pretty good.”
Hemmelgarn’s challenge came when she was showing a dog, the only animal in the competition with which she did not have previous experience. The dog continually wanted to sit down, rather than standing to be viewed by the judge.
“My dog sat a bunch, but I kept going with it and eventually I got through it,” she said. “You have to keep your composure, just stay calm and keep doing your best.”
Both girls noted that they felt good about the rest of the animals they showed. In many ways, experience paid off.
Schoenlein, who was representing the beef barn, is a nine-year member who started in 4-H with pigs and has also showed goats. Hemmelgarn, who advanced from the cat competition, is a seven-year member who has showed rabbits, goats, turkeys and pigs in her career.
Other competitors Thursday in the small animal competition were ShyAnn Harker (rabbits), Asilyn Davis (poultry) and Harley Rittenhouse (dogs). Joining Schoenlein in the large animal competition were Sarah Schwieterman (horse), Caylan Rockwood (dairy goat), Alli Campbell (swine), Carter Homan (dairy beef), Gabe Link (sheep), Eden Basford (meat goat) and Carissa Mercer (dairy).
The winners agreed that part of the fun of the show is getting to spend time with the other competitors.
“It’s just a fun atmosphere,” Schoenlein said.