- Aug 21, 2020

COMMUNITY - "It's about the kids; showmanship competition goes on"

TREMONTON – By Cari Doutre – August 21, 2020

Publishers note: The Valley Headliner - BRVNEWS.com wants to support and recognize all participants in the Box Elder Junior Livestock programs - especially this year as many events have been cancelled. Please contact us if private showmanship competitions will be held this year. We will happily cover that event and give the kids the recognition they deserve. Contact us at (435) 279-0553 or email us at: valleyheadliner@gmail.com - Cari Doutre, The Valley Headliner - BRVNEWS.com, Owner/Publisher

Let the showmanship competition go on!

As many of this year’s Box Elder County Fair events were cancelled this year because of the current COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, it meant finding a way to recognize and support those kids that have worked hard all year with their animals.

All showmanship competitions that are normally part of the Box Elder Junior Livestock program during the Box Elder County Fair, were cancelled this year. However, the general livestock shows are still scheduled and will be livestreaming via Bear River Live all next week. Find more information on that HERE.

Modifications during the COVID-19 pandemic have also been made to the Box Elder Junior Livestock auction this year. There will be no in-person bidding and instead all bids and boosts will be done online in a virtual auction. Find more information on that HERE.

So what can be done to show support and appreciation for the kids that have worked hard all year preparing their livestock projects? How about a private showmanship competition?

That was exactly what supporters in the junior livestock hog program did on Thursday, August 20.

“When the county decided to not do a showmanship competition at the fair this year due to COVID-19, we (Bar V Farms) were very disappointed,” said Kirsten Call, one of the many supporters of the program.

“We brainstormed ideas of putting on a private showmanship competition that was not affiliated with the county in any way,” Call added.

The competition was held at a private indoor barn in Tremonton owned by the Stephens family in Tremonton. Next up was finding the perfect name for this unaffiliated showmanship competition.

“We decided on the name ‘It’s About the Kids Showmanship Classic.’ We chose the name because it truly is about the kids. These kids put so much effort into their animals all year and have already had so many things cancelled lately. We wanted them to be able to be recognized for all their hard work,” Call said.

Story continues below...

McKenna Ward, August 20, 2020, Tremonton, Utah - Photo by Cari Doutre/BRVNEWS.com

Call was just one of many supporters that helped organize and put together a private showmanship competition for this year’s participants in the junior livestock hog program. In total the competition had 40 youth participants ages 4-18.

In addition to working hands, supportive parents and willing youth participants, the private showmanship competition also had several generous businesses, organizations and individuals help sponsor the event. Find a list of those sponsors below.

The competition also had a special judge there to offer his unbiased support – Jared Roach from Spanish Fork.

“The night was so successful. Everyone had so much fun showing their skills,” said Call.