Third time the charm for Showman of Showmen winner

COSHOCTON — The third time was the charm for Ridgewood freshman Waverly Reidenbach, who was the winner of this year's Showman of Showmen contest at the Coshocton County Fair.

This was the third year Reidenbach had been a part of the contest. The previous two times, she came in last place, so she was excited when she heard her name announced as the winner.

"This year I kind of really worked to study and talk to people in barns and learn how to do this and I guess it was all kind of luck this year," she said.

Maybe it was luck, but Reidenbach also has put a lot of time into showing her rabbits — which she won supreme sportsmanship in — and livestock, even quitting volleyball and basketball.

"I want to pursue a career in this, so this is awesome," she said.

It wasn't always easy for Reidenbach though, as her dairy cow became "spooked" and her lamb went "a little crazy," she said. But instead of getting flustered, she had to relax.

"You can't really get spooked either with (the animal)," she said. "You have to kind of push back, literally push it back into place and just show it that you are the boss."

Nine other contestants dealt with the same challenges Reidenbach did. Each contestant was chosen for the Showman of Showmen contest because they won the supreme contest for a certain species. To win, they needed to become experts in 11 species, not just one, and that is done on purpose, 4-H educator Jenny Strickler said.

"It forces them to learn," Strickler said. "It's really cool to watch them go find their friends that show the other animals and learn how to show (the animals) and learn about the other species."

It's not an easy thing to do: Ridgewood freshman Sydney Zinkon, who is the setter for the Generals 18th-ranked volleyball team in Division III, said it's harder than volleyball.

"Bigger animals sometimes like to push you around, and all the knowledge you have to know, you don't have to know as much about volleyball I would say," Zinkon said. "Setting is hard too though."

When it comes down to it, the knowledge and pushing around animals is one thing, but the frustration that comes with the contest adds to the experience.

"You have to realize that you have never handled that animal before and they don't know you," Reidenbach said. "You kind of have to let it warm up to you and you have to warm up to it."

cteaguerob@gannett.com

740-295-3442

Twitter: @cj_teague

Upcoming fair highlights

Thursday

10:30 a.m.: Skidsteer Rodeo, Outdoor Arena

5:30 p.m.: Junior Fair Auction Sale of Champions, Hunter Arena

7 p.m.: Motocoss, Grandstand