Where's the beef? On the fairgrounds

COSHOCTON — At least two young ladies competing for their first time in beef judging won top honors Monday in Coshocton County Junior Fair competition in Hunter Arena.

Allie McCoy, 15, a River View High School sophomore, took first with Daisy, her Black Angus breeding heifer.

"This is actually my first year at showing a cow," Allie said. "My brother started showing them and he really got into showing them, so I thought I would try it."

Her brother, Coshocton County Fair King Collin McCoy, 18, a River View senior, was scheduled to show a market steer and feeder calf in competition Monday.

"I've worked pretty hard this year," he said. "Hopefully, my hard work pays off."

Collin's market hogs did quite well Sunday, earning Reserve Champion Gilt, Reserve Champion Barrow and overall Reserve Champion Market Hog.

Allie's hogs didn't do as well. She earned second in showmanship, fifth in barrow and sixth in gilt.

"Not my best year," she said.

Still, she held out hope that Daisy could earn Best of Show later in the day.

"She was born on our farm (Barnstone Cattle), so that would be real cool," she said.

Jayden Rice's Maine-Anjou calf won her category's championship Monday, placing the calf in the running for Supreme Female, according to Carrie Linton, Jayden's mom.

That was Jayden's "first win in cows, We did pretty good in pigs last night," Carrie said.

Jayden is 9, and attends fourth grade at Keene Elementary. This is the first year she has been eligible to compete in the Junior Fair, but she has already shown animals for fun and experience.

"She learns responsibility. She's gaining confidence. That was our big goal this year," Carrie said.

Raising animals runs in the family. Carrie competed in her youth, mostly showing cattle raised on the family farm, Geo-5 Cattle, near Keene.

While her mother spoke with the Tribune, Jayden headed back out to the arena, struggling a bit to turn her Simmental around in tight quarters.

"When you're only 60 pounds, it's a little harder for you" Carrie said. "She pulls it off."

jwilliams6@gannett.com

740-295-3417

Twitter: @JoeTribune

Upcoming fair highlights

Tuesday

11:30 a.m.: Justin and Kyle Short, Rotary Pavilion

1 p.m.: Acme Music, Rotary Pavilion

5 p.m.: Tony Mazzai, Christian rock, Rotary Pavilion

7 p.m.: Open Truck and Tractor Pull, grandstand

Wedneday

5 p.m.: Richard McCune, Rotary Pavilion

5:30 p.m.: Showman of Showmen Contest, Hunter Arena

5:45 p.m.: Antique Tractor Parade, from the Antique Tractor Building to the grandstand

7:30 p.m.: Rough Truck Contest, grandstand