Showman of Showmen named

BUCYRUS - Ten competitors — all champions in their own rights — stood eagerly outside the show arena Friday at the Crawford County Fair awaiting the start of the Showman of Showmen contest.

The showmen each hoped to prove that they were the best showman of them all.

To qualify for Friday's show, 4-H youth had to win the showmanship competition for their individual species. Those proud few who did were: Lori Millenbaugh (steers), Riley Erwin (horses), Andrew Geiger (dairy feeders), Megan Lyons (dairy cows), Michelle Flock (sheep), Kendyl Guinther (goats), Alexus Burkhart (pigs), Andy Brause (alpacas), Bella Walter (rabbits) and Quinton Hiler (poultry).

The show began with nine horses being led into the show arena — only nine because the champion of each species was disqualified from showing in their own contest. As the other exhibitors tried their hands at being equestrians, Erwin spent time speaking with the rabbit and poultry judge outside the show arena, as did every other showman while the competition for their species was underway.

Hiler, who shows chickens, started the evening by winning first place in the horse portion of the competition.

"It was definitely different than chickens, but I had a good teacher," Hiler said. "After I was with her for about 10 minutes, it was really easy to figure out."

Although he had a good idea what he was doing Friday, no amount of practice this week could have given him the amount of experience he's gained after 10 years of showing chickens.

"The adrenaline was really pumping," Hiler said. "But after I started, I definitely calmed down."

It wasn't long until Hiler, 18, of New Washington, learned he also won the alpaca show during the Showman of Showmen competition, giving him a good edge on the competition.

"Alpaca are similar to horses in that you can't force them," Hiler said. "You have to let them do their own thing. If you stay calm, they'll stay calm."

But as the show wore on, it became clear that nobody could compete with the steady finishes of the 18-year-old Guinther, who is a Bucyrus native. She finished first once, second once, and third six times.

"You just have to stay calm and not let the animals scare you," Guinther said.

In addition to goats, Guinther has shown lambs and hogs throughout her career. Her biggest concern was showing a beef steer, which weighs more than half of a ton.

"I was surprised with the steer, though," Guinther said. "I was afraid I was going to get drug, but he did good for me."

Her older brother, Colton Guinter proved to be her biggest motivation during the contest.

"He got fourth in Showman of Showmen two years ago, and I really wanted to beat him," said the younger Guinther. "That was my goal."

A friend of Guinther's, Erwin, 18, also of Bucyrus, took second place in the contest, only a few points behind Guinther.

"We've been practicing together all week," Erwin said.

Although there were others in the show arena Friday night, Erwin was really competing against herself. She placed fifth in the contest three years ago, and wanted to do better during her final show in 4-H.

"I spent the entire week working on this, and it definitely paid off," Erwin said. "It's bittersweet, and it's definitely a good way to go out."

Erwin enjoyed mingling with the other exhibitors at the end of a long week of showing.

"We all spend the week off in our own divisions," Erwin said. "It's nice to come together and show each other's species."

Saturday's events

9 a.m.

Jr. Fair Livestock – Show Arena

10 a.m.

4-H Dog Show – youth Building

11 a.m.

Haas Pedal Tractor Pull – Stage in the park – Sponsored by Roger and Dorothy Haas

1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Wood Carver in the park

4 p.m.

Stock Truck Pull – Grandstand

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