Another exciting TD Canadian 4-H Dairy Classic is in the books after months of hard work and training on the part of the 351 keen 4-H’ers. Competitors congregated from near and far to take part in the three-day event, with counties from Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia represented. Teams arrived very early Sunday morning to set up their displays and settle in their calves. Over the course of the event, 4-H members competed individually in both showmanship and conformation competitions, and vied as teams for Best Exhibit, Best Group of Three Calves and Premier County.
During the opening ceremony, Kelly French and her daughters, Connor and Blaire, delivered a touching tribute to her late father, Bertram Stewart. Stewart was one of the founding members of the Classic and his memory will live on in the hearts of all competitors. To honour his many contributions, participants wore lapel pins with “Bertram” and a chair draped with his green Classic committee jacket was held empty to remember him over the course of the competition.
The Ring of Excellence was once again the show’s venue and exhibitors and spectators alike enjoyed the buzzing atmosphere, set in the middle of the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair and all its glory. Claire Swale of the U.K. did an exceptional job in the ring, taking her time to allow 4-H members to display their showmanship skills on Monday. Steve Fraser of Fergus, ON was her capable Associate Judge. Over the course of the high-caliber competition, Claire selected top showman from each of the respective junior, intermediate and senior heats and chose champions from each group.
Winners in each group were as follows:
Junior Showperson: Dani Karn, Oxford
Reserve: Keaton Phoenix, Durham West
Honourable Mention: Kolton Crack, Quebec South East
Intermediate Showperson: Taylor Vander Meulen, Northumberland
Reserve: Clarissa McCallum, Frontenac
Honourable Mention: Jack Lange, South Simcoe
Senior Showperson: Madison Dyment, Brant
Reserve: Ava Doner, Durham West
Honourable Mention: Trent Jones, Oxford
The main event culminated at 10 p.m., when Madison Dyment was selected as the Grand Champion Showperson. Dani Karn was Reserve and Taylor Vander Meulen was Honourable Mention.
On Tuesday November 6, announcers Gary West and Christina Crowley-Arklie welcomed guests and the conformation classes began. Conformation Judge Bloyce Thompson made the trip all the way from P.E.I. to place the many heats and classes of top 4-H Holsteins, Jerseys, Ayrshires and other coloured breeds from across the country. He chose his first-place Holstein Summer Yearling, Winright V Doorman Bubbly, shown by Justin Velthuis of Carleton County, as Grand Champion Calf. Reserve went to the first-place Junior Yearling, Blondin Avalanche Sasha, shown by Maddie Stewart of P.E.I. Honourable Mention was the second-place Holstein Summer Yearling, Ulmar Control Eternity, shown by Derrick Knill of Perth.
Cowsmo was on-hand covering all the events, see full Results from the show here.
The Best Exhibit is one of the most sought-after titles at the TD Canadian 4-H Dairy Classic. Monday and Tuesday, the exhibits were judged for cleanliness, interaction with members of the public, signage and the overall display. Perth was named the overall winners of this award and received beautifully handcrafted halters from Jensen Halters. Quebec East was the proud exhibitors of this year’s Best Group of Three.
Durham West won the “Bill Edelstein Bowl” for Premier County. As a county, they accumulated the most points in Showmanship, Conformation and Best Exhibit. The lucky winner of the showbox, (handcrafted by Southgate Senior Centre in Woodstock) was Emma Finch of South Simcoe.
This year’s “Breeder of Distinction” was Wendon Holsteins of Innisfail, AB. Don Chalack was on hand to bring greetings to participants and generously present five embryos from his respected farm. Emi Lange of South
Simcoe was the lucky winner of this fabulous prize.
Two award presentations took place during the show on Tuesday. The Stewart family and 4-H Ontario was on hand in the morning to present the Bertram and Hazel Stewart 4-H Dairy Youth Education Award and Bursary. This award and conditional bursary of $1,000 is awarded annually to an eligible 4-H Ontario Dairy Club member to support post-secondary education. This year’s deserving recipient was Raechel Charlton of Brant County. The Parish family presented the Justin Parish Memorial Bursary in honour of their late son. Justin’s dream was to one day make it to the Royal and his dream lives on through this award that is presented to a first-time competitor at the Classic each year. This year’s winner was Rebecca Stockdale of Northumberland.
The Classic would not be possible without the commitment to youth from our major sponsors, TD Bank, Semex and Holstein Canada in the form of generous donations. Thank you also to the many supporting sponsors for their contributions. The organizing committee and all of the 4-H members attending are truly grateful for their support. Many 4-H members would not be able to make it the TD Canadian 4-H Dairy Classic without the support of many local sponsors at home, parents, leaders and other volunteers. They deserve a huge thank you as well. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the 40th TD Canadian 4-H Dairy Classic next year!
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