Katelyn Neff, 18, of Cochranton, Crawford County, Pa., took home first place in the 18th annual Youth Showmanship Contest at the 2015 All-American Dairy Show held in Harrisburg.
“I’m thrilled!” said Neff. “I’ve worked really hard for this.”
Neff said she practiced all winter for this with her heifers and even consulted other fitters. Two years ago Neff placed eighth in the contest . After eighth place was announced this year she said she was pleased she did better than last time. It then became a countdown which ended with Neff in tears as her name was called for first place overall.
“I know a lot of the other competitors so to come out on top is crazy,” said Neff.
The Youth Showmanship Contest boasted 384 contestants, 116 of them seniors, from 13 states. The contestants first participated in a showmanship contest. The top ten seniors then put their fitting skills to the test by completely fitting a Holstein heifer in one hour.
Fitting judge Matt Puskas, Somerset, N.J., said, “I’m looking for attention to detail and fixing what they need to on the animal.”
Caitlyn Pool from Robesonia, Berks County, Pa. was recognized as Master Fitter in the contest.
Champion Senior received a $250.00 cash award courtesy of Centre-Clinton Holstein Association, a custom embroidered Directors Chair courtesy of Jane and Bob Pepple, and a custom embroidered jacket courtesy of Daniel Brandt Pedigrees and Marketing. Top Senior Showman received $75 cash courtesy of the Peter G. Blodgett Memorial Fund and Rip-N-Good Kids. Top Senior Fitter received $50 cash courtesy of Penn Gate Farm: Steve, Chris & Corbin Wood.
Overall winners in the senior division were:
2nd – Jared Helsley, 18, Roaring Spring, Blair Co., Pa.
3rd – Caitlyn Pool, 21, Robesonia, Berks Co., Pa.
4th – Kayla Umber, 16, Emmitsburg, Md.
5th – Ashley Mohn, 21, Womelsdorf, Berks Co., Pa.
6th – Brittany Bewer, 19, Bangor, Northampton Co., Pa.
7th – Renee Pierick, 18, Peach Bottom, Lancaster Co., Pa.
8th – Cody Eller, 18, Roaring Spring, Blair Co., Pa.
9th – Kyle Plummer, 18, Galena, Md.
10th – Joel Younker, 17, Fleetwood, Berks Co., Pa.
The 52nd All-American Dairy Show, the world’s largest dairy show, runs September 12-17 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. This year’s show features 22 shows in six days, the nation’s only all-dairy antiques show, nearly 2,800 animals and more than 1,300 exhibitors from across the nation. For more information, visit www.allamerican.state.pa.us, email aads@pa.gov, or call 717-787-2905.
