Daniel Kitchen, 19, of Danville, Montour County, was awarded first place in the senior division of the 20th annual Youth Showmanship Contest at the 2017 Premier National Junior Show in Harrisburg.
Kitchen earned the title after competing in the showmanship portion and being selected as a top 10 finalist. The top 10 individuals then put their fitting skills to the test as they clipped and groomed a Holstein heifer in one hour.
The Youth Showmanship Contest boasted 372 contestants from 12 states, 105 of whom were in the senior division.
Michael Yoder of Belleville, Mifflin County, judged the showmanship portion of the event. The fitting contest was judged by Chris Reichard of New Paris, Bedford County.
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:
1st – Daniel Kitchen, 19, Danville, Montour County
2nd – Jacob Kline, 19, Myerstown, Lebanon County
3rd – Tucker True, 16, Perry, N.Y.
4th – Michaela Bell, 18, Utica, N.Y.
5th – Elizatbeth Stoltzfus, 17, Berlin, Somerset County
6th – Daniel Benedict, 18, Waynesboro, Franklin County
7th – Madison Weaver, 17, Ephrata, Lancaster County
8th – Brittany Brewer, 21, Bangor, Northampton County
9th – Madison Knepp, 19, Mohrsville, Berks County
10th – Zach Jasmin, Chittenango, N.Y.
Highest Placing Guernsey – Rachel Rouland, Clifton Springs, N.Y.
Highest Placing Ayrshire – Colton Nolan, Kennett Square, Chester County
Highest Placing Jersey – Jacob Kline, Myerstown, Lebanon County
Highest Placing Brown Swiss – Tucker True, Perry, N.Y.
Highest Placing Red & White – Brittany Brewer, Bangor, Lebanon County
Highest Placing Milking Shorthorn – Mary Sweeney, Bergen, N.Y.
The All-American Dairy Show features 22 shows in six days in addition to the nation’s only all-dairy antiques show. Last year’s show featured nearly 3,000 animals and 1,500 exhibitors from around the country.
