Dylan Brantner, 18, Evans City, Butler, Co., was overall winner in the senior division of the 22nd annual Youth Showmanship Contest at the 2019 Premier National Junior Show in Harrisburg.
Brantner 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. Reeds Creek Farm, Brent and Lawana Hostetter and family, provided the heifers for the fitting contest.
The Youth Showmanship Contest boasted 402 contestants from 14 states, 127 of whom were in the senior division.
The contest is part of the Premier National Junior Events, the activities at the core of the All-American that encourage youth to pursue careers in the dairy industry through competitions that test dairy skills and knowledge. In showmanship, participants are evaluated on their ability to best showcase their animal to a judge.
Stephanie Aves, Lancaster, Wis., judged the showmanship portion of the event. The fitting contest was judged by Chris Hill, Thurmont, Md.
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. The top ten senior showman received Wrangler Jeans gift certificates provided by Wrangler Western Special Events, a Speed Freak Hair Dryer courtesy of the PA Dairymen’s Association, and nylon embroidered “Fitter” jacket compliments of MD-Hillbrook, Chris & Jennifer Hill. Top Senior Fitter received $50 cash courtesy of Penn Gate Farm: Steve and Chris Wood, and family.
Overall winners in the senior division were:
1st – Dylan Brantner, 18, Evans City, Butler Co., Pa.
2nd – Emily Mikel, 20, Stafford, N.Y.
3rd – Logan Schlauch, 18, Big Prairie, Ohio
4th – Jayden Isiminger, 19, Union City, Erie Co., Pa.
5th – Matt Brior, 21, Ellenberg Center, N.Y.
6th – Kara Yannesse, 20, Edinburg, Lawrence Co., Pa.
7th – Kinley Topp, 17, Botkins, Ohio
8th – Nikayla Peters, 16, Cochranton, Crawford Co., Pa.
9th – Jordan Anderson, 16, Centre Hall, Centre Co., Pa.
10th – Ryan Hamilton, 20, Attica, N.Y.
Highest Placing Ayrshire – Kinley Topp, 17, Botkins, Ohio
Highest Placing Brown Swiss – Emily Mikel, 20, Stafford, N.Y.
Highest Placing Guernsey – Logan Schlauch, 18, Big Prairie, Ohio
Highest Placing Jersey – Jordan Anderson, 16, Centre Hall, Centre Co., Pa.
Highest Placing Red & White – Mallory Rhodes, 16, Millport, N.Y.
Highest Placing Milking Shorthorn- Mart Sweeney, Bergen, N.Y.
