The colored shavings of World Dairy Expo are pink this year, and youth showmanship contestants were the first ones to parade their animals across them when they competed on Saturday.

After almost eight hours of competition that included six heats of juniors (ages 9 to 13), five heats of intermediates (ages 14 to 16), and seven heats of seniors (ages 17 to 21), the judges chose Tyler Leuch of Pulaski, Wis., as the recipient of the Annette Ostrom Memorial Supreme Showman Award. He earned a $3,500 cash award courtesy of the Ostrom family and a crystal trophy.

Leuch was the top senior showman, and for that recognition he earned $1,500, a set of clippers, and a custom embroidered jacket. “I never saw him misstep; I never saw his heifer not look perfect, and at the end of the day, that’s what showmanship is about,” said senior judge Carla Stetzer of Wisconsin as she selected Leuch as her divisional champion.

The Reserve Supreme Showman was Kayla Trustem of Evansville, Wis. She was the winning intermediate showman and earned a $750 cash prize on top of her $1,500 award, clippers, and jacket. This recognition rounded out a day where Trustem also won the intermediate female division of the Youth Fitting Contest for the second year in a row.

Intermediate judge Kelli Cull of Wisconsin had similar comments about her winner. “I’m truly blown away by the quality of this showmanship. I have a young lady here who did not miss a beat,” she said, praising Trustem’s fluidity with her heifer.

The selection of Supreme Showman functions as a new class, with the top two individuals from each of the three divisions returning to the showring. The day’s three judges scored the contestants from outside the ring as Katie Coyne of Mill Wheel Show Clinics in New York directed the youth.

Also representing the senior division after her second-place performance was Katelyn Poitras of Brimfield, Mass. Judge Stetzer noted how in synch Poitras was with her heifer and commended her skill in making her heifer look its best while not over adjusting.

The second-place intermediate showman was Justin Brandel of Lake Mills, Wis. Judge Cull called the presentation of both of her top two showman second to none.

In the junior division, Brent Howe of Ontario selected Brady McConnell of Lancaster, Wis., as his champion. Second place went to Paige Zimmerman of Brodhead, Wis. “You go top to bottom in this group, and its impressive,” Howe said of his contestants in for junior showman, reminding them that the class is not over until it’s over.

The top 10 finishers in each division received a cash prize. Those winners were:

Seniors:

1. Tyler Leuch, Pulaski, Wis
2. Katelyn Poitras, Brimfield, Mass.
3. Kyla Johnson, Tomah, Wis.
4. Logan Harbaugh, Marion, Wis.
5. Dana Johnson, Tomah, Wis.
6. Lilly Johnson, River Falls, Wis.
7. Emily Goode, Liberty, Ky.
8. Aubree Topp, Botkins, Ohio
9. Ava Booth, Plymouth, Wis.
10. Kelsey Hardy, Dodgeville, Wis.

Intermediates:

1. Kayla Trustem, Evansville, Wis.
2. Justin Brandel, Lake Mills, Wis.
3. Ava Hebgen, DeForest, Wis.
4. Jadeyn Mueterthies, Lawler, Iowa
5. Cameron Ryan, Fond du Lac, Wis.
6. Jacob Schimek, Pine Island, Minn.
7. Abby Meyer, Chilton, Wis.
8. Kaylee Jackson, Barron, Wis.
9. Alison Gartman, Sheboygan, Wis.
10. Taylor Lawrence, Brooklyn, Conn.

Juniors:

1. Brady McConnell, Lancaster, Wis.
2. Paige Zimmerman, Brodhead, Wis.
3. Evelyn Wyse, Blanchardville, Wis.
4. Jaedyn McPherson, Grandview, Texas
5. Karlie Supplee, Chambersburg, Pa.
6. Madison Sarbacker, Whitewater, Wis.
7. Logan Vanevera, Cobleskill, N.Y.
8. William Zimmerman, Brodhead, Wis.
9. Chance Primmer, Bagley, Wis.
10. Alexis Arbaugh, Westminster, Md.

Congratulations to all of Saturday’s youth showmanship winners!