Ponoka’s centennial 4-H Show and Sale got off on the right hoof with a class of yearling heifers the 4-Hers could be proud of.
“This last champion class is a testament to the good stock here,” said judge Garner Deobald.
He feels the yearlings shown at the event had the capacity, build and traits to be competitive in any show. “I think they can be very proud of the cattle they have.”
The top yearlings had the feminine traits Deobald was looking for but also carried an appealing thickness and robustness.
“At this age you can have too much as well,” he explained. Deobald felt the grand champion and reserve champion heifers were model animals for their age.
Deobald knew, based on the first couple of yearling classes he judged, the rest of the stock shown would be of the same prime caliber, an opinion judge Brenda Schoepp validated.
“I’d just like to acknowledge the degree of finesse and showmanship,” she said.
The judges were not the only ones in attendance impressed with the quality of the animals at the show.
Dennis McCauley and his wife Barb purchased the grand champion steer from first time champion Simon Stalder.
“I’ve bought Simon’s steer three years in a row,” McCauley announced proudly, already thinking about eating what he referred to as first class meat.
“The beef is amazing,” his wife added.
Ponoka 4-H Show and Sale results:
Grand Champion Steer: Simon Stalder
Reserve Champion Steer Tyson Matejka
Grand Champion Heifer: Virginia Harvey
Reserve Champion Heifer: Lisa Winter
Grand Champion Cow/Calf: Virginia Harvey
Reserve Champion Cow/Calf: Simon Stalder
Senior Judging Grand Champion: Matt Klimec
Intermediate Judging Grand Champion: Patrice Stalder
Junior Judging Grand Champion: Kelli-Rai Sieben
Grand Champion Senior Showmanship: Tyson Matejka
Grand Champion Intermediate Showmanship: Emily Gartner
Grand Championship Junior Showmanship: Kelli-Rai Sieben
Grand Champion Senior Grooming: Lisa Winter
Grand Champion Intermediate Grooming: Emily Gartner
Grand Champion Junior Grooming: Kelli-Rai Sieben
Top Rate of Gain: Brandon Shaw