VERMONT — Thirty Vermont 4-H club members competed at the Eastern States Exposition 4-H dairy show in West Springfield, Mass., Sept. 15-18, walking away with several championships.
Two Addison County youths captured first place ribbons: Addy Parsons of Weybridge and Jonathan Flores-Torres of Ferrisburgh.
Vermont 4-H’ers took part in both fitting and showmanship classes in which they are judged on their poise and presentation and handling of their animal and in conformation classes where the animal is evaluated on body condition and appearance. In addition, awards were presented at the dairy show for the best state herds by breed with Vermont winning first place for Brown Swiss and Holstein and third for Jersey.
Because of the large number of competitors, several fitting and showmanship classes for juniors (ages 12-14) and seniors (ages 15-18) were held. The first place winner in each class in each division competed for grand and reserve championship awards. Vermont swept the Junior Division with Courteney Simpson of Sutton winning the Junior Grand Champion, and Caroline Kirby of East Montpelier winning the Junior Reserve Grand Champion.
Placements of Vermont 4-H’ers from Addison County in their respective fitting and showmanship classes were:
Junior Division — Group 1: Katy Waterman, Weybridge (fourth). Group 4: Audrey Huston, Waltham (fifth); Jonathan Flores-Torres, Ferrisburgh (tenth). Group 6: Ginny Patz, Shoreham (fourth).
Senior Division — Group 2: Addy Parsons, Weybridge (first). Group 3: Matthew Ouellette, Weybridge (seventh).
In the conformation classes, arranged according to age and breed of the animal, top finishers from Vermont included:
AYRSHIRE:
Fall Calf: Addy Parsons, Weybridge (first).
Winter Calf: Jonathan Flores-Torres, Ferrisburgh (first); Audrey Huston, Waltham (second); Katy Waterman, Weybridge (third).
Summer Yearling Heifer: Matthew Ouellette, Weybridge (second)
JERSEY:
Summer Yearling Heifer: Ginny Patz, Shoreham (second).