Young Jersey Enthusiasts Shine At Royal Winter Fair!

JUNIOR JERSEY SHOWMANSHIP CLASSES
HIGHLIGHT OF NATIONAL JERSEY SHOW!!

For 22 years Jersey Canada's vibrant Youth Committee has delivered Jersey youth showmanship competitions at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. These classes have always been regarded as one of the most exciting parts of Canada's National Jersey Show.
Every year the class gets better and better. In 2004 46 young Jersey fans from Quebec, Ontario and Switzerland took part in the intense but friendly competition.
Judge Jeff Sayles of Bridon Farms Inc., Paris, Ontario, a former Youth Committee member and former participant in these classes handled his daunting assignment with grace and confidence.

Twenty one juniors from age 10 to 15 competed for the William Featherstone Memorial Trophy. This trophy is presented by Avonlea Genetics Inc., Brighton, Ontario in memory of Bill Featherstone, a legendary and beloved personage in Jersey circles and Master Breeder of Jerseys at Avonlea.
The 2004 recipient of the Featherstone trophy is James Walker, son of Brent and Robin Walker of Walkerbrae Holsteins and Jerseys, Guelph, Ontario. James moved up from a second place finish in the same class in 2003.
Other young people placing in the top ten in this class were:

2. Alisha Burgess, Mildmay, Ontario.
3. Terri Hannah, Belleville, Ontario.
4. Jackie Burgess, Mildmay, Ontario.
5. Brooke McKinven, Canton-de-Hatley, Quebec.
6. Cody Walker, Guelph, Ontario.
7. Tyler Hendricks, Brucefield, Ontario.
8. Maggy Doan, Aylmer, Ontario.
9. Stephynie Sargent, Enniskillen, Ontario
10. Tara McKinven, Canton-de-Hatley, Quebec.

Judge Sayles worked two heats of showmen from 16 to 21 years old in the Senior showmanship class. Eventually he ranked his top nine choices from among 25 skilled contestants.

Melissa Hastie of Durham, Ontario capped off a successful year of 4-H and Junior show competition by winning the Lloyd Fanjoy Memorial Trophy for the class for older showmen. Fanjoy was a dedicated Jersey herdsman in both Canada and the the United States-the trophy was donated by his legion of friends and admirers.

Joining Melissa in the top nine selected were:

2. Kora Bennett, Seaforth, Ontario
3. Katie Hill, Ayton, Ontario.
4. Leanne Cunnington, Inglewood, Ontario.
5. Becky Quickfall, Belmont, Ontario.
6. Bobby Jarrell, Corbyville, Ontario.
7. Mark Osborne, Shannonville, Ontario.
8. Thomas Ender, a Swiss native visiting Quebec       
9. Ashley Cavanagh, Kinburn, Ontario.

Major sponsorship for the contest this year was provided by Alta Genetics.

As Jersey calves become ever more prominent at dairy youth shows energy and enthusiasm for exciting events like this one explodes.

A wise decision to commence such classes way back in 1983 has reaped great benefits as the program has grown and expanded to its' current level of excellence!


For more information on Jerseys in Canada or Jersey Canada youth programs please contact Jersey Canada at 519-821-1020 or the e-mail address above.