MOUNT VERNON — While there was fun to be had at the Knox County Fair on Wednesday, competitors in the Showman of Showmen competition were down to serious business.
This “best of show” event features the showmanship champions from the various junior fair livestock showmanship competitions which took place earlier in the week. Each participant was required to then show an animal in the classes of hogs, draft horses, saddle horses, beef steers, dairy market feeders, goats, sheep, dogs, rabbits and chickens. While it may have been “old hat” for some, it was a totally new experience for others.
While the judging incorporated a huge swing from some very large animals to some very small animals, the competitors for the most part seemed to show great poise as if they were experts in all areas. “I learned that with the small animals it is all about perfection,” said Janelle Mickley, market goat showmanship champion. “But with the large animals, you just get as close as you can.”
