MOUNT VERNON – Ashley Burke of Fredericktown is the 2012 Knox County Junior Fair Showman of Showmen. Burke won the title Wednesday evening in a contest in which all nine of the Junior Fair animal showmanship winners competed showing animals other than their own in each category.
The winner was announced this morning prior to the annual Sale of Champions. Shelby Ruckman of Mount Vernon finished as runner-up.
In this contest, it’s not the animals being judged, but the handlers. Can a person who shows pigs take a dog through its paces? Can a 4-H’er who shows rabbits guide a 1,000-pound steer around the ring?
“I look for the basics, such as making eye contact with the judge,” said swine judge Dan Stute. “I ask each a basic question.” He explained that tells him if they took the time to learn something about the animals.
Tammy Vaughn, who judged the saddle horse segment, said she still looked for what she did in horse showmanship, but more in terms of making the effort to put the animal through its paces on a halter.
“I look to see if they try to trot, for example. They may not know each thing, but I’m looking for them to have enough knowledge to try.”
Megan Ryals, the dog showmanship representative and a member of Winner’s Attitude 4-H, said the toughest part of the contest was learning how to show the horses and pigs.
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The rest of this article is available to Mount Vernon News subscribers. To continue reading, please log in or purchase a subscription. Click here for the July 26, 2012 e-edition. The article will only be available for thirty (30) days.2012 Knox County Fair Schedule
Trail City 4X4 Day
8:30 A.M. Gates Open
10:00 A.M. AG Museum Opens
1:00 P.M. Rides Open
3:00 P.M. Open Class Sheep Show OSB Immediately following open class sheep show. Knox County Lamb Cook-Off (tasting to follow judging)
4:00 P.M. All Knox County Youth Choir
5:00 P.M. Rides Close
6:00 P.M. Rides Open
6:00 P.M. All Knox County Youth Choir
7:00 P.M. Rough Truck
7:30 P.M. Toby May Band
Ohio Rental Day& Lew’s Truck & Equipment Repair Day
8:30 A.M. Gates Open
9:00 A.M. Draft Horse Halter Classes
9:00 A.M. Draft Pony Halter Classes
10:00 A.M. AG Museum Opens
10:00 A.M. Senior Citizen Day Event
11:00 A.M. Artistic Flower Show
11:00 A.M. Old Time Threshing at the Fair (Shuttles will provide a ride to destination)
3:00 – 10:00 P.M. Indian Artifact Display
3:00 P.M. All Knox County Youth Choir
4:00 P.M. Antique Tractor Parade
5:00 P.M. Rides Close
6:00 P.M. Rides Open
6:00 P.M. All Knox County Youth Choir
7:00 P.M. Antique Tractor Pull
7:00 P.M. (Approx) Figure 8 School Bus & Figure 8 Truck Racing
7:30 P.M. Autumn Daze
Central Ohio Farmers Co-op Day
8:30 A.M. Gates Open
9:00 A.M. Heart of Ohio Angus Show
10:00 A.M. AG Museum Opens
1:00 P.M. Rides Open
1:00 P.M. Open Beef Show
3:00 – 10:00 P.M. Indian Artifact Display
3:00 P.M. All Knox County Youth Choir
5:00 P.M. Rides Close
5:00 P.M. All Knox County Youth Choir
6:00 P.M. Rides Open
6:30 P.M. Lawn Mower Racing
8:30 P.M. Thompson Square
Movers and Shuckers, LLC
8:00 A.M. Release Time for Still Exhibits until 1:00 P.M.
8:30 A.M. Gates Open
10:00 A.M. AG Museum Opens
10:00 A.M. Youth Games
10:00 A.M. Open Class Hog Weigh-In
12:00 Noon Youth Bicycle Drawing
1:00 P.M. Terminal Market Hog Show
1:00 P.M. Rides Open
1:00 P.M. Pedal Tractor Pull
3:00 – 10:00 P.M. Indian Artifact Display
5:00 P.M. Team Penning
5:00 P.M. Rides Close
6:00 P.M. Rides Open
7:00 P.M. Open to the World & O.S.T.P.A. Truck & Tractor Pull
7:00 P.M. J and E Band


