BENTON, Ill. – Local youth were excited to gather in the Franklin County Fairgrounds to exhibit beef, swine, sheep, and goats, and more during the annual 4-H fair. All livestock events allowed youth to display sportsmanship and exude confidence as they showed the "best of the best" during the shows. 

4-H youth also had the opportunity to participate in the livestock auction. The auction is an opportunity for local businesses, families, and community members to purchase animals exhibited during the fair. The auction is a great way to support local youth as participants receive the full proceeds from the sale of their livestock. Those who placed in the 2023 shows include:

Cat Care
Grand Champion – Eli Newbury
Reserve Champion – Lylah Smith
Showmanship – Alex Edwards

Dog Care
Grand Champion – Rylee Franklin
Reserve Champion – Colin Feltmeyer
Showmanship – Mattew Miller

Dog Obedience
Grand Champion – Luke Bauman
Reserve Champion – Silas Overturf

Rabbit (Buck)
Grand Champion – Knox Dublo
Reserve Champion – Katelynn Bock

Rabbit (Doe)
Grand Champion – Katelynn Bock
Reserve Champion – Charli Fuller

Rabbit (Pen of Three)
Grand Champion – Charli Fuller
Reserve Champion – Beau Camden

Rabbit Showmanship
Junior Showmanship – Alex Edwards
Senior Showmanship – Lucas Smith

Poultry
Grand Champion – Lydiann Smith
Reserve Champion – Alivia Poole

Chicken (Pen of Three)
Grand Champion – Liam Edwards
Reserve Champion – Ella Drew

Poultry Showmanship
Junior Showmanship – Lydiann Smith
Senior Showmanship – Colin Feltmeyer

Small Pets
Grand Champion – Reagan Herron
Reserve Champion – Morgan Griggs

Horse Show (Mare)
Grand Champion – Abbie Williams
Reserve Champion – Shayne Barry

Horse Show (Gelding)
Grand Champion – Shaylen Rowland
Reserve Champion – Chloe Williams

Horse Showmanship
Junior Showmanship (First) – Shayne Barry
Junior Showmanship (Second) – Shaylen Rowland
Junior Showmanship (Third) – Kollyns Dublo

Senior Showmanship (First) – Riley Ridgeway
Senior Showmanship (Second) – Briley Barry
Senior Showmanship (Third) – Abbie Williams

Dairy (Female Cow)
Grand Champion – Tayler Karnes
Reserve Champion – Tony Kistner

Dairy Showmanship
First – Tony Kistner
Second – Lucas Karnes
Third – Morgan Griggs

Sheep (Female)
Grand Champion – Myla Adams
Reserve Champion – Madalynn Adams

Sheep (Lamb Wether)
Grand Champion – Madalynn Adams
Reserve Champion – Myla Adams

Sheep Showmanship
First – Maylee Adams
Second – Madalynn Adams
Third – Myla Adams

Dairy Goat (Female)
Grand Champion – Lane Whitlow
Reserve Champion – Nate Ragland

Meat Goat (Female)
Grand Champion – Grayson Clark
Reserve Champion – Grayson Clark

Pygmy Goat (Female)
Grand Champion – Kayla Whitlow
Reserve Champion – Brantley Hamilton

Goat Wether
Grand Champion – Wyatt Loucks
Reserve Champion – Wyatt Loucks

Goat Showmanship
First – Grayson Clark
Second – Lane Whitlow
Third – Knox Dublo

Goat Showmanship
Junior Showmanship (First) – Brantley Hamilton
Junior Showmanship (Second) – Alex Edwards
Junior Showmanship (Third) – Lucas Karnes

Senior Showmanship (First) – Kayla Whitlow
Senior Showmanship (Second) – Nate Ragland
Senior Showmanship (Third) – Wyatt Loucks

Beef (Female)
Grand Champion – Brantley Hamilton
Reserve Champion – Alivia Lovelady

Beef (Steer)
Grand Champion – Tony Kistner
Reserve Champion – Nate Kern
Third Place – Lilly Winka

Beef Showmanship
Junior Showmanship (First) – Reagan Herron
Junior Showmanship (Second) – Adrian Lovelady
Junior Showmanship (Third) – Coltley Tepovich

Intermediate Showmanship (First) – Lilly Winka
Intermediate Showmanship (Second) – Beau Camden
Intermediate Showmanship (Third) – Alivia Lovelady

Senior Showmanship (First) – Colton Payne
Senior Showmanship (Second) – Tony Kistner
Senior Showmanship (Third) – Alivia Poole

Swine (Gilt)
Grand Champion – Dennison Clark
Reserve Champion – Dennison Clark

Swine (Barrow)
Grand Champion – Dennison Clark
Reserve Champion – Eli Newbury
Third – Eli Newbury

Swine Showmanship
Junior Showmanship (First) – Eli Newbury
Junior Showmanship (Second) – Coltley Tepovich
Junior Showmanship (Third) – Ryker Cross

Intermediate Showmanship (First) – Grayson Clark
Intermediate Showmanship (Second) – Logan Carlton
Intermediate Showmanship (Third) – Wyatt Newbury

Senior Showmanship (First) – Dennison Clark
Senior Showmanship (Second) – Colton Payne
Senior Showmanship (Third) – Kayla Whitlow