BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The 2025 Illinois 4-H Dog Show was held on Oct. 4 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington. Sixty-six 4-H members represented their home counties across Illinois in 118 individual runs made in partnership with their canine companion. Members who received a qualifying score at their county dog show had the opportunity to advance to the state contest.
The 4-H dog project allows members to compete in three types of classes: obedience, showmanship, and rally. Within obedience classes, the 4-H handler gives their dog a series of commands and is scored based on their dog’s ability to comply. The showmanship classes test the 4-H members' skills and knowledge of their dog and dog show handling. Rally demonstrates the teamwork between dog and handler as they navigate a course that asks the team to perform specific exercises.
The top six youth in each class were awarded ribbons.
High Point Beginner Overall
Maddie Canada, McHenry County
Junior Showmanship Champion
Melody England, Tazewell County
Senior Showmanship Champion
Lillian Huber, Effingham County
Obedience
In Beginner Novice 1, Grace DeRiemacker of Sangamon County placed first, followed by Brooklyn Copp of Kendall County, Kinslea Benson of Whiteside County, Avery Kendall of Kane County, Aleya Bare of Edwards County, and Mylah Hamer of LaSalle County. In Beginner Novice 2, Bristol Boster of Henry County took first, followed by Max Tilakaratne of Champaign County, Elizabeth Lindstrom of McHenry County, Cale Duckett of Shelby County, Piper Jensen of Lake County, and Autumn Welter of Grundy County.
In Preferred Novice, Cora Sims of Lee County placed first, followed by Emily Casey of Boone County and Grace Kaisner of Livingston County. In Novice 1, Maddie Canada of McHenry County earned first, followed by Kari Wier of DuPage County, Reese Conner of McHenry County, Lillian Huber of Effingham County, and Avelyn Janis of DuPage County. In Novice 2, Kaitlyn Costello of Kankakee County placed first, followed by Caleb Gillingham of Stephenson County. In Graduate Novice, Jacey Smith of Wayne County took first, and in Open, Rachel Gillingham of Stephenson County earned first place.
Rally
In Novice 1, Chloee Huttenlocher of Stephenson County took first, followed by Dana Penner of McLean County, Billie Partridge of LaSalle County, Piper Jensen of Lake County, Myla Hamer of LaSalle County, and Emma Kolcsazki of LaSalle County. In Novice 2, Bennet Ogden-Moles of Stephenson County placed first, followed by Jarvis Gunderson of Champaign County, Grace DeRiemacker of Sangamon County, Lilliam Weishaar, Avelyn Janis, and Hannah Hobson.
In Intermediate, Kaitlyn Costello of Kankakee County earned first, followed by Savanna Ford of Morgan County, Lydia Clemons of McLean County, Kari Wier of DuPage County, Caleb Gillingham of Stephenson County, and Lillian Huber of Effingham County. In Senior, Lillian Huber of Effingham County placed first, followed by Alexandra Bruinius of Will County, Piper Jensen of Lake County, Kaitlyn Costello of Kankakee County, Rachel Gillingham of Stephenson County, and Addison Roddis of Fulton County. In Advanced, Rachel Gillingham of Stephenson County took first, followed by Reese Connor of McHenry County and Maddie Canada of McHenry County.
Shelby Carlson, University of Illinois 4-H youth development educator, said, “This contest provides youth an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of the dog project area.” She goes on to say, “As 4-H works to create beyond ready youth, we know these members are a great example of our success. The resiliency and dedication these members demonstrate when working with their dogs are traits that will serve them well in the future.”
Source/Writer: Shelby Carlson, 4-H Youth Development Educator, srcarls2@illinois.edu
About Illinois 4-H:
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.