Celes Paratore wins small animal grand master showman title at fair
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Celes Paratore, left, holds the trophy after winning the small animal grand master showman title this morning at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Bailey Gonzalez, right, is the reserve grand master showman.
The two are both 18 and have been showing animals at the fair since they were 5 and Clover Buds.
The Small Animal Grand Master competition includes the top two showmen in Dog, Rabbit, Poultry and Mini Horse. All master and reserve showman in those four species compete for the Small Animal Grand Master title.
Paratore, a Corfu resident, qualified after winning the poultry and rabbit showmen competitions. Gonzalez, an Albion resident, won the dog showman event.
Paratore was the reserve grand master showman last year, finishing second to her sister, Evelyn. Celes said she has accumulated years of knowledge in showing and learning about many breeds and species of animals. She started as a 4-Her showing a chicken, and then added a rabbit, goats and a cow.
“I like the self confidence it gives you,” she said about showing animals. “It promotes self awareness, whether you win, lose or draw.”
She will be studying teacher education at GCC in the fall. She currently works as a nutrition educator for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County. Paratore also will be competing in the large animal grand master showmen competition beginning at 4 p.m. today.
Bailey Gonzalez said she has enjoyed the friendships she’s made through the Orleans County 4-H Heelers Dog Club. She is comfortable showing dogs, rabbits and the mini horses, but showing poultry is a challenge.
“The chickens are squirmy, and they are a lot different with feathers and two legs,” she said.
Gonzalez graduated from Albion a year ago. She works at a kennel in Batavia.
The participants in the small animal grand master competition pose for a photo after the event. From left include Robert Hofmann, 14, of Albion, reserve master showman for dogs; Celes Paratore, 18, of Corfus, small animal grandmaster showman and master for poultry and rabbits; Madelyn Meyer, 12, of Attica, master showman for miniature horses; Bailey Gonzalez, 18, of Albion, the reserve grand master and master showman for dogs; Eveyln Paratore, 14, of Corfu, reserve master showmen for poultry and rabbits; and Alizabeth Murray, 17, of Medina, the miniature horse reserve master showman.
The judges commend the participants for their showmanship skills and knowledge of the animals. Nicole Dabney, wearing hat, is speaking. She is the horse judge. Other judges included Antonia Garcia for dogs, Dave Gerling for poultry and Susie Gerling for rabbits.
