Hog heaven as swine showmen double to 51; Novice takes master showman title

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Isabel Nesbitt, 12, of Lyndonville shows a pig during Monday’s swine show. Isabel won the novice division featuring first-time swine showman and then won the overall title against the top two showmen in the junior and senior divisions.

The swine showmen included 51 kids in 4-H. That is double the number in recent years. There will also be 25 pigs in the market auction at 7 p.m. on Saturday. That is about double the usual number of pigs in the auction.

“We’re growing,” said Julie Donofrio, the swine superintendent. “We’re like a big family.”

It was intense competition in the show ring, especially because many of the 4-H’ers were trying extra hard to beat their siblings and cousins.

This photo shows Everett Bruning of Barre, left, and Lane Miller of Lyndonville. Lane finished second in the novice division. There were 16 kids in the novice division.

Sylvia Bruning of Barre keeps a pig under control during the swine show. She competed in the novice division and came in fourth.

The swine showman competition stretched more than an hour. The final two included Isabel Nesbitt, 12, of Lyndonville and defending swine master showman Ruth Kuipers, 15, of Byron. They used swine sticks to help guide and control the animals.

Isabel won the showman title with the judge praising her for maintaining her intensity throughout the competition. Isabel kept a hunched over posture throughout it, while keeping her eyes focused on the judge. She received loud applause when she was declared the winner.

She qualifies for the grand master showman competition on Friday when the top showmen from nine species of livestock have to show all of the species.

David Schultheis, the swine judge, said he was duly impressed by the 4-Hers at the swine show.

“What outstanding showmanship and what a drive we had out here,” he said.