Small animal grand master named at 4-H Fair

Photo by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Luke Gregoire, right won the small animal grandmaster showman today at the Orleans County 4-H Fair and Evelyn Paratore, left, was the reserve grand master.

The top showmen in four different small animals – dogs, rabbits, chickens and miniature horses – vied today for the grand master showman.

Gregoire, 17, of Murray has been showing chickens and rabbits at the fair for about five years. He qualified for the event today after being reserve champ in poultry.

Paratore, 12, of Corfu won the master showman for rabbits.

The grand master showman competition takes the top two showmen in the four different animals and makes them show all four small animals.

The master showmen needed to do a quick health check on the animals, note the ideal height and weight for each and note anything that could be considered a fault. For example, the bantam roosters shouldn’t have any white feathers.

Other participants in the competition include Meganne Moore (mini horse master), Grace Goodrich (mini horse reserve), Celes Paratore (poultry master, rabbit reserve), Bailey Gonzalez (dog master), and Sophia Albone (dog reserve).

Provided photo: Luke Gregoire shows a rabbit and answers questions from the judge. Luke has shown rabbits and chickens for years and said he was comfortable with them today, while he had to do some last-minute cramming to prepare to show a dog and a miniature horse.

“I didn’t feel as strong about the mini horses, but the big thing is to project confidence,” he said.

Evelyn Paratore said she is least familiar with dogs. She has shown the other animals, and also was in the large animal grand master showman competition on Friday, featuring eight different livestock animals.

After today’s small animal contest, Evelyn said she felt the pressure lifted.

“It is stressful and tiring, but fun at the same time,” she said about the intense competitions.