Delaney Jones is the 2024 Junior Fair Champion of Champions Showmanship Contest winner.
LIMA — Delaney Jones has once again claimed the title of Champion of Champions in the Junior Fair Showmanship Contest, marking her second consecutive win.
Being the reigning champion brought both high expectations and the pressure of a complex event.
“I was nervous because it’s a lot to remember again,” Jones admitted.
One of her significant challenges last year was handling birds, a concern she carried into this year’s contest.
“I’m really scared of birds. Chickens have never really been my thing, but this year, I wasn’t as afraid because I realized they wouldn’t do anything,” Jones said with a laugh.
In addition to her showmanship achievements, Delaney is also the 2024 Junior Fair Queen. She primarily focuses on showing beef cattle, showcasing her skills alongside her other accolades.
Alyssa Young, a 4-H program assistant who plays a vital role in the fair and junior fair events, underscored the importance of the Champion of Champions contest.
“This is a very prestigious event. Showmanship is a valuable skill, and being part of this show is a tremendous honor,” Young remarked.
The competition featured representatives from a range of show categories, including poultry, dairy, llama and alpaca, sheep, market goat, dairy goat, swine, rabbits, horse and pony, beef, and dairy beef.
Participants faced the challenge of being proficient with each type of animal. Rotating between different animals and judges, contestants demonstrated their ability to manage and show the animals while also being challenged by their extensive knowledge.
Judges posed detailed questions about various aspects such as body parts, breeds, and genders, with some inquiries being straightforward and others unexpectedly challenging.
After the event, the judges commended the hard work of the young participants and encouraged them to continue raising the bar for future competitions. They also stressed to the participants the privilege of being part of such a prestigious event.
Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351
