University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H'ers finished strong in recent regional dairy show competition, earning several individual first place and championship honors. They also had the top state herd in three of out of the four breed groups in which they showed cattle.

Thirty-five dairy 4-H'ers were selected to represent Vermont at dairy show events at Eastern States Exposition in W. Springfield, Mass. in mid-September. They competed in both fitting and showmanship classes, in which they are judged on their poise and presentation and handling of their animal, and in conformation classes, where the animal is evaluated on body condition and appearance.

Due to the large number of 4-H competitors from throughout New England, several junior and senior showmanship classes were held. The first-place winner in each class in each division then competed for grand and reserve championship awards. Britney Hill, Bristol, was named Junior Grand Champion and Shelby Biasini, Morrisville, Junior Reserve Grand Champion.

Other Vermonters placing in the top three in their respective classes included:

Junior Showmanship Class A: first--Maggie Kirby, East Montpelier; Class B: third--Therese Rainville, Fairfield; Class C: first--Nathan FeFee, Bristol; third--Dacey Anechiarico, Whiting; Class E: third--Tyler Royer, Newport; Class F: first--Shelby Biasini, Morrisville; Class G: first-- Britney Hill, Bristol

Senior Showmanship Class A: second--Hope Kole, Morrisville; Class E: first--Elizabeth Hill, Bristol; Class F: third--Katelynn Tracey, Vergennes

Ashley Woods, a 4-H'er from Enosburg Falls, was the clipping captain for the fitting and showmanship contest.

In the conformation classes, arranged according to age and breed of the animal, Vermont 4-H'ers placed as follows:

AYRSHIRE: Senior Champion and Grand Champion--Britney Hill, Bristol; Reserve Senior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion-- Sara Ingwersen, Addison. State Herd: first place.

Spring Calf: first--Kelli Jerome, Leicester

Winter Calf: second--Dacey Anechiarico, Whiting; third--Amanda Eugair, Proctor

Summer Yearling Heifer: fourth--Michael Ingwersen, Addison

Fall Yearling Heifer: second place--Sean Stanley, Enosburg Falls

Junior Two-Year-Old Heifer: first--Britney Hill, Bristol

Three-Year-Old Cow: first--Sara Ingwersen, Addison

BROWN SWISS: Junior Champion and Grand Champion--Angela Volk, Bridport; Reserve Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion--Elsa Bock, Shelburne. State Herd: first place.

Winter Calf: first--Hope Kole, Morrisville; second--Ellis Wright, Enosburg Falls

Fall Calf: first--Angela Volk, Bridport; second--Brooke Aicher, Shelburne; fourth--Nathan Fefee, Bristol

Summer Yearling Heifer: first--Shelby Biasini, Morrisville

Spring Yearling Heifer: Elsa Bock, Shelburne

Fall Yearling Heifer: first--Kirsten Breau, Vernon

HOLSTEIN: Senior Champion and Grand Champion--Amber Thomas, Shoreham; Reserve Senior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion--Kathryn Wright, Enosburg Falls. State Herd: first place.

Spring Calf: first--Theresa Rainville, Fairfield

Winter Calf: fifth--Becca Westcom, Enosburg Falls; eighth--Kennady Roy, New Haven

Fall Calf: second--Elizabeth Hill, Bristol; third--Maggie Kirby, East Montpelier; seventh--Tyler Royer, Newport

Spring Yearling Heifer: third--Sara Moye, Vernon; fifth--Heather Taft, Newport; seventh--Brenda Atwater, Vernon

Winter Yearling Heifer: sixth--Ashley Howlett, Bridport; seventh--Erin Taft, Newport

Senior Two-Year-Old Heifer: first--Kristyn Jerome, Leicester

Three-Year-Old Cow: first--Amber Thomas, Shoreham

Four-Year-Old Cow: first--Kathryn Wright, Enosburg Falls

Five-Year and Older Cow: first--Heidi Matthews, Vernon

JERSEY: Reserve Senior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion-- Katelynn Tracey, Vergennes; Junior Champion--Megan Hill, New Haven. State Herd: third place.

Fall Calf: first--Megan Hill, New Haven

Summer Yearling Heifer: third--Parker Royer, Newport

Spring Yearling Heifer: fourth--Timothy Carson, Newbury

Three-Year-Old cow: first--Katelynn Tracey, Vergennes

For information on the Vermont 4-H dairy program and statewide events, call Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at (802) 656-5418 or toll-free at (800) 571-0668, ext. 2 (Vermont calls only).