Johnson--On July 28, 14 youths from Lamoille, Franklin and Washington County 4-H dairy clubs participated in the 4-H Open Dairy Show, held in conjunction with the annual Lamoille County Field Days in Johnson.

The show was sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H and the Green Mountain Moovers 4-H Club of Morrisville. François Maheu of Roxton Pond, Quebec, judged the event, which included an open peewee class for kids, ages five to seven, to give them an opportunity to learn what it's like to show a dairy cow. Sadie Ellner, Morrisville, took top honors in this class.

In the morning the 4-H'ers participated in fitting and showmanship classes, based on competitor's age, where they were evaluated on their poise and how well they handled and presented their animal. After lunch, which was donated by local businesses, they competed in conformation classes, arranged by breed and age of the animal, where the animals were judged on physical structure, condition and appearance.

Ashley Woods, Enosburg Falls, was named Senior Fitting and Show Champion. Reserve Senior Fitting and Show Champion was Shelby Biasini, Morrisville. Her sister, Adele Biasini, was the Junior Fitting and Show Champion with Hattie Moriarty of Stowe, earning Reserve Fitting and Show Champion. Novice Fitting and Show Champion was Callie Walker, Stowe.

Top finishers in fitting and showmanship classes, in order of placement, were:

SENIOR DIVISION: Ages 16 and up: Ashley Woods, Enosburg Falls (Green Mountain Dairy 4-H Club); Becca Westcom, Enosburg Falls (Franklin County 4-Leaf Clovers); Hope Kole, Morrisville (Green Mountain Moovers). Ages 14 and 15: Shelby Biasini, Morrisville (Green Mountain Moovers); Cassie Westcom, Enosburg Falls (Franklin County 4-Leaf Clovers).

JUNIOR DIVISION: Ages 11 to 13: Hattie Moriarty, Stowe (Green Mountain Moovers); Ian Biasini, Morrisville (Green Mountain Moovers). Age 10: Adele Biasini, Morrisville (Green Mountain Moovers); Chandra Stanley, Enosburg (Green Mountain 4-H Dairy 4-H Club).

NOVICE DIVISION (first-time competitors): Callie Walker, Stowe (Green Mountain Moovers); Lucy Kelley, Morrisville (Green Mountain Moovers); Jackson Frobel, Waterbury (Waitsfield Cows 4-H Club); Ellie Moriarty, Stowe (Green Mountain Moovers).

In the conformation classes, Grand Champion of All Breeds was won by Shelby Biasini of Morrisville with her winter calf, Promis.

Winners in the conformation classes were:

AYSHIRE--Senior Champion and Grand Champion: Ashley Woods, Enosburg Falls, with her two-year-old cow. Reserve Senior Champion: Ashley Woods with her four-year-old cow.

BROWN SWISS--Junior Champion and Grand Champion: Hope Kole, Morrisville, with her winter yearling heifer; Reserve Junior Champion: Ian Biasini, Morrisville, with his spring yearling heifer.

Other top place finishers in the Brown Swiss competition included Adele Biasini, Morrisville, and Chandra Stanley, Enosburg, who placed first and second, respectively, in the winter calf class.

JERSEY-- Junior and Grand Champion: Cassie Westcom, Enosburg, with her winter yearling heifer.

HOLSTEIN--Shelby Biasini was named Junior Champion and Grand Champion with her winter calf and Senior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion for her three-year-old cow. The Reserve Junior Champion was Callie Walker with her summer yearling.

By class, the winners in Holstein classes also included:

Spring Calf: Lucy Kelley, Morrisville; Ellie Moriarty, Stowe.

Winter Calf: Shelby Biasini, Morrisville, Hattie Moriarty, Stowe.

Fall Calf: Adele Biasini, Morrisville.

Summer Yearling Heifer: Callie Walker, Stowe; Shelby Biasini, Morrisville; Cassie Westcom, Enosburg Falls.

Winter Yearling Heifer: Becca Westcom, Enosburg Falls; Hope Kole, Morrisville; Jackson Frobel, Waterbury.

Three-year-old Cow: Shelby Biasini, Morrisville

All Breeds Dam-Daughter: Shelby Biasini, Morrisville.

For more information about the Lamoille County 4-H dairy program, contact Lindsay Jones, UVM Extension 4-H educator, at (802) 888-4972 or by e-mail at lindsay.jones@uvm.edu. For other counties or statewide dairy events, contact Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, at (802) 656-5418 or wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.