Burlington--A Chelsea 4-H teamster recently competed at the regional youth working steer show at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Matthew Whitney, a member of the Green Mountain Teamsters 4-H club in Pomfret, was among the 15 youths from four New England states, and the only Vermonter who competed in the youth working steer contests, held September 23-25. In addition to the competitions, participants had an opportunity to get acquainted at an ice cream social held the evening before the first event.
The thirteen-year-old placed fourth overall in the Junior Division for ages 10-13 with his Holstein team, Bud and Bear. He also was awarded the Robert Young Spirit Award for his age group, which is presented to a great all-around teamster who is helpful, encouraging and supportive of fellow competitors. It is given in memory of the former fair superintendent by his daughters Joyce and Diane.
Working steer competitions are scored on the Danish system with blue, red and white ribbons awardedaccording to the number of points earned. Exhibitors compete against others in their class but are scored individually on their performance in the show ring with their team evaluated on how close they come to specific standards for appearance and condition.
For the fitting and showing contest, the judge considers how well the youths handle their team and the condition, cleanliness and grooming of their animals including proper fit of the yoke and equipment and their overall knowledge of working steers. Matthew earned a red ribbon in this contest.
The cart class and stone boat pull are both time-based competitions. In the cart class, competitors must hitch their team to a two-wheeled cart and maneuver it through a series of obstacles. For the pulling contest, the judge evaluates how well each competitor's working steer team responds to basic commands to pull a stone boat, a type of sled used to move heavy objects.
Matthew earned a blue ribbon in both of these contests.
He qualified to compete at Eastern States through his performance and overall point accumulation at two Vermont 4-H working steer shows this summer and evaluation of his 4-H working steer project and 4-H member record books. His trip to Eastern States Exposition was sponsored in part by Aubuchon Hardware in South Royalton.
Contact Wendy Sorrell, University of Vermont Extension 4-H livestock educator, at wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu to learn more about the Vermont 4-H working steer program.