Submitted to 4-H Ontario by Tara Reynolds, EastGen Marketing and Communications Specialist
More than 435 4-H’ers Compete for Top Honours at EastGen’s 2023 Youth Events
GUELPH, ONT. (July 19, 2023) – Keen competition, the 4-H “learn to do by doing” motto, and a bit of summertime fun with their 4-H calves sums up EastGen’s four annual Showcase and Challenge youth events which wrapped up last week. Each year EastGen organizes and solely sponsors a series of four regional events held across their service area, in Spencerville, Ont.; Woodstock, Ont.; Markham, Ont.; and Truro, NS, for 4-H youth aged 14-21 (Ontario) and aged 13-21 (Atlantic provinces).
Participants spend time team building while learning at education sessions and then enter the ring for showmanship and conformation evaluations on show day. This year 343 Ontario 4-H dairy members and 96 4-H’ers from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia took part.
EastGen is proud to honour achievements in quiz writing, best barn display, top show ring results, and overall accomplishments by age division as well as overall grand champion and team/county of the show. EastGen’s youth events are a yearly highlight for staff and directors demonstrating the company’s unparalleled commitment to youth.
“Our EastGen team is always excited to host our four live youth events every year. Working with the next generation, who are so passionate and enthusiastic about the dairy and beef industry, is a true honour that we all eagerly anticipate,” says Paul Stewart, EastGen Marketing Manager. “Of special note this year, we marked the tenth anniversary of awarding the Andrea Crowe Inspirational Award at our Atlantic Showcase, and we introduced an annual award honouring the late Dr. Tim Henshaw at each of our three Ontario youth events.
The Tim Henshaw Awards of Excellence were presented to nominees at each event who reflected and effectively communicated Dr. Henshaw’s qualities of enthusiasm, encouragement, leadership, and devotion to serving others. Each recipient received a $750 cheque from EastGen. After two weeks of working at our youth events, we are all in absolute agreement; the future of our industry is in very good hands.”
2023 EastGen Showcase (Spencerville) Results:
July 3-4, 2023
Judge: Jon Raymond Dykstra, Kingston, PEI
Champion Showperson: Samantha Hildbrand, Russell
Reserve Champion Showperson: Cody Armstrong, Northumberland
Hon. Mention Showperson: Taylor Mathers, Dundas
Champion Calf: Nadia Uhr, Stormont, with Rapid Bay Going For Glory DT ET
Reserve Champion Calf: Taylor Mathers, Dundas, with Winright SL Sidekick Jade
Hon. Mention Calf: Isabella Dooley, Carleton, with Riverdown Altitude Abrooks
Overall Champion: Samantha Hildbrand, Russell
Reserve Overall Champion: Taylor Mathers, Dundas
Hon. Mention Overall Champion: Cody Armstrong, Northumberland
Top Quiz: Maria Prinzen, Prince Edward
Best Exhibit: Carleton
Premier County: Northumberland
Kevin Allen Memorial Award: Liam Kivits, Glengarry
Dr. Tim Henshaw Award of Excellence: Shayna Dickson, Leeds
2023 EastGen Challenge West (Woodstock) Results:
July 6-7, 2023
Judge: Morgon McMillan, Hastings, ON
Champion Showperson: Dani Karn, Elgin
Reserve Champion Showperson: Sydney Cain, Brant
Hon. Mention Showperson: Emma Lewis, Middlesex
Champion Calf: Ethan Bloomfield, Middlesex, with Up-Ridge Analyst Magnificent
Reserve Champion Calf: Donovan Martin, Waterloo, with London-DF Sidekick Monique
Hon. Mention Calf: Nathan Wilker, Oxford, with Kingsway Master Reveal
Overall Champion: Sydney Cain, Brant
Reserve Overall Champion: Ethan Bloomfield, Middlesex
Hon. Mention Overall Champion: Jackson Kaufman, Perth
Top Quiz: Corine Bateman, Brant and Seth Johnston, Perth (tie)
Best Exhibit: Waterloo
Premier County: Waterloo
Dr. Tim Henshaw Award of Excellence: Braden Sparks, Brant
2023 EastGen Challenge East (Markham) Results:
July 10-11, 2023
Judge: Jonathan Rylaarsdam, Winchester, ON
Champion Showperson: Caden Finley, Durham West
Reserve Champion Showperson: Emi Lange, North Simcoe
Hon. Mention Showperson: Carson Phoenix, Durham West
Champion Calf: Lily Beckett, York, with MS Tang Alligatr A Trick-ET
Reserve Champion Calf: Jaelynn Phoenix, Durham West, with Kentville Respect Rowbow
Hon. Mention Calf: Caden Finley, Durham West, with Karnview Warrior Snappy-Red
Overall Champion: Jaelynn Phoenix, Durham West
Reserve Overall Champion: Caden Finley, Durham West
Hon. Mention Overall Champion: Lily Beckett, York
Top Quiz: Grant Barkey, Durham East
Best Exhibit: Grey
Premier County: Durham West
Dr. Tim Henshaw Award of Excellence: Joanna Kapteyn, Grey
2023 EastGen Atlantic Showcase (Truro) Results:
July 12-14, 2023
Dairy Judge: Kyle Bouma, Sainte-Therese, NB
Beef Judge: Dale Black, Bloomfield, NB
Dairy Competition
Grand Overall Dairy: Sage Yuill, NS
Reserve Overall Dairy: Alena Moxsom, NS
Grand Champion Showperson: Alena Moxsom, NS
Reserve Champion Showperson: Emily Moxsom, NS
Hon. Mention Showperson: Sarah Versteeg, PEI
Grand Champion Calf: Sage Yuill, NS with Corrcroft Illustrator Beth
Reserve Champion Calf: Alexander Grant, NS with Browntown Queen Warrior
Hon. Mention Calf: Alena Moxsom, NS with Wilsoncrest Diamondback Astrid
Top Dairy Quiz: Sage Yuill, NS
Andrea Crowe Memorial Award: Elizabeth Heighton, NS
Beef Competition
Grand Overall Beef Award: Cassidy Holmes, PEI
Reserve Overall Beef: Madiya Patriquin, NS
Grand Champion Showperson: Cassidy Holmes, PEI
Reserve Champion Showperson: Austin Potts, PEI
Hon. Mention Showperson: Madiya Patriquin, NS
Grand Champion Beef Calf: Madiya Patriquin, NS with JEM Erica 24K
Reserve Champion Calf: Austin Potts, PEI with Big Ker Karma
Hon. Mention Calf: Elizabeth Heighton, NS with Balamore Valentina 247K
Top Beef Quiz: Lauren DeCoste, NS
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About EastGen: Committed to supporting youth in agriculture, EastGen’s administrative head office is located north of Guelph, Ont., and services our farmer-owners across Ontario, New Brunswick, PEI and Newfoundland. EastGen leads the industry with unmatched genetic innovation, leading edge technology and advanced reproductive solutions. EastGen, and their two partner cooperatives located in British Columbia and Quebec, are proud owners of Semex, which is recognized as a leader in developing and marketing elite dairy and beef genetics to customers around the world.
For more information please contact:
Tara Reynolds, EastGen, Marketing and Communications Specialist
Cell: 226-332-2264 or tara.reynolds@eastgen.ca
About 4-H Ontario: 4-H Ontario is a non-profit positive youth development organization that builds youth as leaders within their communities and assets to the world. With roots in rural Ontario, today it is open to youth of all backgrounds across the province. 4-H youth ages 6–21 and screened, engaged volunteer leaders come together to learn about selected topics through fun hands-on activities and mentorship. There are also provincial camps, conferences, competitions, and national and international travel opportunities available to further develop skills in leadership, business, self-confidence and more. 4-H provides youth with a place they can be involved, accepted, valued and heard while developing valuable skills for leadership and life.
For more information, please contact:
Mary Haurilak, Manager, Communications, 4-H Ontario
Cell: 519.803.5026, communications@4-hontario.ca
Top image: Picture of Champion Calf at EastGen Showcase in Spencerville. Nadia Uhr from Stormont with Rapid Bay Going for Glory DT ET. Photo courtesy of Lindsay Berry