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Showmanship Classes

These rules pertain to the Beef, Dairy, Goat, Sheep, and Swine Projects.

Beginner showmanship (County level only)— For any 4-H member who is in their first year of showing in this project (have never shown the project) and is in the 3rd or 4th grade as of January 1st of the current year. A 4-H member may exhibit in this division only once.

Junior showmanship— For any 4-H member who has previously exhibited in the project and is in the 4th, 5th or 6th grade as of January 1st of the current year. Past Junior Champions who are still in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade will show in the Intermediate Division.

Intermediate showmanship— For any 4-H member who is in the 7th, 8th or 9th grade as of January 1st of the current year. Past Intermediate champions who are still in 7th, 8th, or 9th grade will show in the Senior Division.

Senior showmanship— For any 4-H member who is in the 10th, 11th or 12th grade as of January 1st of current year.

Beginner, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior showmanship winners from the current year (plus past Senior Division champions may compete for Grand Champion Showman. A Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Showman will be chosen for each species.

These rules pertain to all livestock EXCEPT Horse and Pony, Poultry, Rabbits, and Llamas.  Please refer to the Horse and Pony, Poultry, Rabbits, and Llamas rules for specific information.

Supreme Livestock Showman

  1. The Grand Champion Showmanship winner in Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Goat(s), and Swine will be eligible to participate. Should the Grand Champion choose not to participate, the Reserve Grand Champion will then become eligible. An individual may only win Supreme Livestock Showman once. If a Grand Champion Showman Winner in a species was a previous Supreme Livestock Showman winner, the Reserve Grand Champion of that species will become eligible to participate in the Supreme Livestock Showman Contest.

  2. Each respective superintendent will select animals used for this contest ahead of time. Supreme Showman Contestants’ animals will not be used.

  3. One species will be shown at a time in this order: Swine, Beef, Goats part 1, Sheep, Dairy, and Goats part 2. Ten minutes will be allotted for each species.

  4. Contestants will draw numbers to determine which animals they show. The contestants will rotate each round the order that they pick their animals. For example, the youth that draws #1 will be the last person to choose an animal during the second round.

  5. Any equipment needed for showing will be provided by the superintendents.

  6. Contestants will wear blue jeans and white shirts or blouses.

  7. If a 4-Her is the Grand Champion Showman for 2 or more species, they can only show for one species group. By conclusion of the second show of which they are eligible they need to choose which specie group they will be representing.

  8. Contestants’ Names will not be announced until the end of the competition.

  9. All workers for this contest will sit on the stage in the Coliseum. No one will be allowed on the stage or behind the workers besides Junior Leaders helping with the contest, Livestock Superintendents, and 4-H staff members.

  10. In case of a tie, judges’ discretion will be used to determine the winner.

  11. Scoring will be provided by the livestock superintendents.

  12. At the end of the contest, all judges will report back to the designated area.

  13. Judges Score Sheets will not be returned to the contestants after the contest.  

  14. An Exhibitor that qualifies for Supreme Showmanship may elect to pass on the opportunity 1 time.  After that it is expected that they compete in Supreme or withdraw from the Grand Champion Showman competition for that species.

Special Awards: Traveling trophy and personal trophy by the Tippecanoe County 4-H Junior Leaders. Traveling trophy is displayed in the 4-H Fair Office.

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