ALEXANDRIA, Ind. —
Towering over his steer during Wednesday’s Supreme Showmanship competition, Brandon Brunt seemed to have little trouble directing it where to go.
“It helps to be 6-foot-4,” Brunt said.
Brunt was awarded the Supreme Showman trophy after four rounds. Each round featured a different species of livestock; swine, sheep, goats and steers.
Though Brunt qualified for the competition through showing goats, he displayed his steer with mastery. When a fellow competitor struggled to get her steer to budge, Brunt nudged it from behind while simultaneously pulling his own steer.
However, according to judge Andrea Schwartz, it was Brunt’s answers that separated him as champion. Throughout the competition Schwartz asked all four competitors various questions while they were showing their animals. The questions revolved around their experiences through 4-H. Schwartz was especially impressed with a response Brunt gave about what he learned the most.
“He answered with a quote from his dad about how people will respect you by the way you handle yourself when you lose,” Schwartz said.
Brunt said he’s been on the other side of the coin many times throughout his eight years in 4-H, and has always tried to keep his head held high.
“Most people that participate in 4-H will feel the pain of defeat and the joy of victory,” Brunt said.
Schwartz said the reason the participant’s answers played such a big part in her decision was because employers tend to look for young people who can communicate well.
Brunt still has two years remaining in high school, and said he plans on majoring in business at Purdue University. He hopes to have a career in agriculture.
For showman Garrett Lowes there’s more to the contest than just a trophy. At the end of the competition, each 4-H’er was given a final question by Schwartz about what they would tell a young person thinking about getting involved in 4-H. Lowes said he would tell them about the friendships they would form.
“These are three of my best friends right here,” Lowes said.
Contact Sam Brattain: 640-4883, sam.brattain@heraldbulletin.com
4-H Fair
Related Videos
Related Photos
-
Fair Queen Katie McDermit gives Brandon Brunt his Supreme Showmanship trophy during the Madison County 4-H Fair on Wednesday. Don Knight
Discussion
Champion exhibits more than just showmanship
- 4-H Fair
-
-
On yet another muggy day, 4-H Fair closes
Bracelet Day at the Madison County 4-H Fair almost resembled an old western ghost town Saturday afternoon.
-
Madison County 4-H Fair: Day 6
Photos from the Madison County 4-H Fair on Thursday
-
Showmanship and responsibility
The Mares family of Lapel will bring a total of 21 horses to the Madison County 4-H Fair this week, but most of those horses will be shown by horseless children. “It teaches them responsibility and good manners,” grandfather Carl Mares said of the fair.
-
4-H Fair schedule: July 22
The Madison County 4-H Fair has activities through Saturday at the 4-H Fairgrounds at Beulah Park in Alexandria.
-
Madison County 4-H Fair: Day 5
Photos from the Madison County 4-H Fair on Thursday.
-
Many 4-H’ers donate earnings back to organization
As a 10-year 4-H member, Lydia Alexander, of Elwood, wanted to do something special during Thursday’s 4-H auction. Instead of pocketing the money she earned from auctioning her lamb, Alexander donated it back to the Madison County 4-H Association.
-
Champion exhibits more than just showmanship
Towering over his steer during Wednesday’s Supreme Showmanship competition, Brandon Brunt seemed to have little trouble directing it where to go.
“It helps to be 6-foot-4,” Brunt said. -
Madison County 4-H Fair: Day 3
Photos from the Madison County 4-H Fair in Alexandria on Tuesday.
-
4-H’ers show off livestock
Despite temperatures reaching 95 degrees, area 4-H kids did their best to show off their livestock in the sweltering show arenas where mounted metal fans were turned on “high.”
-
Madison County 4-H Fair: Day 2
Photos from the second day at the 4-H Fair and feature on Jared Burke during the Swine showings.
- More 4-H Fair Headlines
-
Defense Rests in John Edwards Trial
GM Says It Will Stop Paying for Ads on Facebook
911 Call: Confusion at Home Where Mom Shot Kids
Jury Convicts Steve Powell of Voyeurism Charges
Skechers to Pay $40 Million for Bogus Claims
Coffee May Be Key to Living Longer
Police to Groom of Slain Bride: Turn Yourself In
Laurie Fine: My Life Has Been Destroyed
FTC: Skechers Deceived Consumers With Shoe Ads
FBI Confirms Leak Probe on Al-Qaida Plot
Romney Calls Obama a 'Disappointment'
Honda Unveils New Robotics-powered Scooter
NJ Gov., Mayor Channel Seinfeld in Video Parody
Blood Drive for Woman With Flesh-Eating Disease
AG Race Tops Oregon Primary Interest
Obama Welcomes Beckham, Galaxy to White House
Raw Video: Mladic's Genocide Trial Under Way
Court Records Detail Zimmerman Injuries
Local Community Prepares for G8 Summit
New Guidelines for US Nuclear Plants
