Kids learn how to be masters in the ring when showing their animals

Photos: Showing Success Seminar

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By Elaine Morris Roberts Updated 8:58 AM Monday, March 15, 2010

SPRINGFIELD — Despite the heavy rains, hundreds of children and their parents flocked to the Clark County Fairgrounds on Saturday, March 13, to learn about selecting, raising and showing their 4-H livestock for the coming year.

The Showring Success Seminar, which featured hands-on training sessions with pigs, lambs and goats, was hosted by Southwest Landmark and Purina.

“The event is a fun educational opportunity for kids and their parents to learn how to succeed in the show ring,” said Bryan Vaughan, retail feed manager for Southwest Landmark and show pig ambassador for Purina Honor Show Chow.

Kent Bennington, a show pig expert from Indiana, answered a multitude of questions from children about breed choice, shoulder height, show weight and living quarters.

The most important thing owners can provide, he said, is a clean water source because water is integral to a pig’s successful feeding and overall health.

“We bring in some of the country’s top experts to help kids learn. Education is so important — we want to be where they go to get the information they need,” Vaughan said.

Levi Logue, 10, who listened intently to Bennington, said he learned “a lot about choosing a pig,” even though the youth of Liberty, Ind., has been raising them for five years with his father, Scott.

The Logue family drove to Clark County because, Scott said, this event was the closest high-quality show to their home.

“This is a great way for my son to get a good foundation and it keeps me up to speed on what’s happening in the industry,” Scott said.

The event also offered a session on quality assurance, a 4-H youth certification program with standards set by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

“Quality assurance teaches the kids proper, safe and humane methods to use with their animals,” Vaughan said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371

or elroberts@coxohio.com.

»Check out more photos from the seminar and other weekend events online at SpringfieldNewsSun.com/photos

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