Submitted
On Monday, 8-year 4-H member Jayden Williams heard her name called as the 2021 Royal Showmanship contest winner at the Hamilton County 4-H Fair. As the Pygmy goat representative, it was also her first chance at showcasing her showmanship skills thanks to an animal that she’s helped raised since a child.
“When they called my name, I was in shock at first. I was just really excited to be in the contest and represent the Pygmy Goat Barn,” she said. “I thought of all the hard work it took to be here and then seeing my family in the stands supporting me was an amazing feeling.”
Royal Showmanship includes senior showman – high school aged 4-H’ers – from rabbits, poultry, cats, llamas, dogs and Pygmy goat projects. They compete to master the showmanship techniques not only of their own animal, but of all six species. A qualified judge from each species puts the contestants through their paces with each animal – never knowing for certain which 4-H’ers won which species. Judges score the participants based on their handling of the animal and rank them accordingly.
“Throughout the show, I had a couple of animals that didn’t want to cooperate,” said Williams. “But the judges aren’t judging the animals, they are looking at our showmanship. While everyone wants all of their animals to be perfectly behaved, when they don’t, staying cool, calm and collective can make you stand out.”
Williams said all Royal Showmanship participants are given a packet about each animal. She said some of the species contained only a few pages while others were quite thick. Since participants have just days to prepare, Williams said the biggest help for her was fellow 4-H’ers, her sister, Hayley, and friend, Julia Motto.
“Everyone was so open to share and teach me about their animals. It also gave me an excuse to learn about all of these types of showmanships,” she said.
Williams said that she had an “awesome experience” at the 2021 Hamilton County 4-H Fair and credits the program for the impact it has on who she is. With two upcoming 4-H fairs left, Williams said her focus is now on meat goats that she also shows and the chance to compete for the Supreme Showmanship title.
“I’m super excited we are back on the fairgrounds and have our animals there,” she said. “One of my favorite parts about the county fair is having the families and kids come ask questions and pet our animals. Sometimes we are their first interaction with animals and the agriculture industry.”
Williams is the daughter of Jayson and Tina Williams, who both work for the City of Noblesville, and a member of the Walnut Lassies & Laddies 4-H Club. The Noblesville resident will be an incoming junior at Hamilton Heights High School.