The Marion County Livestock shows over the weekend ended Sunday afternoon with the Master Showmanship competition.
Winning the Senior Showmanship Award was Hallie Borcherding of Iuka. The 16-year-old Salem Community High School student grew up on a farm and has spent her life working with animals.
“I normally show sheep and pigs,” Borcherding said. “I’ve shown sheep since I was about three years old. I started showing pigs at 11 and absolutely fell in love with it. My cousin was willing to let me show his bull calf and I’m very appreciative of that. I’m so grateful for all of my family and friends, and my parents and grandparents who help me prepare. My parents helped be in the barn every night, just working with me, giving me critiques and helping me learn new things.
Borcherding advances to the state showmanship competition at the state fair later this month.
The junior showmanship winner was Mattie Borcherding of Iuka.
“What I did with my pig was practice showing him the night before,” Mattie said. “With my sheep, I practiced setting her up and walking her. Cows, I worked with the one that I borrowed from my brother’s friend. I worked with her this morning and it went really good.”
Mattie is a student at Iuka Grade School and plans to pursue livestock showing in the future.
The Reserve Senior Master Showman is Kinlee Thompson. The Reserve Junior Master Showman is Levi Vandeveer.
