Dairy Shows Times & Rules
Junior Dairy Showmanship & Confirmation Show
Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 9 am in Show Barn
- All dairy animals for exhibit must be in place not later than 1:00 p.m., Fair Monday.
- The Junior Dairy Show is open only to Clarke and Frederick County 4-H or FFA members enrolled in the dairy project by January 1 of the year of the show. All 4-H’ers and FFA’ers planning to exhibit dairy animals at the Clarke County Fair must have their updated project checked no later than the first day of the current year’s fair. All 4-H and FFA entries must have been personally managed, cared for, and owned or leased by the exhibitor making the entry by June 30 of the current project year.
- For the 2025 year, no open entries will be permitted. It is limited to a show for 4-H and FFA members only.
- All dairy cattle exhibited must meet the cattle health requirements as listed in the Animal Health Regulations section of the fair catalog. Health papers must accompany each animal entered at the fair. They must be shown to a designated committee member before being unloaded at fair.
- 4-H and FFA members may compete in all open classes.
- No entry fee will be charged for cattle exhibited in open competition.
- Each breed will be shown separately, and the winner of each breed will compete for Supreme Champion.
- For 2025 there will be Milk Cow Classes; please reach out to co*******@*ol.com for details.
- All 4-H and FFA members must participate in the dairy showmanship classes in order to receive Junior Show premiums.
- All dairy cattle exhibited must be registered.
- Showmanship classes will be divided into Novice, Junior, Intermediate and Senior. Novice Showmen will be those youth who have not shown dairy as a 4-H or FFA project previously at the Clarke County Fair. Junior Showman will be those exhibitors who will be 9, 10 and 11 years of age as of September 30, 2025. Intermediate showmen will be those exhibitors who will be 12 and 13 years of age as of September 30, 2025 and Senior Showmen are those exhibitors who will be 14 years of age and older as of September 30, 2025.
| CLASSES | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | Grand & Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHOWMANSHIP | ||||||
| Novice Showmanship | Ribbon | Ribbon | Ribbon | Ribbon | Ribbon | Banner |
| Junior Showmanship | Ribbon | Ribbon | Ribbon | Ribbon | Ribbon | Banner |
| Intermediate Showmanship | Ribbon | Ribbon | Ribbon | Ribbon | Ribbon | Banner |
| Senior Showmanship | Ribbon | Ribbon | Ribbon | Ribbon | Ribbon | Banner |
| Overall Grand Champion | Banner | |||||
| Overall Reserve Champion | Banner | |||||
| CONFIRMATION CLASSES | ||||||
| Spring Heifer Calf born after March 1, year of show | 15.00 | 12.00 | 10.00 | 8.00 | 5.00 | |
| Winter Heifer Calf born Dec. 1, 2018-Feb. 28, 2019 | 15.00 | 12.00 | 10.00 | 8.00 | 5.00 | |
| Fall Heifer Calf born Sept. 1, 2018-Nov. 30, 2018 | 15.00 | 12.00 | 10.00 | 8.00 | 5.00 | |
| Summer Yearling Heifer born June 1, 2018-Aug. 31, 2018 | 15.00 | 12.00 | 10.00 | 8.00 | 5.00 | |
| Spring Yearling Heifer born Mar. 1, 2018-May 31, 2018 | 15.00 | 12.00 | 10.00 | 8.00 | 5.00 | |
| Winter Yearling Heifer born Dec. 1, 2017-Feb. 28, 2018 | 15.00 | 12.00 | 10.00 | 8.00 | 5.00 | |
| Fall Yearling Heifer born Sept. 1, 2017-Nov. 30, 2017 | 15.00 | 12.00 | 10.00 | 8.00 | 5.00 | |
| Junior Champion Female | Banner | |||||
| Junior Reserve Champion Female | Banner | |||||
| (Winners of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 will compete) | ||||||
| Junior Champion of each Breed | Rosette | |||||
| Reserve Junior Champion of each Breed | Rosette | |||||
| Junior Champion Holstein | Rosette | |||||
| Reserve Junior Champion Holstein | Rosette | |||||
| Reserve Junior Champion Jersey | Rosette | |||||
| Supreme Junior Champion Female (All breeds champion) | Banner | |||||
| Reserve Supreme Champion Female (All breeds champion) | Banner | |||||
Junior Dairy Showmanship Awards
The first place winners in the novice, junior, intermediate, and senior divisions of the showmanship classes will receive a banner presented by the Clarke County Ruritan Club. The engraved brushes are donated by Kevin and Laura Jackson.
Nana's Award
Given in memory of Carter Hardesty, the recipient of this award is a senior 4-Her who, like Carter, displays the characteristics of kindness, fair play, and willingness to include everyone around them. To be decided by the 4-H leaders.
John O. Hardesty Memorial Junior Dairy Exhibitor Award
This award, in memory of John O. Hardesty, has been established by Harvue Farm to recognize the 4-H or FFA member who displayed the most sportsmanship, helping hand, and genuine care toward his/her fellow exhibitors. The award is to be voted on by junior dairy exhibitors on Friday of Fair week.
Herdsman Award
In memory of Frank C. Sowers, who supported and promoted youth, a special award sponsored by the Sowers family is presented to a Clarke County 4-H/FFA dairy exhibitor who does the best job caring for and preparing his/her animal throughout the week. To be decided by the 4-H leaders.
The Unsung Hero Award
The Dickey Family will sponsor an award to recognize a first or second year 4-H or FFA member who shows the attitude, energy, and initiative to constantly progress in their knowledge and ability by caring for and learning from their 4-H project. To be judged by 4-H Leaders.
Best Young Showman
Pre 4-Her who works the hardest throughout the week taking care of his or her animal. Sponsored by Agri-Labs. To be decided by the 4-H leaders.
Best All Around 4-Her
Demonstrates outgoing attitude while displaying and caring for his/her animal. Shows enthusiasm when talking with the public as they visit the barn. To be decided by the 4-H leaders. Sponsored by the Roberts Family.
Charles J Ward Memorial Award
This award, in memory of Charles Ward, is given to the dairy club member who, like Mr. Ward, displays the true spirit of friendship. This person is eager to help others, is friendly, and makes everyone feel included. Mr. Ward was a quiet, kind presence in the dairy barn for over 40 years. He is missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Big/Little Pair Award
This award is sponsored by Braithwaite Family Donnell Family and will be awarded to the Big and little pair that meshed the best. This pair was inseparable during fair week and really demonstrated how team work should and can be effective. This award will be decided on by the 4H leaders.
Outstanding Parent Award
This award is to honor that special parent who went above and beyond all fair week. The one that kicks in when needed All Breeds Champion Supreme Showmanship Winner All Breed Champion
Little Independent Award
WARD This award is sponsored by The Moyer Family and determined by the leaders. This award is presented to the pre 4her who shows his/her calf completely independently on show day. This pre 4her is so confident in his/her relationship with the calf and certain that no big kid help is needed to hold onto the calf or help in any way.