Penn State Block & Bridle Club Holds 92nd Annual Little International Livestock Exposition
Posted: Apr 24, 2009
Sixty-four students showed animals at the 92nd Annual Little International Livestock Exposition at University Park in April.
Reserve Champion Overall Showman Cyrus Gehringer, Kutztown, PA, left, and Champion Overall Showman Courtney Cowden, Prosperity, PA.
After weeks of preparation and months of planning, the Penn State Block & Bridle Club hosted the 92nd Annual Little International Livestock Exposition (Little "I") on April 18th at the Snider Agricultural Arena, University Park.
Sixty-four students showed animals in the Little "I," half of whom were amateurs, never having shown animals previously.
Overall Champion Showman was Courtney Cowden, Prosperity, who had been named the champion sheep showman earlier in the day. She also was the Champion Sheep Fitter.
Reserve Champion Overall Showman was Cyrus Gehringer, Kutztown, who had been named Champion Heifer Showman earlier, and was also Champion Heifer Fitter.
Dr. Terry Etherton, Head of the Department of Dairy and Animal Science, said, "The Little "I" offers a terrific and unique opportunity for all students to gain the experience of caring for and showing animals. I commend all those who participated and offer special congratulations to Courtney and Cyrus for their outstanding performance."
The overall champions were selected from the champion showmen from each species - beef cattle, hogs, sheep and horses. Each of the champions participated in a "round robin" showmanship contest to choose the overall champions.
Other champions at the all day event include: Champion Horse Showman- Samantha Greives, Cranberry Twp; Champion Horse Fitter- Constance Anderson, Saltsburg; Champion Swine Showman- Orry Pratt, Meadville; and Champion Swine Fitter- Orry Pratt, Meadville.
This show allows students from the University to gain experience handling, showing and fitting beef cattle, hogs, sheep and horses. Participants are split into amateur and professional divisions based on their level of experience with their chosen species.
The show was managed by Block and Bridle Club members Kasey Woolam, South Windsor, CT, and Sarah Gutshall, Carlisle, PA. Congratulations to all of the participants and a huge thank you to all of our judges and the Little "I" committee for making this a successful and educational weekend!