East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

By Charlotte Baker

POMEROY– The Garfield County Spring Jackpot Preview Show awards many top awards for local and area exhibitors over the two-day event April 8-9.

Coordinators Sherry Ledgerwood (beef) and Becky Tetrick (swine) of the Garfield County Spring Jackpot Preview Show expanded the event to two days; Friday for beef and Saturday for swine events to allow time for the many participants an opportunity to show effectively.

The Spring Jackpot Preview provides participants an opportunity to practice showing their animal in preparation to showing at other events, as well as observe others in similar classes. Top winners, those achieving champion and reserve champion status, will reap awards. Many of the local exhibitors will go on to the Youth Livestock Show of Spokane in Spokane, Wash. May 3–7, 2022.

This year, winners in the beef division are Ty Davis of Rathdrum, Idaho, Champion Steer; Alyssa Williams of Ritzville, Wash., Reserve Champion Steer; Katie Belles of Spangle, Wash., Champion Heifer; Kyle Bells, Spangle, Wash., Reserve Champion Heifer; Tyler Dixon of Pomeroy, Wash., Champion Jr. Showman; Naomi Dirks of Athol Idaho, Reserve Champion Jr. Showman; Kashley Brown of Spokane, Wash., Champion Intermediate Showman; and Kaine Geddes, Connell, Wash., Reserve Champion Intermediate Showman.

Winners for swine are Hannah Muhlbeier, Grand Champion Breeding Gilt, Senior Grand Champion Showman, Reserved Champion Market Hog, and Overall Swine Showman; Kadin Peterson, Reserve Champion Breeding Gilt; Kenley Tetrick, Pee Wee Grand Champion Showman; Tucker Wolf, Pee Wee Reserve Champion Showman and Junior Grand Champion Showman; Ty Knopp, Junior Reserve Champion Showman; Cruz Knopp, Intermediate Grand Champion Showman; Baylor Reedy, Intermediate Reserve Champion Showman; and Rylie Gregg, Senior Reserve Champion Showman.

-Photos courtesy of Sherry Ledgerwood

2022 Reserve Champion Steer – Alyssa Williams, Ritzville, Wash.

The Jackpot show is traditionally a one-day event where 4-H and FFA exhibitors can prepare for county and state fairs. Each event is planned by local organizers who schedule and promote the show to the community. "Typically, Jackpot Shows are a one-day event open to ALL youth in different age brackets, said Randy Williams Lincoln/Adams 4-H Program Coordinator for the Washington State University extension office. "4-H and FFA members who are preparing their animals for County or State Fair can utilize these shows as a way to gain more experience in preparing, fitting and showing a steer, hog, lamb or goat. Livestock enthusiasts who organize a Jackpot Show secure the show facility, seek sponsorship money from local businesses, advertise, and distribute entry forms," Williams continued. "For most jackpot organizers, a highly qualified judge is critical to the success of the show; an individual who is knowledgeable, can relate to kids, and is talented on the microphone is paramount.

In addition, some show venues sometimes offer educational clinics on topics such as nutrition and feeding, animal care, livestock management, showing techniques and preparation among other focuses. Participants are contestants in other Jackpot Preview Shows around the state which further skill development and knowledge.