Local youth shine in showmanship

By Carrie A. Mizell

Leave it to a showmanship judge from Georgia to pick a hog named “Peaches” and a Trenton boy with a big smile as first place in the primary division of the swine showmanship contest on Monday.
Will Sumner of the Flatwoods Friends 4-H Club was called back in the primary showmanship contest by Judge Paul Wiggly of Calhoun County, Georgia. The son of Rhett and Lolly Sumner, Will is a fourth grade student at Trenton Elementary School.

Primary showmanship winners are shown, front row, l-r: Michael Smith-third place,
Wyatt Thornton-second place and Will Sumner-first place. Back row, l-r,
Suwannee River Fair President Loran Brookins and Swine Showmanship Judge Paul Wiggly.

Despite 2010 marking only Will’s second year with a pig, his showmanship skills are impeccable, according to Wiggly.
“Showmanship is a team effort,” Wiggly said, before naming Will the winner based on his ability to keep eye contact with the judge, the cleanliness of Peaches and his agility in keeping his animal in front of the judge.
“This young man has the best control over his animal,” Wiggly said. “He has done a super job keeping his pig moving.”
From a primary division group of seven top showmen, Wiggly selected Wyatt Thornton of Gator Country 4-H Club as second place and Michael Smith of Udderly Perfect 4-H Club as third place. Overall, the three boys swept the swine showmanship competition for Gilchrist County. A complete list of fair winners will be in next week’s Journal.