STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State celebrated Block and Bridle’s Little International, or “Little I,” recently during Blue and White week, April 16.
At the 94th annual Little International, four species of Penn State livestock including horses, heifers, swine and ewes were exhibited by students in the College of Agricultural Sciences and by other students as well.
Event details
A silent auction to benefit next year’s show was held in the mezzanine of the Ag Arena throughout the day.
The day started with the professional rounds of sheep showmanship and horse showmanship, followed by fitting classes.
Amateurs then had their turn to display what they had learned about showmanship and fitting in the few weeks prior to the show. Champions were chosen, the pigs and heifers took the arena, and the same process began again.
Round details
After each round was completed, the champions and reserve champions from each species took part in the highly competitive round robin contest to determine the overall champion and reserve champion.
During round robin, the four champions and the four reserves participate in showing an animal of each species. The judges place the showman again and whoever receives the highest placing wins overall champion and the second high showman receives reserve overall champion.
Competing in the overall class were: Robbie McCammon, Bridgewater, Va., sheep champion; Tony Miller, Northern Cambria, Pa., swine champion; Frank Telesz, Manhattan, Kan., cattle champion; and Justene Testa, Westmoreland, Pa., horse champion, battled it out for Overall Champion.
Ashley Bennet, sheep reserve; Josh Ebert, Blairsville, Pa., swine reserve; Ryan Fairburn, cattle reserve; and Jenna Maholavich, Erie, Pa., horse reserve, competed for Overall Reserve Champion.
In the end, the two swine showman, Miller and Ebert were awarded overall champion and reserve champion rosettes.
After a long day of showing, members adjourned to the Little I Banquet held at Celebration Hall.
