Nearly 300 spectators took advantage of the mild weather and filled the OSU Horse Center on Sawmill Road Saturday for the 86th Little International livestock competition.
Held yearly by the Saddle and Sirloin club, the day features showmanship competitions in swine, sheep, beef and horses, according to Little International co-chair Linde Calhoun. The competitors were judged on how well their animals were groomed and presented to the judge.
The competition was broken into both experienced and inexperiencedcategories. The animals were provided by OSU-owned farms.
“Little I is a chance for students throughout the university to learn more about different species of livestock,” said Calhoun, a junior animal science major. “It`s more of a fun event but also promotes competition among the students,” she said.
Added new to this year`s event was a dairy showmanship class. The group wanted to make some changes that would include all species, including dairy heifers, Calhoun said.
“Although we only had five participants this year, it was a start and now we`ve got our foot in the door,” Calhoun said. The group hopes to expand the dairy showmanship competition in the future.
“Besides the fun, Little I also gives students the opportunity to work more closely with faculty, staff and other students,” said co-chair Matt Gompf, a junior animal science major. Nearly 190 students and numerous faculty and staff members participated in the event.
“I looked at it as a way to meet people who also like to show livestock,” said Sara Leonard, a freshman animal science major, who also took advantage of showing for bonus points in her animal science class. “It`s nice to be able to help other students who want to learn more about horses too,” she said. Leonard took top honors in the horse showmanship category.
Other winners were also animal science majors, including freshman ChadEndsley, swine; junior Jeremy Bradford, sheep; freshman Lisa MarieEhlerding, beef; and senior Bryan Gortner, dairy.
James Kinder, chair of the animal science department, was pleased with the event.
“The club really does a nice job and puts on an impressive event, one of the nicest I`ve seen at any university,” he said. “Every student in the club is to be commended for their work and dedication.”
Saddle and Sirloin is the largest student organization on the OSU campus, according to club vice president Natalie Geer, a junior animal science major. The club and its activities are open to any student interested in the livestock and meat industries.
