Washington 4-H?ers take honors at final drive

Washington County 4-H?ers earned several high honors at the annual Final Drive Livestock Show held at the Des Moines County Fair Sunday, July 23.

This prestigious livestock show invites the county fair Grand Champions from Washington, Louisa, Henry, Des Moines, Jefferson, and Muscatine county fairs to compete against each other at a regional competition. This is a unique show, as it is by invite only for the best of each county to compete against their neighboring counties.

Spencer Arnold, member of the Riverside Ramblers, was awarded the Grand Champion Market Goat. Haley Sweeting, member of the Riverside Ramblers, earned Reserve Champion Breeding Doe. Taylor Brinning was a substitute showman for her sister Morgan Brinning, member of Prairie Pride, who earned Reserve Champion Breeding Gilt.

76 Progressives 4-H member Erin Chalupa, daughter of Nate and Anne Chalupa of Keota, received the Danny Campbell Memorial Scholarship which was recognized at the event. Chalupa will attend Iowa State University this fall.

Spencer Arnold received the highest showmanship honor as the Supreme Champion Showman of the Final Drive. Showmanship was evaluated by a series of judges throughout all species the entire day. In the ring the judge commented about Arnold, ?This guy embodies so much passion and I can tell he loves what he does and he has a true passion for livestock and this industry.?

Arnold graduated this May and reflects on his showing career.

?As my career comes to an end all I can think about is how much I love what I do,? Arnold said. ?I play my fondest memories over and over wondering what the outcome would have been if I changed one factor. The most frequent change I wanted to make was myself, my ability to present my animal to its highest quality. That?s where it starts.?

Arnold notes that hard work, determination, and goals can conquer money and name if one is willing to work through winning and losing, muscle aches, long hours, criticism, and distractions. Arnold will continue to show and represent Washington County 4-H with his Final Drive and Washington County Fair Grand Champion Market Meat Goat at the All Iowa Showdown in Osceola Saturday, Aug. 5.

Watch ?Washington County 4-H ? Iowa? on Facebook for State Fair 4-H results as they come available between Aug. 10-20.