Updated March, 2017
MASTER SHOWMANSHIP
The purpose of Master Showmanship Competition is to become knowledgeable about different
species and become skilled in exhibiting them. Observing the various 4-H species shows and
asking assistance from other 4-Hers is strongly encouraged.
1. Species exhibited in the Master Showmanship contest will match those exhibited in the
Illinois State Fair Master Showmanship Contest. The species are: Beef, Swine, and Sheep.
2. The Champion Senior Division Showmanship winners in all hooved livestock species
(Equine, Sheep, Goat, Swine, Beef, Dairy Cattle) are eligible to participate in this contest.
Should the Champion Senior Division Showmanship winner choose not to participate, the
reserve champion will become eligible.
3. The order of species shown is: Sheep, Swine, Beef.
4. A 4-H member who qualifies for this contest in more than one species must choose which
species he/she will represent. The reserve champion of the species not selected will be
asked to participate.
5. Exhibitor must secure their own animals for the contest. Animals will not be provided.
Exhibitor may use their own animal(s).
6. One judge may judge more than one species. These judges may be separate from those
who judged the regular qualifying species shows.
7. Contestants will be graded using a score card. Scores from all showings will be totaled to
determine the winner. One point will be awarded to the top showman, through 5 points for
fifth place. The lowest score wins the contest. If a tie occurs, it will be broken in favor of the
contestant, who won the most classes, if still tied, by the contestant with the most seconds,
etc.
8. Champion and Reserve Champion awards will be presented.
State Fair information for Master Showmanship winner:
NOTE: Winner is responsible to submit your entry by August 1.
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Participants in the Master Showmanship Contest at the Illinois State Fair must supply their own livestock for the
competition. Each exhibitor must own or borrow each: a steer or heifer, a market or breeding lamb, and a market hog
or breeding gilt. THE MSC WILL NOT SUPPLY ANIMALS FOR COMPETITION
The state event will simultaneously run three species contests with separate judges in each ring. The beef division
will run in the junior beef ring, and the swine and sheep divisions will run in the junior swine rings.
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Participants will be scored based on overall showmanship abilities and given a score after each round.
All participants at the state contest will receive a t-shirt and be required to wear the T-shirt during the Master
Showmanship competition
Due to timing and scheduling constraints, no special accommodations will be made to allow an exhibitor to
participate in simultaneous events on the fairgrounds the evening of the MSC. If the exhibitor is not present at
the beginning of the state contest, he or she will automatically be disqualified from competition.
The state contest will adhere to any and all guidelines in relation to the Illinois State Fair issued by the Illinois
Department of Agriculture.