Livestock Exhibition Contests
Livestock Club Representatives: Tabitha Ulmer & Emily Donaldson
Friday, August 29, 2025 – 4:30 pm
Participation Rules
- Animals in this show must be from those in the fair barns.
- Pre-register your pet entry via email: tabithaulmer21@gmail.com at least two weeks prior to fair entry so pens can be planned.
- All animals must be tame and easily controlled by the youth exhibitor.
- All animals must be clean and dry to participate in these contests.
- All animals are subject to veterinary inspection before unloading at the fairgrounds. The veterinarian’s decision is final.
- All animals must be free of infectious and contagious diseases. These could include but not limited to ringworm, warts, pinkeye, sore mouth, foot rot, and Caseous Lymphadenitis. Animals currently being treated for any of the listed conditions that are visibly responding to treatment must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) dated within 30 days of show. No intact male livestock may be shown.
- Exhibitors need to maintain a clean space for their animal(s). Barn manager will assign pen/stall. Final pen/stall clean out is expected once the exhibitor’s animals have left the pen/stall. Failure to complete final clean-out will result in a $25 per pen/stall fee.
- Livestock exhibitors must supply all feed needed for their animal(s), which can be stored in livestock trailers or tack space. Fresh, non-chlorinated water is provided for animals by a donor.
- The Livestock Exhibition Contests are open to exhibitors of all ages. Participants in any of the listed contests with an animal that is not owned need to sign a waiver before participating. Entries in each contest should be made by noon on Friday of Fair week. Contest sign-up sheets can be found in the Ag Education Barn.
COSTUME CONTESTS
This show is a fun-filled experience for exhibitors as well as spectators. Both the sheep/goat/hog/steer/rabbit and the exhibitor should dress for the occasion. Exhibitors must choose whether to enter class with a sheep, goat, hog, steer, or a rabbit, but not more than one animal in said class. Exhibitors must write a narrative about their costumes and turn it into the show coordinator, Tabitha Ulmer (540) 430-1436, prior to the contest. There are two costume sections.
SECTION I – FAIR THEME
“All Hearts Come Home to Highland”
In this section, the judges will be looking for the costume that best represents the theme of this year’s fair. You get to choose a costume and create a short story that connects it to your animal. During the contest, your story will be read out loud.
Class
- Senior Division (ages 13-18)
- Intermediate Division (ages 9-12)
- Junior Division (ages 6-8)
- Preschool Division (ages 0-5)
- Adult Division (ages 19+)
PRIZES: 1st-$10; 2nd-$8; 3rd-$5
SECTION II – CONTESTANT’S CHOICE
Participants in this section are encouraged to dress creatively and create a short story about your costume that will be read out loud during the contest.
Class
- Senior Division (ages 13-18)
- Intermediate Division (ages 9-12)
- Junior Division (ages 6-8)
- Preschool Division (ages 0-5)
- Adult Division (ages 19+)
PRIZES: 1st-$10; 2nd-$8; 3rd-$5
OBSTACLE COURSE CONTEST
The obstacle course is a timed event that provides challenges for the exhibitor and excitement for the spectators.
Class
- Sheep or Goat Entries
- Senior Division (ages 13-18)
- Intermediate Division (ages 9-12)
- Junior Division (ages 6-8)
- Preschool Division (ages 0-5)
- Adult Division (ages 19+)
- Cattle Entries
- Senior Division (ages 13-18)
- Intermediate Division (ages 9-12)
- Junior Division (ages 6-8)
- Preschool Division (ages 0-5)
- Adult Division (ages 19+)
PRIZES: 1st-$10; 2nd-$8; 3rd-$5
RABBIT RACE
- All rabbits entered in the race must be housed in the livestock barns during the fair and must be registered prior to the race.
- The course will be a designated straight and enclosed track. Rabbits must stay within the marked boundaries to remain in the race.
- Only one handler per rabbit is allowed. Handlers may guide their rabbits using gentle encouragement but may not touch or carry the rabbit during the race. No external devices, food, or other aids are permitted to lure or distract the rabbits.
- Aggressive rabbits may be disqualified for safety reasons.
- The first rabbit to cross the finish line wins. In the event of a tie, a rerun may be held.
- The safety of the rabbits is the top priority. Any mistreatment of rabbits will result in immediate disqualification and removal from the event.
PRIZES: 1st-$10; 2nd-$8; 3rd-$5
Livestock Pet Contests
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 & Thursday, August 28, 2025
Immediately Following the Specific Livestock Show
Participation Rules
- Pet classes are organized by the Livestock Exhibition Show coordinator and are not part of the 4-H and FFA Livestock Show.
- Animals shown in the 4-H and FFA livestock market show and sale may not be shown in the pet contests.
- Pre-register your pet entry via email: tabithaulmer21@gmail.com at least two weeks prior to fair entry so pens can be planned. Pet and rabbit entries are the only non-sale animals allowed in the barns.
- All animals are subject to veterinary inspection before unloading at the fairgrounds. The veterinarian’s decision is final.
- Animals in this contest must be housed in the Fair Livestock barn as assigned by the barn manager from Tuesday following veterinarian inspection until one hour after the livestock sale ends on Saturday.
- All animals must be free of infectious and contagious diseases. These could include but not limited to ringworm, warts, pinkeye, sore mouth, foot rot, and Caseous Lymphadenitis. Animals currently being treated for any of the listed conditions that are visibly responding to treatment must have a Certificate of
- Veterinary Inspection (CVI) dated within 30 days of show. No intact male livestock may be shown.
- All animals must be tame and easily controlled by the youth exhibitor.
- All animals must be clean and dry to participate in these contests.
- Livestock exhibitors must supply all feed needed for their animal(s), which can be stored in livestock trailers or tack space. Fresh, non-chlorinated water is provided for animals by a donor.
- Exhibitors need to maintain a clean space for their animal(s). Final pen/stall clean-out is required once the exhibitor’s animals have exited the pen/stall. Failure to complete final clean-out will result in a $25 fee per unapproved pen/stall.
- Pet lambs will be exhibited immediately following the 4-H & FFA Sheep Show. Pet goats will be exhibited immediately following the 4-H & FFA Goat Show. Pet calves will be exhibited immediately following the 4-H & FFA Cattle Show.
- Direct questions to Tabitha Ulmer at (540) 430-1436 or tabithaulmer21@gmail.com.
All pet lambs, goats, and calves must be led by owner during the class. Open to all age participants.
Class
- Pet Lamb
- Pet Goat
- Pet Calf (newborn to 400 lbs.)
PRIZES: 1st-$10
Rabbit Show
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 – Saturday, August 30, 2025
Participation Rules
- Rabbit classes are organized by the Livestock Exhibition Show coordinator and are not part of the 4-H and FFA Livestock Show.
- Pre-register your pet entry via email: tabithaulmer21@gmail.com at least two weeks prior to fair entry. Pet and rabbit entries are the only non-sale animals allowed in the barns.
- All animals are subject to veterinary inspection before unloading at the fairgrounds. The veterinarian’s decision is final.
- Animals in this contest must be housed in the Fair Livestock/Ag Ed Barn as assigned by the barn manager from Tuesday following veterinarian inspection until one hour after the livestock sale ends on Saturday.
- All animals must be free of infectious and contagious diseases. These could include but not limited to ringworm, warts, pinkeye, sore mouth, foot rot, and Caseous Lymphadenitis. Animals currently being treated for any of the listed conditions that are visibly responding to treatment must have a Certificate of
- Veterinary Inspection (CVI) dated within 30 days of show.
- All animals must be clean and dry to participate in this contest.
- Livestock exhibitors must supply all feed needed for their animal(s), which can be stored in livestock trailers or tack space. Fresh, non-chlorinated water is provided for animals by a donor.
- Exhibitors need to maintain a clean space for their animal(s). Final pen/stall clean-out is required once the exhibitor’s animals have exited the pen/stall. Failure to complete final clean-out will result in a $25 fee per unapproved pen/stall.
- Direct questions to Tabitha Ulmer at (540) 430-1436 or tabithaulmer21@gmail.com.
Open to all age participants.
Class
- Buck
- Doe
- Litter
PRIZES: 1st-$3; 2nd-$2; 3rd-$1; Best of Show-$5