The third time was the charm for Brent Runyan.
For the past three years, the North Montgomery High School graduate found himself competing for the coveted Champion Overall Showman at the Montgomery County 4-H Fair. Last year he was runner-up. On Wednesday, he earned the top spot, and the moment did not disappoint.
“It was an honor to be out in the ring and competing,” Runyan said. “When you look at the list of previous winners it contains a lot of names who have gone on to be successful in our community. I am humbled to be on that list now.”
Runyan, a member of the Wayne Winners 4-H Club, took the time to work with several different species of animals to prepare himself for the competition. In the past few weeks he visited others who were able to help him fine tune his showmanship skills.
This year competitors had to show six different species — beef cattle, horses, dairy goats, meat goats, sheep and swine.
Runyan was crowned the champion dairy goat breed showman to advance to the final competition.
Runyan, who exhibited swine and goats at this year’s fair, was the least comfortable with the horse. However, he acknowledged that every animal can create its own hurdles in the middle of the ring.
“For me, I am not the most familiar with horses,” Runyan said. “But, every animal has its own personality and each one can present a problem when you’re competing for a showmanship award. It’s a mental battle in the ring.”
Runyan, who is the son of Craig and Carrie Runyan, recognizes that he did not win the top showmanship award by himself and thanks those who have helped him during his 10 years of 4-H membership.
“It does take a village to win something like this,” Runyan said. “I am thankful and blessed and I give all the credit to God,” Runyan said.
This fall Runyan will attend Lakeland College to study agricultural production and livestock judging.
