Angie Barnard Executive Director at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Official website
Angie Barnard Executive Director at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Official website
The 2023 Illinois 4-H State Dog Show took place on August 26 at the Granny Rose K-9 Enrichment Dog facility in Dixon, where over 150 dog owners participated in various competitions. The event featured contests in both obedience and showmanship.
Dan Jennings, University of Illinois Extension state 4-H animal science educator, emphasized the dedication required for participants to reach this level: “To get to this level of competition, 4-H members devote months of training.” He added that dogs must perform tasks amidst new environments and distractions.
In Senior Showmanship, Lillian Huber from Effingham County secured first place. Holly Hawes (Champaign County), Cheyenne Mech (Winnebago County), and Dante Ketelsen (Whiteside County) tied for second. Piper Jensen from Lake County took fifth place, while Wyatt Buza (Kankakee County) and Trevor Westphal (Kendall County) tied for sixth.
Rachel Gillingham from Stephenson County earned High Points Advanced honors in the Graduate Novice Class. Katlyn Miller from Ogle County received the Deborah Orr Memorial Award for her performance in a novice class. Evelyn Seifert from McLean County won High Point Beginner honors after a run-off in Beginner Novice 2.
Junior Showmanship saw Brandon Dismore from Lee County take first place, followed by Faith Kuster (Henry County), Avery Edler (Will County), Nora Shaw (Boone County), Abigail Kolthoff (Boone County), and Zander Blottiaux (Lake County).
Other categories included Beginner Novice 1 with Kaleb Mohr from Hancock County securing first place; Molly Ziegler from Ogle County winning Beginner Novice 2 Senior; Evelyn Seifert topping Beginner Novice 2 Junior; Cheyenne Mech leading Preferred Novice; Katlyn Miller winning Novice 1; Ronnie Johnson taking first in Novice 2; Rachel Gillingham excelling in Graduate Novice; Daisy Thomas leading Rally Novice Junior; Wyatt Buza winning Rally Novice Senior; Ella Kraft taking top spot in Rally Intermediate; Molly Ziegler winning Rally Advanced; and Avelyn Sacco leading Rally Excellent.
The show follows American Kennel Club regulations as guidelines.
Illinois 4-H is part of the University of Illinois Extension's youth development program, offering guidance and tools to empower young people for future careers. Research indicates that participants are more likely to engage positively with their communities and make healthier life choices.
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