Chambana Sun

The 2025 Illinois 4-H Dog Show took place on October 4 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, where 66 youth participants from across Illinois competed in a total of 118 individual events with their dogs. Contestants qualified for the state event by earning high scores at their respective county dog shows.

The competition included obedience, showmanship, and rally classes. In obedience, handlers directed their dogs through a series of commands and were scored on performance. Showmanship focused on the handler’s skills and knowledge related to their dog and handling techniques. The rally class required teams to navigate a course performing specific exercises together.

Awards were given to the top six finishers in each class. Maddie Canada from McHenry County was named High Point Beginner Overall. Melody England of Tazewell County earned Junior Showmanship Champion, while Lillian Huber from Effingham County was awarded Senior Showmanship Champion.

In obedience categories, first-place winners included Grace DeRiemacker (Sangamon County) in Beginner Novice 1, Bristol Boster (Henry County) in Beginner Novice 2, Cora Sims (Lee County) in Preferred Novice, Maddie Canada (McHenry County) in Novice 1, Kaitlyn Costello (Kankakee County) in Novice 2, Jacey Smith (Wayne County) in Graduate Novice, and Rachel Gillingham (Stephenson County) in Open.

For rally classes, Chloee Huttenlocher (Stephenson County) won Novice 1; Bennet Ogden-Moles (Stephenson County), Novice 2; Kaitlyn Costello (Kankakee County), Intermediate; Lillian Huber (Effingham County), Senior; and Rachel Gillingham (Stephenson County), Advanced.

Shelby Carlson, University of Illinois 4-H youth development educator, commented on the significance of the event: “This contest provides youth an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of the dog project area.” She added: “As 4-H works to create beyond ready youth, we know these members are a great example of our success. The resiliency and dedication these members demonstrate when working with their dogs are traits that will serve them well in the future.”

Illinois 4-H operates as part of University of Illinois Extension under the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. The program aims to prepare young people for various future paths including college and careers by fostering confidence and leadership through hands-on learning experiences. Research indicates that participation increases likelihoods for higher education and technical training as well as service commitments such as military enlistment.