Argue wins Strawfest

Allison Argue, of Dunrobin,  was Grand Champion Showperson at Strawfest.

CARP — "You’re the one, doll,"said judge John Edwards to senior champion showperson Allison Argue, as the crowd lining the ring at the Strawfest beef show erupted with laughter and applause.

The one-day event in Carp, west of Ottawa, allowed young people ages 10 to 21 to show off their hard work, and compete for more than $10,000 in prizes. This is the sixth annual Strawfest, and organizer Gail Argue said they were "honoured" to have international judge Edwards view the 108 hopeful participants.

The two main events were conformation, where an award is given to the best animal in each breed, and showmanship, where the prize goes to the person who can best present their animal.

"It’s a little bit sneaky. It’s like a woman modelling an outfit as best as she can. John likes them to hide the faults of the animal," said Patsy Edwards, wife of the judge and former showperson.

Edwards has been judging at shows like Strawfest for forty years, and has travelled all around the world. He was a professor of animal science at Colorado State, and now works with Express Ranches in Yukon, Oklahoma.

"You can go anywhere in North America, and they (the kids) won’t be better. You may find some as good as this," said Edwards to the crowd, "I like it when the showman fades into the background and you’re more focussed on their critter."

Patsy said they love to come to Canada. Strawfest was their first time judging in eastern Ontario, and she said the hospitality they experienced was terrific.

"He loves Canada. He likes the kids and he likes the cattle. The quality of the kids are wonderful in this area," she said.

The big winner of the day was 19-year-old Allison Argue of Dunrobin, west of Ottawa. She won Grand Show Champion with her Black Angus cross steer O’Connor. She was the senior champion showperson, and also won the new fellowship award for helping other young people prepare for their events.

"That may be the most important award of the day," Edwards said.

The show included the following winners:

Showmanship grandchampion, Senior showperson: Allison Argue;

Reserve: Scott Phillips;

Intermediate showperson: Matthew Hargrave;

Reserve: Sean Enright;

Junior showperson: Melanie Gollinger;

Reserve: Samantha James;

Grandchampion steer: JD McFarlane;

Grandchampion heifer: Jessica Milne-Smith.

Even though many competitors left without a prize, Edwards said the learning experience is invaluable.

"It’s a great way for kids to grow up. It teaches them how to work, respect for others, how to win, and more importantly, how to lose," Patsy Edwards said.