Showmanship Showcases Provide Inclusion at Kosciusko County Fairgrounds
Poss-ABILITIES program committee members gather before the start of their showcase at the 2025 Kosciusko County Fair.
Text and Photos
By Libby Hubbard
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Youth of all abilities took to the show ring Thursday, July 10, during the Poss-ABILITIES Showcase at the Kosciusko County Fair.
The program pairs participating youth with experienced 4-H families who teach them how to care for and exhibit livestock.
Each participant is matched with an animal and receives hands-on experience leading up to the fair.
Volunteers work closely with families to offer individual accommodations, ensuring a safe, positive, and inclusive environment for every child.
The Poss-ABILITIES Showcase is a non-competitive event, but participants can choose to pursue ownership and competitive showing in future 4-H years.
The event provides youth with the opportunity to learn about 4-H, agriculture, and life skills, while fostering meaningful connections and building confidence in the show ring.
The Poss-ABILITIES Showcase was one of several Showmanship highlights during the day.
The day continued with 4-H’ers of all ages, including Mini 4-H youth, participating in showmanship classes, where they demonstrated animal handling and care skills before a judge.
-
- Participant Stewart Byrd Stewie and mentor Taelyn Tom exhibit dairy feeder calves during the fair.
-
- Participant Bruce Spencer and mentor Miranda Alvarez showcase rabbits during the fair.
-
- Participant Arlyn Nettleton and mentor Marissa Buttemeier show alpacas during the fair.
-
- Participant Keavanie Rowe and mentor Hayden Lechlitner showcase swine during the fair.
-
- Mini 4-H’ers lead swine in the show arena during the Mini 4-H showcase.
-
- Mini 4-H’ers lead beef in the show arena during the Mini 4-H showcase.
-
- Mini 4-H’ers lead sheep in the show arena during the Mini 4-H showcase.
-
- Mini 4-H’ers leading goats showcase their animals during the Showmanship program.
-
- Kiira Peterson and her parents stand with her Grand Champion Dairy Senior Doe, Born + Bred Dairy Senior Doe goat, and trophies at the Kosciusko County Fair.
-
- Tanner Studebaker stands with his Grand and Reserve Grand Champion fancy duck, award placard, and his father in the winner’s circle at the fair.
-
- Darby Fitzsimmons performs during the Kosciusko’s Got Talent Showcase.
-
- Trucks rev their engines at the starting line during the KOI Drag Races.
-
- A boar goat rests in the sawdust to stay cool at the 2025 Kosciusko County Fair.
-
- The Pompeyo Family Dog Show performs a trick routine during their act at the fair.