Foothills and Timber Trails 4-H Beef Clubs hold 2013 Achievement Day

Timber Trails (left) and Foothills 4-H Beef Clubs at Achievement Day
C. Davis photos except *

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

The Horseshoe Pavilion in Pincher Creek was buzzing with activity on Monday, May 27 as the Foothills  Beef and Timber Trails Beef 4-H clubs held their combined Pincher Creek and District 4-H Beef Market Steer and Female Project Achievement Day.  The day was divided into four events, and ran from 2:00 pm until about 9:00 pm.  The first event was for Breeding Projects, which was followed by the Market Steer Show, then supper, finally finishing with the Market Steer Sale.

Tom Welsch

4-H was founded in 1913, making this the 100th year anniversary of the organization.

Milestones

Catherine DeCock

It was the last year for Foothills Beef Club President Catherine DeCock, who graduates High School this year and is going to St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia to study Nursing. Apparently she was nursing a broken jaw sustained in a rugby match while participating in this event, but you'd never know it from watching her act with the professionalism we've come to expect from her. It was also the last year for Annika Lewis of Timber Trails.

Annika Lewis

For new 4-H members  Deloy Mackenzie, Ellie Stauffer, and Justin Schoening of the Foothills club it was their first ever Achievement day.

Breeding Projects and Market Steer Shows

Anne Stevick

Officiating at the Breeding Projects and Market Steer Shows were Conformation Judge Tyler Sawley and Showmanship Judge Anne Stevick.  Sawley was quite specific in his evaluations, taking his time to assess each animal before giving a concise explanation for his placing choices.  Anne Stevick included many observations about presentation and decorum in her summations.  Little things did not escape her attention often and her final choices changed sometimes at the last second due to some error on the part of the 4-H member being evaluated.

Tyler Sawley

While judging is definitely a big part of this event, it should be noted that the Pavilion was full of winners.  All of the cattle on display was top-notch Grade A Alberta Beef, without exception.

Natisha Moulsen was the Timber Trails Champion and Luke Lewis was the Timber Trails Reserve Champion. Kyla Lewis was the Foothills Champion and Deloy Mackenzie was the Foothills Reserve Champion.

Abby Zur was selected as Grand Showman with Merrick Stauffer as Reserve Showman.

The award for Grand Champion Steer went to Kyla Lewis and was purchased by Pincher Creek Co-op, the first of two purchases for them.  Deloy Mackenzie was awarded Reserve Grand Champion Steer at his very first Achievement Day.  His steer was snapped up by Westcastle Motors.

Kyla Lewis with her Grand Champion Steer and
David Crowell and Allen Kaupp of Pincher Creek Co-op
*Brittney Semenoff photo

Market Steer Auction

Frank Jenkins and his auction team kept up a brisk pace as the market steers were presented to a large crowd of potential bidders.  Co-op GM David Crowell and Meat Manager Allen Kaupp bid successfully on Kyla Lewis' Grand Champion Steer and also won the bidding for Luke Lewis'fine animal.  Luke placed second in Senior Quality for Timber Trails.

Luke Lewis with Co-op GM David Crowell and Meat Manager Allen Kaupp

Reserve Grand Champion Deloy Mackenzie with Westcastle's Keith Foster

Deloy Mackenzie's Reserve Grand Champion went to Westcastle Motors.  This was a great first show for Deloy, who was Foothills Reserve Champion and placed first in Intermediate quality and second in Intermediate Showmanship.

Stuart Lewis with Pincher Creek Agro

Pincher Creek Agro bought Stuart Lewis' steer.  This is Stuart's 4th year in 4-H.  He placed second in Intermediate Quality.

Annika Lewis' steer went to Pincher Meats

Pincher Meats bought Annika Lewis' steer.  She was all smiles all the time during this, her last Achievement Day.

Joel Lewis' steer went to Back to Earth Energy

Back to Earth Energy bought Joel Lewis' steer.  Joel impressed with his steadfast good nature, and the kid's a natural.

Tom Welsch shakes hands with Tim Ewing from Back Country Butchering

Thomas Welsch's steer went to Back Country Butchering.   Tom was Reserve Champion Yearling Heifer, the Champion 2 Year Old,  the Champion 3 Year Old, the Supreme Champion Female, the Breeders Herd, and he was Champion Showman.

Justin Schoening's steer went to Bouchard Well Service

Bouchard Well Service bought Justin Schoening's Steer.  In his first 4-H year Justin placed first in Foothills Junior Showmanship and it was a first-buy for Bouchard Well Service too.

Bridge City bought Laura Welsch's steer

Laura Welsch's steer went to Bridge City. Laura placed second in Foothills Senior Quality and Foothills Senior Showmanship.

Britnie Zur with Colette and Curtis Sinnott

Curtis and Colette Sinnott bought Britnie Zur's steer.  To see Britnie at her finest, check her out at the Southwest Barrel Racing Series.  They'll be holding an event this evening, May 29 at the Ag Grounds in Pincher Creek, starting at 7:00 pm.

Murray and Ellie Stauffer

Ellie Stauffer's steer went to her grandfather Murray Stauffer.  In her first 4-H year, Ellie handled herself with great poise throughout the event and placed first for Foothills Junior Quality.

Charity Steer, Kyla Lewis, and Faith Zachar of PC Veterinary Clinic

Pincher Creek Veterinary Clinic won the bidding for the Charity Steer shown here with Kyla Lewis.  Proceeds from this sale go to the Care Bears, who assist seniors by driving them to important appointments.  Kyla had the Grand Champion Steer after placing first for Foothills Senior Quality and Foothills Senior Showmanship.

Catherine DeCock's steer went to UFA

UFA bought Catherine DeCock's steer.  Catherine finishes her 4-H career as President of the Foothills Beef Club, and medicine's gain may well prove to be ranching's loss.

Charity steer went to McCrae Holdings

McCrae Holdings bought the Charity Steer demonstrated by Cooper Zur, a successful Steer Riding champ.

Natisha Moulsen with Rob Nichols of Willow Valley Ranch

It was a very successful day for Natisha Moulsen.  She was Timber Trails Club Champion.  She came in first for Timber Trails Senior Quality.  She also had the Champion Heifer, the Reserve Champion 2 yr old, the Reserve Champion 3 yr old, and the Reserve Champion Female. Willow Valley Ranch bid on behalf of Special Events Rentals, who bought her steer.

Merrick Stauffer's steer went to Fountain Tire

Merrick Stauffer should be pleased with himself after this successful event.  He placed first for Foothills/Timber Trails Intermediate Showmanship and he was the Reserve Showman.  His steer went to Fountain Tire.

Abby Zur with Shell Waterton's Rod Sinclair

Shell Waterton bought Abby Zur's steer and then donated it back to be auctioned off again.  The proceeds of that second auction will be divided among all the 4-H members who participated in this event.

Abby Zur with Dennis Robin

Robin and Company bought Abby Zur's steer the second time around.  Abby was Grand Showman,Reserve Champion Showman, and placed first in Timber Trails Senior Showmanship.  She'll be at the Pincher Creek AG Grounds this evening, May 28 showing off her Barrel Racing skills, starting at 7:00 pm.

Foothills Beef Club

Catherine DeCock
Deloy Mackenzie
Ellie Stauffer
Justin Schoening
Kyla Lewis
Laura Welsch
Merrick Stauffer
Stuart Lewis
Tannis Bruder
Thomas Welsch 

Club Leaders:

General - Dave DeCock
Assistant - Kathy Welsch
Heifer - Sheldon Lewis
Steer - Stacey Stauffer and Jim Welsch 

 Timber Trails Beef Club

Abby Zur
Annika Lewis
Britnie Zur
Cooper Zur
Joel Lewis
Luke Lewis
Natisha Moulsen

Club Leaders:

General - Monica Moulsen
Assistants - Sandra Lewis and Arnold Zur 

Breeding Projects results

Class 1 - Yearling Heifer

1. Natisha Moulsen - Champion Heifer (Angus X)
2. Thomas Welsch - Reserve Champion Heifer (Angus X)
3. Stuart Lewis (Angus X)

Class 2 - 2 year old with Calf

1. Thomas Welsch - Champion 2 yr old (Angus X)
2. Natisha Moulsen - Reserve Champion 2 yr old (Angus X)
3. Stuart Lewis (Angus X)

Class 3 - 3 year old with Calf

1. Thomas Welsch - Champion 3 yr old (Angus X)
2. Natisha Moulsen - Reserve Champion 3 yr old (Angus X)

Class 4 - Supreme Champion Female

1. Thomas Welsch - Supreme Champion Female
2. Natisha Moulsen - Reserve Champion Female

Class 5 - Breeder's Herd

1. Thomas Welsch (Angus X)
2. Natisha Moulsen (Angus X)

Class 6 - Open Showmanship

1. Thomas Welsch - Champion Showman
2. Abby Zur - Reserve Champion Showman

Market Steer Show

Class 1 - Foothills Junior Quality

1. Ellie Stauffer
2. Justin Schoening

Class 1 - Foothills Junior Showmanship

1. Justin Schoening
2. Ellie Stauffer

Class 2 - Foothills/Timber Trails Intermediate Quality

1. Deloy Mackenzie
2. Stuart Lewis
3. Thomas Welsch

Class 2 - Foothills/Timber Trails Intermediate Showmanship

1. Merrick Stauffer
2. Deloy Mackenzie

Class 3 - Timber Trails Senior Quality

1. Natisha Moulsen
2. Luke Lewis
3. Annika Lewis

Class 3 - Timber Trails Senior Showmanship

1. Abby Zur
2. Natisha Moulsen

Class 4 - Foothills Senior Quality

1. Kyla Lewis
2. Laura Welsch
3. Catherine DeCock

Class 4 - Foothills Senior Showmanship

1. Kyla Lewis
2. Laura Welsch
3. Catherine DeCock

Club Champions:

Class 5 - Timber Trails

Champion - Natisha Moulsen
Reserve Champion - Luke Lewis

Class 6 - Foothills

Champion - Kyla Lewis
Reserve Champion - Deloy Mackenzie 

Class 7 - Showmanship (Winners from Classes 1-4)

Grand Showman - Abby Zur
Reserve Showman - Merrick Stauffer

Class 8 - Champions (Winners from Classes 6 and 7)

Grand Champion Steer - Kyla Lewis
Reserve Grand Champion Steer - Deloy Mackenzie

This kind of event depends on the hard work of many, many people.  Hats off to all the volunteers, auctioneers, folks who know about steers, and the myriad supporters of 4-H.

Note: I want to personally thank the 4-H Club Reporters, parents, relatives, friends of 4-H, and others who have been so helpful to this publication over the last two years.
Oh yes, thanks for the eats too.  4-H buffets are a trencherman's delight. 4-H in the freezer, 4-H on the plate - life's great.  An additional note:  there's too many photographs of this event to cram into one article, even for the Pincher Creek Voice.  Many of them are in the video embedded in this article.  As well, we plan to do a special segment on each club in the near future.  Feel free to contribute to that project - you can email us at pinchercreekvoice@gmail.com

1913-2013

4-H Pledge:

I pledge my head to clearer thinking,

My heart to greater loyalty,

My hands to larger service,

and my health to better living,

for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

4-H Motto:

Learn to do by doing.