Morristown sophomore earns top showmanship honor at 175th Annual Shelby County Fair

Avery Everhart found it hard to control her emotions after being named the winner of the 2024 Shelby County Royal.

Tears rolled down the Morristown sophomore’s cheeks as fellow contestant Maryn Sprinkle hugged her tightly.

“I have been doing this a couple of years and I am blessed with my family’s help and it is something I am very passionate about,” said Everhart, who defeated four other competitors Wednesday night at the Youth Livestock Pavilion at the 175^th Annual Shelby County Fair.

The Shelby County Royal determines an overall showmanship winner in six different livestock species. Participants are judged solely on showmanship.

The contestants are the highest placing 4-H Senior showmanship winners in each of the six species – beef cattle, sheep, swine, goat, dairy cattle and horse & pony. Wednesday’s participants qualified for the event during the 2023 Shelby County Fair.

While each contestant has in-depth knowledge of certain species, the event forces them to work with unfamiliar species which can prove challenging.

Everhart shows beef cattle. She admitted after Wednesday’s event that showing a horse had her the most concerned.

“They are so different,” she said.

Everhart, age 15, is the daughter of Brandon and Jessie Everhart.

The other contestants in the 2024 Shelby County Royal were Hannah Bridges (far right), Deacon Dewitt (far left), Ella Koch (second from left) and Maryn Sprinkle (second from right).

The 4-H Livestock Auction is tonight at the Shelby County Fair. GIANT fm will air the auction live on 96.5 fm, 1520 am and the GIANT fm app at 6 p.m.