Section 18 – Fitting Competition

Dairy Fitting

Tuesday, Junior Division, followed by Senior Division

GOAL: The goal of the fitting contest is to encourage young dairy exhibitors to develop and refine skills in grooming dairy cattle for the show ring. Fitting dairy animals includes pro per feeding, foot trimming, multiple washing and clipping sessions many weeks and months before the competition.

Dairy Fitting General Rules

1. The fitting competition is open to any 4-H or FFA dairy exhibitor at the Montour-Delong Fair.
2. Each participant is requested to provide an animal that has not been clipped within the last 3 weeks. The animal should be a heifer. Milking or dry cows will not be allowed in the competition.  If the participant does not have an animal suitable for the contest, then another animal will be obtained.
   *** Contact Pat Kitchen at 570-441-0949, for any additional information and assistance as needed.  ***
3. Since fitting involves more than just clipping the animal in the contest. The contestant is responsible for proper body condition of the heifer and presenting a washed and clean animal. The participant is responsible for clipping the head, upper part of the neck and legs prior to the competition.
4. Each participant will have one hour to work on fitting their heifer.  Participants will be notified every 15 minutes and during the last 10- and 5-minute time periods.
5. Each contestant is allowed to have one helper (preferably another 4-H’er). The helper is to block the animal and hold the head up. There will be NO brushing, clipping, spraying, coaching, advising, etc., by the helper or anybody in the audience. There will be NO interaction between contestants and the ringside or other contestants.
6. Each participant is responsible for obtaining their own equipment and supplies.   Large high-powered hair blowers are not allowed.
7. Each contestant will be judged on cleanliness of the animal, clipping skills, and final preparation of the animal for show.  The heifer should be “SHOW-RING READY”.
8. At the end of the one-hour time period, the judge will evaluate the performance of the participants and make a final decision.
9. Winners will be announced and recognized immediately after the contest.

Livestock Fitting

Monday, July 22, 2024, 5 PM – Arena
The livestock Fitting Contest will start promptly at 5 pm. 

GOAL:  The goal of the fitting contest is to encourage young livestock exhibitors to develop and refine their skills in grooming livestock for the show ring.

Livestock Fitting General Rules

1. The fitting competition is open to any 4-H or FFA livestock exhibitor at the Montour-Delong Fair.  Due to space/electrical restrictions in the arena the contest will be limited to 8-12 participants.  Seniority of the contestants will dictate eligibility.
2. Each contestant will choose an animal from one of the following livestock species:
   − Beef/steers/dairy beef
   − Sheep/market lambs
   − Market goats
3.  Each contestant must use their own animals for the competition.  All animals should be washed prior to the fitting contest.  It will be contestant’s choice to use a wet or dry/clean animal for the competition.   The judging will include the contestant’s skills on grooming and preparing the animal for show. The animal must be “SHOW­-RING READY” and will be judged accordingly.
4. Participants with market lambs or market goats will have one hour to work on fitting (“slick-shearing”) and preparing the animal for the show ring. Contestants with breeding sheep will also have one hour to fit their animals. Participants will be notified every 15 minutes and during the last 10- and 5-minute time periods. Participants with breeding beef or market steers will have 45 minutes to prepare their animal for the show ring. Participants will be notified every 15 minutes and during the last 10 and 5 minute time periods.
5. Each contestant is responsible for obtaining their own equipment and supplies. Clipping chutes or tables are allowed in the arena.  It is the responsibility of the contestant to have their equipment in place prior to the start of the contest.
6. Each contestant is allowed to have one helper (preferably another 4-H’er). The helper is to block the animal and hold the head up as needed. There will be NO brushing, clipping, spraying, coaching, advising, etc., by the helper. There will be NO interaction between participant and helper, ringside people or other contestants.
   NOTE:  If electrical surges or outages cause problems then large high-powered blow dryers will not be allowed.
7. Each Contestant will be judged on the cleanliness of the animal, clipping/grooming skills and final preparation of the animal for show.  The animal must be “SHOW-RING READY“
8. At the end of the fitting competition the judge will make a final decision and place the top three contestants.
9. Fitting products/sprays are optional.

updated for 2024 Fair.