Competitive Smith ends stellar fair career on top

Hayden Smith has enjoyed an illustrious 4-H career at the Holmes County Fair and even beyond, showing championship animals at the Ohio State Fair.

He is part of a graduating high school senior class that has displayed an unbelievable gift in 4-H and FFA, and he said he is definitely going to miss coming to the county fair.

Smith brought home this year's grand champion beef steer, and over the years, he has racked up plenty of ribbons and banners with a variety of animals.

“You know part of the joy of the fair is coming here and hanging out with friends and family and having a good time for the week,” Smith said. “After the steer show, we all came back here with family and were enjoying the last time of not having a steer to get ready for the fair. We started reminiscing about the past years and the things I've been blessed to do here.”

Those accomplishments include at least six market goat grand championships, grand or reserve grand champion steers in every year but one, and other accolades that have built a pretty impressive resume.

“I can't complain. I've had a great 10 years of showing animals here at the fair,” Smith said. “It's been a big part of my life.”

However, while fun may be a big part of the formula for 4-Hers showing animals during the fair's junior livestock show, that doesn't erase the competitive nature of those who compete with both their animals and in the showmanship portion of the show, where all the hard work and preparation usually pays off for those dedicated enough to perfect all the little things to produce a winning effort.

“I think all of us want to come out here and do our best to win and compete with each other,” Smith said. “I know my family doesn't like to come here and finish second. All of us competing are here for the same thing. We're all shooting for those ribbons and banners. We're all chasing the same thing.”

Smith talked about the dedication, determination and time it takes to raise any animal the right way and the commitment from not just the individual 4-Her, but also from the entire family.

“It's starting your mornings early and ending your nights late,” Smith said. “It takes a whole team, a whole family to have the drive to reach the heights you want to reach. All of us want to be competitive, so you've got to be dedicated to it.”

Much like his senior class peers, Smith is preparing for life after 4-H. He said much of what he gleaned from his time in 4-H, on the farm and at the fair has helped him build character that will benefit him well down the road.

He said experiencing the fair for the final day and last moment will be a bittersweet one, not only for him, but also for his family.

“Taking off the show harness for the last time was rough,” he said. “My mom had a little bit of a tear when she handed me the harness to put it on. It's almost crazy to think that it's over, but we will live it out the rest of the week and have fun enjoying every last moment we have here together.”

Smith is preparing for life away from home when he leaves later this September for electrical lineman school in Georgia.

He said he was especially grateful to his parents for paving the way for him to experience everything he has been a part of throughout his years in 4-H, the fair and life in general.