The Rural Radio Network presents the 14th Annual Elite Showman Competition at the Nebraska State Fair. This intense one day competition is open to one 4-H or FFA member from each county in Nebraska. It is a 6 part contest comprised of a written test, personal interview, and Beef, Sheep, Swine & Goat Showmanship classes. Contestants are scored in each of the 5 divisions. The top three competitors are chosen based on high points scored over all 5 divisions. The Elite Showman Competition takes place on Saturday, August 31st at the Nebraska State Fair.
2019 Elite Showmanship Overall Winners:
1st Place – Abby Scholz, Phelps County
2nd Place – Creighton Hirschfeld, York County
3rd Place – Chase DeVries, Adams County
Beef Showmanship Winner – Carly Rains, Saline County
Goat Showmanship Winner – Creighton Hirschfeld, York County
Sheep Showmanship Winner – Abby Scholz, Phelps County
Swine Showmanship Winner – Trevor Kirchhoff, Buffalo County
Interview Winner – Abby Scholz – Phelps County
Written Test Winner – Jace Russman – Dawson County
Prior Results
2018 Elite Showmanship Overall Winners:

Blake Bruns of Lincoln County, left, won first place overall. Savannah Peterson of Dawson County won second place overall. Ralston Ripp of Buffalo County won third place overall.
2017 Elite Showmanship Overall Winners:
1st place – Fina Choat, Boone Co.
2nd place – Blake Guenther, Cumming Co.
3rd place – Jennifer Tidwell, Douglas/Sarpy Co.
2nd Place – Blake Guenther, Cumming County
3rd Place – Jennifer Tidwell, Douglas/Sarpy County
Division Winners:
Written Test – Fina Choat, Boone Co.
Interview – Felicia Knoerzer, Gosper Co.
Swine – Lindsi Loos, Sherman Co.
Beef – Megan Muller, Dixon Co.
Sheep – Fina Choat, Boone Co.
left to right:
Previous Winners:
2016 Elite Showman Competition Winners
2016 Elite Showmanship Overall, 2nd Malina Lindsrtom, Phelps; 1st Hannah Williams, Buffalo; & 3rd Jaclyn Heinrich, Lancaster
2015 Elite Showman Competition Winners
1st Overall – Neligh Gehl from Wheeler County- $2000 & an ESC jacket
2nd Overall – Catherine Jones from Douglas/Sarpy County – $1000 & a pair of ESC pants
3rd Overall – Chandler Schelkopf from Fillmore County – $500 & an ESC duffle bag
Written Test – Cody Hambleton from Nance County
Interview – Neligh Gehl from Wheeler County
Sheep Showmanship – Chandler Schelkopf from Fillmore County
Beef Showmanship – Neligh Gehl from Wheeler County
Swine Showmanship – Jaclyn Heinrich from Lancaster County