(Featured photo: The Annette Ostrom Memorial Supreme Showman awards, from left to right, Tristen Ostrom, Jim Ostrom, Justin Brandel, Supreme Showman, Logan Harbaugh, Reserve Supreme Showman, and Wisconsin Holstein Association Princess Brianne Vandoske.)
Wisconsin youth are making a strong showing during the 2026 World Dairy Expo. More than 330 competitors — in Junior, Intermediate, and Senior divisions — took part in the Youth Showmanship Contest. The event highlights their ability to work with and present dairy animals.
Wisconsin takes two division titles
Justin Brandel of Lake Mills won the Intermediate Division, which included 112 exhibitors. His win also earned him the Howard Voegeli First Place Award.
(Photo: Intermediate Showmanship winners include (Back row, left to right): WDE Intermediate Showmanship Judge Josh Karn, Justin Brandel, Karile Supplee, Emily Nooyen, Molly Salentine, William Zimmerman, Madison Harbaugh, Madison Sarbacker, Griffin Grinstead, Wisconsin Holstein Association Princess Brianne Vandoske. Front row, left to right: Leah Smith, Tyler Butts, Madelyn Poitras, Carson Rauen, Lilah Utterback, Bentley Brantmeier, Chance Primmer.)
In the Senior Division, Logan Harbaugh of Marion took first among 126 exhibitors. He received the Keith King First Place Award.
(Photo: Senior Showmanship winners include (back row, left to right): WDE Senior Showmanship Judge Elizabeth Hall, Logan Harbaugh, Shelby Swanson, Mason Ziemba, Suton Paulson, Taylor Hodge, Charolette Meyer, Tessa Schmocker, Isaac Folts. Front row, left to right: Olivia Vanevera, Cameron Ryan, Carissa Pittman, Sarah Hill, Hannah Visser, Stella Schmocker, Caroline Anderson.)
The Junior Division title went to Raegan Bossard of Fabius, New York, who topped a field of 101 competitors and received the W. Terry Howard First Place Award.
(Photo: WDE Junior Showmanship winners include (back row, left to right): Junior Showmanship Judge Crystal Sinn, Raegan Bossard, Cooper Merrill, Brynley Bossard, Kinley Martin, Adella Loehr, Paige Zimmerman, Ainsley Loehr, Lily Barlass, Wisconsin Holstein Association Princess, Brianne Vandoske. Front row, left to right: Callie Krohlow, Clara Baker, Walker Ulness, Sadie Kropf, Siera McCullough, Dakota Voegeli-Paulson, Avery Kaufman.)
All three division champions received custom embroidered jackets from Images Custom Embroidery and clippers from Andis Company.
Brandel named Supreme Showman
The competition continued after the division winners, and second-place finishers were selected.
The six youth who placed first or second in their respective divisions then competed for the Annette Ostrom Memorial Supreme Showman and Reserve Supreme Showman Awards.
Brandel claimed the Supreme Showman title, while Harbaugh was named Reserve Supreme Showman.
Brandel received a $3,500 cash award and crystal trophy, while Harbaugh received a $1,500 cash award. The awards were presented by the Ostrom family.
All three division champions also received the Annette Ostrom Showmanship First Place $1,500 Cash Award. Second-place finishers received $750 awards.
The contest received additional support from Zoetis, ABS Global, and the Michael Hellenbrand Memorial Fund.
Wisconsin youth fill the top 15
Wisconsin exhibitors were well represented throughout the three divisions.
Among Junior competitors, Wisconsin’s top finishers included Adella Loehr of Eden in fifth, Paige Zimmerman of Brodhead in sixth, Ainsley Loehr of Eden in seventh and Lily Barlass of Sheboygan Falls in eighth.
In the Intermediate Division, Emily Nooyen of Bonduel placed third, followed by Molly Salentine of Luxemburg in fourth and William Zimmerman of Brodhead in fifth.
The Senior Division also featured several Wisconsin exhibitors, including Tessa Schmocker of Whitewater in seventh, Cameron Ryan of Fond du Lac in 10th, Stella Schmocker of Whitewater in 14th and Caroline Anderson of Fort Atkinson in 15th.
The top 15 exhibitors in each division received neck ribbons and medallions in memory of Katie Coyne, presented by Mill Wheel Show Clinics.
The annual Youth Showmanship Contest is one of the opportunities at World Dairy Expo for young dairy enthusiasts to demonstrate the skills, preparation, and presentation that go into showing dairy cattle at a major international event.
