By Connor Lynch
KEMPTVILLE — “Last year’s team got second place, so the pressure’s on,” said Meghan Foubert, who won her class at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair last November and qualified to compete in England’s Young Show Stars competition this month.
Last year, Team Canada finished second and included Hailie Conley of Northumberland County.
This year, 18-year-old Foubert, from Kemptville, the Royal reserve champion intermediate showperson, will be competing with two others from Western Ontario in the March 23 to 24 beef show near Birmingham.
The English show is different than what Foubert is used to. The cattle aren’t judged. The spotlight is solely on her.
“They provide the heifers, so they’re just judging you on etiquette, an interview with the crowd, showmanship,” she said.
Though this will be her first competition abroad, she’s no stranger to shows. “I’ve been showing since 4-H lets you, around (age) 10 or 11.”
She’s no stranger to success either. She was the champion junior beef showperson at the Metcalfe regional 4-H beef heifer show in 2010 and placed first in the intermediate showmanship class in the South Mountain Fair 4-H beef show in 2014.
The competition is also an opportunity for both the Canadian and English competitors to learn about each other’s techniques. “When we’re there we stay on farms, tour other farms, and they do the same when they’re here. Either we can watch them and try out their techniques, or we can do what we’re used to.”
Added Foubert: “I’m equally excited and nervous. But I know it’ll be a good experience and I’ll learn a lot.”
