The livestock shows continued on Thursday at the Knox County Fair with the Junior Barrow, Market Barrow, and Gilt show. Hope Flaspohler of Batesville Indiana, judged the Junior Barrow, and Gilt Show. She shares what she looks for in the show ring.
“For breeding gilt, I’m gonna focus a lot of priority on structure, how them things motor around the ring, make sure they’re long enough hip, that plenty of body and ribbon dimensioned to hold them pigs and just longevity in the crate,” said Flaspohler.
She adds that while you want mass and power, you don’t want to give up the basic functionality of the animal.
“So the cross-gilt that I went ahead to use for the champion, that’s one that’s got a real neat look from the side. She’s stout-skulled, she lays in a pliable rib,” said Flaspohler. “It’s in her body and she’s still got plenty of bone but she doesn’t sacrifice the length of her hip build. She doesn’t sacrifice being bow-legged outside that thing skeletons very very good.”
When asked to give advice to the showmen in the ring, she says to not be afraid to make yourself better and to ask questions.
