Brett Bowman stands with dairy Holstein Aeriel, who helped Bowman win his sixth straight showmanship title at the Cass County Youth Fair.
Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

CASSOPOLIS — When it comes to dairy showmanship, Brett Bowman has no equal.

The Niles 17-year-old was named Champion Dairy Showman for the sixth year in a row during the Cass County Fair Monday in Cassopolis.

If that wasn’t enough, Bowman also took home the award for Grand Champion Holstein, Junior Champion Holtstein and Senior Champion Holstein.

“It wasn’t a bad day,” said Bowman, who will be a senior at Edwardsburg High School this fall.

Despite being named top dairy showman six years in a row, Bowman said it’s still a thrill to hear his name called.

“I get chills,” he said. “You have to come in with a level head because you never know who’s going to be out there. There was a lot more competition this year than normal; some new people. It wasn’t easy.”

In addition to lots of practice, Bowman said the key to being a good showman rests with the animal.

“I use the same bloodline because the temperament is in the bloodline,” he said. “If the mother is calm then more than likely the baby is calm, too.”

Bowman used his family’s dairy Holstein Aeriel in the showmanship competition.

Cruella was the name of his Grand Champion Holstein. Cruella was also the Senior Champion Holstein.

Bowman is a member of Mechanicsburg 4-H Club.