Congratulations are in order with a second-place finish for Canadian National 4-H rookie, Justin Harcourt of Quill Lake. 

Harcourt competed at the Canadian National 4-H Judging Competition that ran at the 2019 Canadian Western Agribition from November 29th - December 1st. In his first year of eligibility, Harcourt finished second overall, taking home a $1250 scholarship as well as a belt buckle from Canadian Western Agribition.

"The whole experience was really intense. I was very happy with how I did, placing among the top in Canada against university students while being still in high school, so that was really humbling. It was just a great experience and I'd do it again in a heartbeat," said Justin Harcourt.

Competitors judged 12 categories including water quality, silage, meat, alpaca, Charolais bull calves, Commercial bull calves, Speckle Park heifer calves, Angus bred heifers, prospect steers, milking dairy cows, light horse, and heavy horse. They also gave oral reasons and presentations for 8 of those categories in front of judges who specialized in those areas.

The judging competition doesn't open up until competitors reach 17 years of age, which makes the second-place finish even more impressive for the first-year competitor in Harcourt.

"I was super happy, I've always wanted to compete at this ever since I was young. As soon as I was old enough to go, I entered. I was humbled to get there, and then to place as well I did at nationals, it was really prestigious, and I was happy with how I did."

The competitive drive is still present with Harcourt. Now after finishing in second place, he knows there's only one spot that would be better.

"Since I didn't win it, I'm going back next year and gonna try to win it. I'd like to try and go with 4-H as far as I can. I'm allowed to go until I'm 21. Next year, that might be a little harder as I'm going to the U of S, but I'm going to try and take it as far as I can."

With 4-H still in play for a handful of years, Harcourt will finish up high school in Quill Lake this year, before studying in Ag Business when he heads to the U of S in 2020.