Organizers work to 'break boundaries' with state fair pig show

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - The O'Neill Swine Barn at the Ohio State Fair was the site of the second ever "Breaking Boundaries Pig Show" Friday. Around a dozen participants with developmental disabilities got to see and feel what it's like to show a pig at the state fair.

"These youngsters out here had an opportunity of a lifetime," Brian Baldridge, the guest Judge for the show and Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, said.

Among several other state organizations, the Ohio Pork Council hosted the pig show Friday evening at 5 p.m. The stands were packed with spectators and family members eager to cheer on the participants.

"To be able to come out with a lot of energy here in the show ring, we tried to make it such a fun night and we did. It was great. Just seeing the looks on the faces and the excitement, it's incredible," Baldridge said. "To see the stands (full of) people standing up and cheering, and I think I saw some tears out there, so it was a great night here in the hog barn."

The participants, also called exhibitors, were paired with one or several mentors who showed them the ropes. Exhibitors learned how to prepare for a pig show by washing the pigs, brushing their hair, practicing maneuvers they would need in the ring and -- maybe most importantly -- bonding with their pig before the show.

"Being involved with this and having that friendship with kids like this that normally don't get this opportunity has honestly meant the world to so many people," said Ava Genter, a 16-year-old Mentor for the pig show who's been showing her own swine since she was 2.

Joel Buyer was one of Friday's exhibitors, and one of the five participants in the first Breaking Boundaries Pig Show last year. He is in a wheelchair, which didn't stop him from parading around the show ring.

Heather Buyer, his mother, smiled as she watched her son's pig show. Joel's cousins packed the stands to watch him, just like he's done for their shows in the past.

"I think it's important to give our kids opportunities and equal chances to experience life. It's always been important to us that Joel gets the same opportunities and chances to do as many adventurous things as he would like to do," Buyer said.

Genter was paired with a young man named Josh, and the mentor-exhibitor duo prepared together before entering the ring with their pig. At the end of the show, each exhibitor was given a ribbon and a medal for their accomplishments. But they weren't the only ones who got something out of the show.

"Seeing his bright smile when he came and met my pig, and even when we were showing out there in the ring, it made me light up and brought me that joy. I can't even put it into words," Genter said.

Breaking Boundaries has expanded into several local county fairs as well, hoping to continue to bring the experience of animals to those with disabilities.