Winners Work: World Dairy Expo Showmanship with Elizabeth Hall

Every October, the global dairy community turns its attention to Madison, Wisconsin, for the legendary World Dairy Expo. Known as the center stage of the dairy cattle world, Expo brings together the finest cows, talented youth exhibitors, and agricultural leaders from across North America and beyond.

This year held a deeply special milestone for all of us at Fairmont: our very own Elizabeth Hall stepped into the center of the ring to serve as the official judge for World Dairy Expo Showmanship!

To stand in the ring at Madison, surrounded by the absolute best young handlers in the country, is one of the highest honors in our industry. It is a moment that reflects a lifetime of dedication, learning, and a deep-rooted passion for dairy cattle and youth development.

From Minnesota to Vermont 

Elizabeth’s journey to the center ring at Madison started long before she stepped onto the famous colored shavings at Expo. Raised on Raylore Farm, her family’s Registered Holstein farm in Hutchinson, Minnesota, Elizabeth grew up competing regularly in cow shows from her local county fair to World Dairy Expo.

She earned two degrees in Animal Science and Economics from the University of Minnesota, where she also competed on the collegiate dairy cattle judging team. Today, Elizabeth resides here in East Montpelier with her husband Ricky and their three children, Teddy, Hazel, and Ruby.

Beyond the show ring, Elizabeth balances a dynamic career. She serves as an Executive Sales Representative for Elanco Animal Health, is a key member of the Fairmont Market team, and has judged dairy shows in over a dozen states across the Midwest and East Coast. In addition to all this, Elizabeth and Ricky host guests as the owners of The 1919 Mountain Farmhouse, their charming local Airbnb!

Judging on the World Stage

While judging showmanship requires a sharp eye for animal handling, for Elizabeth, the true purpose of the contest goes far deeper than placing a class. It is about equipping young people with character, discipline, and a work ethic that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

At the conclusion of the contest, Elizabeth addressed the ring of young exhibitors with a powerful, heartfelt message that has since echoed across the national dairy community:

“My advice to you would be this: what you learn here in showmanship is to win.

Now you might laugh. Of course, we all like to win. But do not confuse winning with recognition, and inversely, do not confuse losing with a lack of recognition. Recognition is nice. Of course, we all love these medals, these beautiful medals, the banners, the checks, the applause, the appreciation. But the real win in life is to work. Winners work.

First, winners work on themselves. They say, 'How can I get better for next year? How can I get better tomorrow?' They ask for feedback, for coaching. They look inward at how they can get better. Losers will point outward.

Secondly, winners work no matter what. They work after a good show, a bad show, in the dead of winter, in the heat of summer. They show up and make it happen. Losers will wait for it to happen.

Thirdly, winners work at mental toughness when things don't feel right. Listen, we all know our heifers sometimes don't fill right, or cows don’t fill with milk right, or a cow drops in milk, or heifers don't look right, or milk prices aren't good. The list goes on. But winners stay neutral to things they can't control, and losers will dwell on negativity.

And last but not least, winners work at being a good person. They are humble when they get the recognition. They are hungry when they're defeated. They're team players. They're happy when they see someone else win. And they give back. They serve others, and losers wait to be served.

So with that, as you leave this ring and enter the next season of life, ask yourself: did you work? All of you in this ring, you worked today, and for that I applaud you.”

— Elizabeth Olson Hall, September 26, 2026

Credit: The Bullvine and The Bullvine Daily Brief Podcast

Celebrating the Next Generation

Elizabeth’s message captures the very soul of what we strive to pass down to the next generation at Fairmont Farm: hard work, resilience, humility, and gratitude for the land and livestock.

We want to send a huge congratulations to Elizabeth on this national honor, and a heartfelt thank you to all the mentors, family members, and neighbors who support our farm and youth programs every step of the way!