Tashi Farmilo
Published online December 3, 2025, at www.pontiacjournal.com.
TORONTO – The Shawville 4-H Club made its debut at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair this November as members competed in square dancing, beef, and dairy events at Canada’s most prestigious agricultural showcase. For many of the youth, it was their first time attending the Royal, and for the senior square dance team, it was a historic first.
Shawville’s square dance team stepped onto the floor at Exhibition Place in Toronto on November 16, competing in both the 4-H Set division, reserved for youth aged 9 to 21, and the Open Set division, which includes university-level and adult teams from across the country. The team, composed of Amy Sheppard, Laura Graham, Grace Kelly, Charlotte Graham, Ben Judd, Kathleen Kelly, Rosie McCann and Andie Heatlie-McLaughlin, danced under the direction of caller Eloise Thompson.
In their inaugural showing, the team earned third place in the 4-H Set and eighth in the Open Set, competing against older, more seasoned groups who often train together for years.
“For all of us, it was our first time competing at the Royal,” said Amy Sheppard, who also serves as the club’s president. “We didn’t know what to expect, but it was incredible to see how polished and unified some of the other teams were. It made us realise what’s possible with more time and commitment. We took away a lot from that experience.”
The team faced additional challenges heading into the Royal. With some members aging out and others moving on, the group had to adapt quickly throughout the season. “The team we brought to the Royal wasn’t exactly the same group we danced with earlier in the year,” said Sheppard. “We had to rebuild and rework our sets. Given that, I’m really proud of how we did.”
She noted many of the university teams they competed against had been dancing together for years, with a level of cohesion that comes from long-term commitment. “It was interesting to see how in sync they were, how tight their timing was. We learned a lot just by watching them,” she said. “It made us think more seriously about how we practise, and what it would take to dance at that level. But it also made me realise how fun and rewarding our own style is, even if it’s a bit different.”
Coach Tyler McCann said the experience was as valuable off the dance floor as it was on it. “The team danced together really well,” he said. “It was a new experience and a different dynamic than what they’re used to, but they handled it well and competed with some really tough competition. One of the highlights was just spending time with the dancers and watching them reflect on what they saw. They were learning from other teams, making connections, and beginning to think about how we might bring new ideas into future practices.”
In the beef division, Sheppard also competed with her Shorthorn heifer on November 7 and 8. She reached the semifinals in senior showmanship and placed fourth in her class for conformation. Tyson Childs also showed in the beef category during the same weekend. The following week, the club’s dairy contingent — Payton St-Pierre, Myanna Sally and Morgan Tracy — participated in showmanship and conformation classes, rounding out the club’s presence across multiple livestock categories.
For Sheppard, who has grown up in the 4-H program and participated in both dance and animal showing, the Royal was more than a competition. “When I walk into the show ring, everything falls into place. It’s not just about the animal. It’s about seeing the results of what I’ve been working on all year,” she said. “Square dancing has its own kind of magic, but being in the ring with my animal, that’s where I really feel at home.”
Photo – Members of Shawville 4-H made their debut at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair with a standout square dance performance, placing third in the 4-H division; pictured from left are coach Tyler McCann, Amy Sheppard, Laura Graham, Rosie McCann, caller Eloise Thompson, Kathleen Kelly, Ben Judd, Charlotte Graham, Grace Kelly, and coach Gillian MacDougall. (Courtesy)