PHOTOS AFTYN KAWCAK CO
BY PACEY MCINTYRE OK
MORE THAN A
BANNER: A Blackburn Story G oing to any major requires hours and hours of preparation, but with this being the Blackburn’s first time going to the National Western Stock Show, everything had to be perfect. That meant everyone- Bradon, Jenni, and their kids, Jaylee, Bailyn, and Brady was in the show barn in Marlow, Oklahoma, putting in long hours. Comanche Maggie M241, along with the rest of the show string, was dialed in, giving themselves the best shot to succeed. Anyone who goes to a major show like Denver knows the routine. Walk the aisles, study the cattle, and quietly measure expectations. This year, the quality ran extremely deep. The goal was simple: try to win a division. Winning the Junior Percent Aberdeen show at the National Western Stock Show wasn’t even on the radar. What made the win meaningful was how the family got there. Each kid played a role, especially Jaylee. She “broke” Comanche Maggie in the most unique way—by sitting in the pen and reading library books. When Maggie wandered over, Jaylee would offer a treat and go right back to reading. No force or pressure, just patience and consistency. By the end of the week, Jaylee could walk up,
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slip on a halter, and lead Maggie anywhere. That moment captures why you raise your kids in this industry. Livestock teaches lessons that don’t come from shortcuts—patience, responsibility, work ethic, and respect. It teaches kids that progress comes from showing up every day and doing the work, even when it doesn’t seem crucial. This drive and determination led them to their success in Denver. Raising Aberdeen cattle wasn’t always the plan. It started with Simmental females, but as Jaylee, Bailyn, and Brady grew old enough to show, their parents realized the program needed to better fit the family. Smaller, more moderate cattle helped the kids feel confident and capable in the ring, which led to the Aberdeen breed. That change led them to longtime family friends Kenny and Suzzette Hinds, along with Ted and Connie Turner, whose guidance helped turn their plans into a team effort. They left Kenny and Suzzette’s place with four heifers, not just to show but to start building a legacy for the family. Comanche Maggie stood in the spotlight in Denver, but she represented something bigger: a family working side by side, standing together. ●
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