Nov/Dec 2024 Year End Edition

es and Nicole Horn run a small cow- calf operation in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Their

backgrounds in the show cattle industry are very different, but the skills they each developed have made them a dynamic team for raising kids and cattle!

Nicole grew up in Independence, Iowa on her family farm. She began showing cattle at the National Cattle Congress at 5 years old. She traveled to local, state, and national shows exhibiting Shorthorns, Chianina’s, and Maine Anjou heifers alongside her sister, Corinn Berry, and parents Doug and Janel Rathbun. In high school, when Nicole wasn’t in the ring, she could be found playing a variety of sports! Having the county Beef Superintendent as a dad kept Nicole very involved at the local level, as she frequently tagged along to help him clip for county fair exhibitors and to check-in on fair operations. In her time at Iowa State University, Nicole was on the committee for the Kirkwood Hoof and Horn, and Block and Bridle shows. Following graduation, she took on a full time job, but continued to help young families get involved in the show cattle industry. Nicole’s favorite way to help out was by helping in the ring, as she got a front row seat to the joy these newbies showed as their love grew for the industry! Nicole is surrounded by some incredible people who have influenced her life-long involvement. She is inspired and grateful for the support shown to her over the years by her parents, grandparents, Aunt

Jill, and Uncle Jeff - to make a few. Wes grew up on a commercial cow- calf and quarter-horse operation in Northwest Arkansas. He started showing cattle in 1982. In the mid-80s, Wes began working for Ed Richardson at his custom fitting operation Richardson Cattle Company out of Fairland, Oklahoma. This team was a part of many national champions over more than a decade together. Sometime in the early 90s, Wes went over to Miami, Texas to work for Bill Breeding at B & C Cattle. Since then, Wes has been a part of many national champions while working with a variety of farms and ranches across the region - Deer Valley, Hudson Herefords, and Martin Farms. He has been blessed by great cattle who bring home the national titles, and great families who put their trust in his knowledge and skills! Wes packs all their experience and knowledge into his toolbox and uses it today as a Stock Show U Professor. You can always find Wes supporting the younger generation.

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