the halls of Weber at the Kansas State Livestock Judging Camp, I knew all roads would lead to Manhattan. Previously, I attended Hutchinson Community College where I spent 2 years under the leadership of Kane Austin and Pat Arkfeld. The sum of stockmen who I have coached by prepared me for this day and I’m thankful for them all. Being named the High Individual at the 2023 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was such an honor. There’s an extremely long list of incredibly talented people who have their name written down in the history books as the high individual at Houston and to have mine written down with them is truly an humbling feeling. I’d first like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for not only blessing me with the passion, and skills to compete in this event, but for surrounding me with incredible coaches, and nine of my best friends. Next, my family is absolutely second to none. They’ve been there for me as my foundation and supported me from 14 hours away, each step of the way. Every child deserves to have a mother like mine, and I only hope I can do for others what she did for me. It’s not often that your older brother gets to be your assistant coach, Wyatt
thank you for never giving up on me, picking me up when I’m down, and being a daily reminder of where we started and how far we’ve come. Lindsey, you've been a part of this craziness for 2 years. You've tuned into every banquet, and supported me unconditionally. Thank you for always pushing me to be better and I'm extra thankful we could share this moment together. My extended family, Steve, Holly, Kane, Adrian - you guys took in a couple of hillbillies from Kentucky and showed them the ropes of not only what it takes to be an incredible competitor in this event, but more importantly being a human others can look up to. Finally, thank you to the Reid family for giving me the opportunity to share this article in your magazine and for all the awesome things you all do for youth in the livestock industry! While the spring run is winding down and we’ve still got a lot of track left to cover, I’m thankful we get to do this one more semester and I’m looking forward to what’s in store. Finally, if you keep God at your core, never stop working, and don’t forget where you come from because dreams do become reality. As always, God Bless, and Go Cats. ■
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grew up in a small blink, you’ll miss it kind of town known as Cynthiana, Kentucky. I was blessed to be born into a 5-generation cattle operation consisting
up for springtime weaning or sitting around the card table talking about what bull needed to be used on what cow, I guess you can say it’s been my life. At age 8, lifelong friends, Mike Meyer and Kevin Farell, approached my brother and I about an event called Livestock Judging. Little did I know it would turn into a childhood journey and take me places I never thought possible. I was one of the lucky ones; my mom hauled us to the ends of the earth to a multitude of contests, camps, and practices so we could pursue this dream of ours. From the first time I walked
of everything from preconditioning feeder cattle to selling quality Red Angus seedstock. Growing up, I loved cattle. My grandfather would often take my brother, cousin and myself to the sale barns around home in the summertime, or we’d help work the new group that just came in. Whether we were outside getting cows
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