Winning a major show like NAILE has been a dream come true for me and my entire family. The smiles that night put on our faces is something that I will never forget. The purple banner and the backdrop photos are great ways to remember that day by; however, the part of that night that might be the most memorable is the handshake and the slap in the showring. My steer’s name was Maverick. We named him after the Top Gun movie. We thought that a great steer deserved a great name. That moment in the show ring when the judge walked up to Maverick, and I was incredible. Maverick didn’t really like getting that slap. He reared up and tried to get away. But I think that made it even more memorable. I was raised in Indiana on a farm. My parents have worked their entire lives to build something special for their children. My brothers and I would not be able to show livestock without them. I am the oldest of my siblings. I turned 21 in July. I have two younger brothers, Evan (18) and Drew (12). All three of us have grown up learning the meaning of hard work and responsibility. These characteristics that my parents and grandparents have instilled in us have helped to make us successful in the show world. I have learned that it takes a lot of work and dedication to show cattle. My parents, brothers, and I all work together to get our steers ready for shows. I truly enjoy that we can work with our
animals together as a family. I started showing cattle four years ago. Before that, I never had much experience in the cattle world. My brothers and I had shown pigs for years, but I didn’t love showing pigs nearly as much as I love showing cattle. My father had shown cattle back in high school. He likes to tell the story of how he bought one of Tracy Goretska’s first cattle that he sold. My dad’s previous connections with Tracy have given me the opportunity of a lifetime. The people at Goretska Show Steers have truly taught me a great deal. Getting to learn from people like Tracy and those that work with him has helped me to build an understanding of how the world of show cattle works. Showing cattle has changed the course of my life. I have taken steps to make cattle a part of my future. Since having cattle in my life, I cannot imagine my life without them in it. I bought my first heifer two years ago and another one last year. I want to start building my own small group of donor cows. I look forward to learning as I go along with this new business endeavor. I love having cattle in my life and the amazing people that come with them. 2023 was one of my last years being able to show and I cannot think of a better way to end a show career than by winning NAILE with a truly once in a life time steer. ●
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