life showing livestock! Karley is now a freshman in high school and she has hung a banner from every major livestock show it Texas. Anyone who knows me knows that I love to judge shows, but it pails in comparison to showing cattle with my girls. Kendall starting showing last year and had a great first year. We have five head in the show barn and are excited for this cycle of the Texas majors. Unfortunately, both of my girls have my competitive spirit. We don’t always win, but we want to be caught trying to win at every show we go to. I have been extremely blessed personally and professionally in my life. I get to do what I love doing every day, train future ag teachers. I get to raise my girls in a region of the U.S. where production agriculture is valued and treasured. We get to show cattle at the Texas majors which is an opportunity that many would jump at given the chance. I have been able to serve as superintendent of both the National FFA and National 4-H Livestock Judging Contests. I have judged shows at every level. If I never judge another show,
I’m thankful for the opportunities to share my opinion with so many great people in our industry. In 2013, I judged the heifers at the Oklahoma Youth Expo with Jack Ward, who I believe is one of the great cattle evaluators of our time. In my closing remarks that afternoon I said “It doesn’t get any better than this!” That is how I will conclude this article. To any young exhibitors reading this article, if you show livestock, thank your parents for the opportunity they are giving you. Never underestimate the power of the relationships or network you form while showing or judging livestock. Always be willing to help others, regardless of their status. You never know how that will come back to you! I would like to thank the Showtimes Magazine for asking me to write an article. I am humbled to be featured by the premier outlet for showcasing junior livestock projects in the U.S. It doesn’t get any better than this! •
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