were doing it as a family and that was the most important thing to us. Of course like anything in life, it took sacrifices and hard work to earn that success. Eventually in 2017 I won the county fair and at that point it was the biggest title that we had ever earned. My family was extremely excited and we still hold that victory in our hearts. After this success, our drive increased and we worked harder as my parents grew proud of the passion for the industry inside of us. They wanted to support us in any way possible. The four kids eventually kicked dad out of the show barn. We would only allow him in where the magic happens once a week so he could evaluate and change feed rations to the best of his ability. Eventually a few years later my older sister, Katelyn, had a heifer from Prairie View Farms (PVF) that we knew would bring some heat, and she did exactly that. She held many national titles that
year but the best part about it all is that anything one sibling wins, is a family win. We all feel the pride and joy that the showman does. That heifer was the start of getting the Eathington family name out there and showing our drive for success. This summer I was hesitant about showing. I knew I needed to get an internship at some point in my college career, so I decided I would only exhibit bred and owned cattle. One day at school I received a call from my dad saying that he bought a heifer and that he needed me to show it as she was a little head strong. I found it very amusing that he bought a heifer when we had just decided that I would show one we raised. But if you know anything about my dad this decision isn’t out of his character and only a crazy person would turn down another show heifer. Preparing my heifer Mike for
success was certainly not the easiest thing in the world as the first show we exhibited her at she was loose more than she was led. I take pride in the fact that I haven’t let a heifer go since I was 10 years old, but this one took that confidence away. She practically drug me across the state of Oklahoma at this show. As determined as I was to hang onto her the more driven she was to throw me onto the ground. Let’s just say that she succeeded more than I did. Thankfully Kyle Chrislaw and Curtis Harsh, show barn managers at PVF, were just as strong willed as she was and helped me break her of these habits. I am now proud to say that throughout the year even with her “spaz” attacks she only threw me in the show ring once. For most of the year she was at PVF, but after Jr. Nationals in July we took her back to our place to prepare for the upcoming shows.
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