This content was originally published in the October issue of the Tennessee Cattle Business magazine. To receive future issues of the Tennessee Cattle Business magazine, join the Tennessee Cattlemen's Association or the Tennessee Cattlemen's Youth Association.
“The ultimate family vacation.” “A summer showcase.” “The super bowl of cattle shows.” These statements have all been used to describe national junior cattle shows. Each summer, national junior breed association’s hosts junior national cattle shows that provide a platform for young cattlemen and women to showcase their cattle projects. These events also boast leadership and educational competitions and plenty of fun for the entire family.
This year, Tennessee was represented at nine national junior cattle shows across the country. Tennessee juniors traveled from Louisville, Kentucky to Grand Island, Nebraska, and everywhere in between. The Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association commends our Tennessee youth on their hard work to succeed and excel at this level of competition.
Please enjoy this spotlight on Tennessee juniors’ success at the 2022 national junior cattle shows. The following photos and recaps were submitted by junior breed association state advisors, or selected parents and juniors.
Maine-Anjou/ Chianina
2022 was the year of the Great Kentucky Campout for the Chianina and Maine exhibitors. The Chianina and Maine National Junior Heifer Shows were held in Louisville, KY, from June 18-23. Tennessee exhibitors attended the National Junior Heifer Show where they spent six days amongst other juniors from around the country competing in contests, playing games, and exhibiting their cattle. 9 juniors from Tennessee attended this year’s event and exhibited 15 head. The group was extremely fortunate to have a great week with fellow cattlemen and in the show ring. Tennessee brought home multiple class winners, several champion and reserve divisions, and the Champion ChiAngus Heifer Overall, exhibited by Rob Oakley. Cole Lehnert had the honor of being elected to the National Junior Chianina Board of Directors where he will not only serve Tennessee but around the country as well. We are already making plans for 2023 and can’t wait to join everyone again for the 2023 event in Grand Island, Nebraska!
Charolais
Grand Island, Nebraska was host to the 2022 Char-Cation AIJCA Junior National, A Grand Affair – June 19-24. A “Grand Affair” it was boasting the largest Charolais Junior National to date, with over 642 head of cattle, 326 participants, and 31 states represented. Tennessee Junior Charolais Association members in attendance were Christian Derry and Hylee Derry, Afton, TN; William Maupin and Walynn Maupin, Newbern, TN; Hayden Sampson, Afton, TN; and Drake Warren, Dyer, TN. Throughout the week, juniors participated in the team fitting contest, quiz bowl, showmanship, and the owned Charolais heifer show. Tennessee earned recognition for the High Point State Participation for states with 10 or less head. Points were tabulated by participation in the above competitions as well as the photo contest. Drake Warren was awarded the Walker/Phillips scholarship through the American International Charolais Foundation.
Shorthorn
10 Tennessee Junior Shorthorn Association members traveled to Kansas City, Missouri, June 18-25, 2022, for the National Junior Shorthorn Show & Youth Conference. This year’s junior nationals’ theme was, Out of This WorldShorthorn. Addison Delaney, Caden Delaney, Haylee Ferguson, Gracie Giles, Ethan Giles, Blaire Lamon, Maggie Potter, Emma Teeple, Sam Teeple, and Jaclyn Thomas represented Tennessee with 22 head of cattle and participated in numerous contests and activities.
Gracie Giles exhibited the Reserve Champion Shorthorn Plus Steer, placed 7th in Intermediate Showmanship, and earned numerous contest placings to be named 3rd Overall High Point Intermediate. Haylee Ferguson exhibited the Division II Grand Champion Shorthorn Plus Heifer in the Bred & Owned Show. Ferguson was also elected to the American Junior Shorthorn Association Board of Directors and participated in numerous contests to be named 3rd Overall High Point Senior. Sam Teeple placed in the top five of Arts & Crafts. Additionally, the Tennessee quiz bowl teams placed 3rd and 6th.
Thanks to all the parents and volunteers who accompanied the juniors and made the week so enjoyable!
Black Hereford
The American Black Hereford Junior Nationals was held June 22-25 in Lebanon, Tennessee. There were approximately 33 juniors from around the country in attendance at the event. The first two days consisted of different clinics that focused on nutrition and daily care. A favorite among the juniors was the fitting clinic put on by Brett Singleton. On the third day, the youth competed in the fitting competition as well as showmanship. The day ended with an awards ceremony. Caroline Garrell from Lincoln County, Tennessee received the Star Award, which is given to the junior that goes above and beyond in various competitions. Several scholarships were given to selected juniors and the new board members were introduced.
On the final day, juniors were able to showcase their Black Herefords. A total of 70 head from across 13 states were shown on the final day of ABHJN. The champion heifer was shown by Kiley Smith from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, and the reserve champion heifer was shown by Morgan Riley from College Grove, Tennessee. Overall, Black Hereford junior nationals was a very successful show with its largest turnout yet. Next year, the American Black Hereford Junior National will be held June 14-17 in Cookeville Tennessee.
Red Angus
Fifteen kids and their families from Tennessee endured the heat and traveled to the Grady County Fairgrounds in Chickasha, Oklahoma for the North American Red Angus Junior Nationals, June 19-25th. There were 320 juniors from 25 states in attendance. NAJRAE has events for all ages including a big/little mentor program and a family social tailgate. During the week, the kids competed in individual contests that included arts and crafts, photography, public speaking, and livestock judging. They also competed in team contests such as the quiz bowl and team fitting. Next year's Red Angus Junior Nationals will be held in Brookings, South Dakota.
Ella Troglin placed in the top 10 of the junior division Photography Contest. Kara Brooks earned 2nd Overall Junior in the Livestock Judging Contest. Eli Mundy placed 4th Overall in the senior division of the Livestock Judging Contest. Andrew Meier and Eli Mundy were part of the 3rd Overall Team Fitting team.
Andrew Meier earned Reserve Champion honors in Senior Showmanship. Alyssa Meier was 3rd overall in Intermediate Showmanship and Kara Brooks was 3rd overall in Junior Showmanship Along with multiple 1st and 2nd class winners from the Tennessee kids during the Owned Heifer Show.
Simmental
Earlier this summer, Tennessee Junior Simmental Association members traveled to the Regional and National Classic Simmental shows. This year, the Eastern Regional Simmental Classic was held in Lebanon, Indiana. There were 161 contestants and 251 head at the Eastern Regional. Tennessee was represented by Walker Housley, Stratton Stafford, Samantha Roberts, Kendyll Smallen, Riley Smallen, Eli Mundy, and Ethan Bartee. Some of their accomplishments were: Walker Housley- Reserve Champion Bred and Owned Bull; Stratton Stafford- 3rd in Junior Livestock Judging; Samantha Roberts- 5th, 8th, and 9th Overall Bred and Owned Percentage Females, Kendyll Smallen- 3rd Overall in Division 5 of the Owned Purebred Show, Eli Mundy- Champion Division 5 Purebred Heifer and 7th Overall Owned Purebred Female, Ethan Bartee 4th Overall in Division 5 of the Owned Purebred Show.
The National Classic was held in Madison, Wisconsin with 801 cattle entries. Our three exhibitors were Samantha Roberts, Riley Smallen, and Walker Housley. They participated with 500 exhibitors from 29 states and 1 Canadian Province. All three participated in the educational events along with showing Bred and Owned animals and animals purchased from Tennessee breeders. Walker Housley has served on the AJSA Board of Trustees for the last two years and was elected for another 2-year term during the National Classic. Samantha Roberts had 11th and 17th Overall Bred and Owned Percentage Females, and placed 13th Overall in the Cattleman’s Quiz, 16th in Sales Talk, 12th in Genetic Evaluation Quiz, and 17Th Overall Senior. Walker Housley received the Silver Merit Scholarship, and placed 1st in the Intermediate Division of the Judging Contest, 2nd in Cattleman’s Quiz, 2nd in Genetic Evaluation, 7th in Sales Talk, 12thin Public Speaking, and 2nd Overall Intermediate Division. He also exhibited the 9th Overall Bred and Owned Bull. Congratulations to all the Tennessee Junior Simmental members on a great summer!
Limousin
The National Junior Limousin Show & Congress, The Limousin Texas Two-Step, was held in Amarillo, Texas – June 25-30, 2022. Six Tennessee juniors represented our state by competing in different contests and shows. Aaliyah Byers placed 2nd in the Novice cattle photography contest and 7th in Novice Showmanship. She also exhibited the Neogen Ultimate Reserve Division III with CRCK Classy 252jet. Garrett Trivet placed 10th in Intermediate Showmanship. Alex Cunningham placed in the Livestock Judging Contest and 8th in Junior Showmanship. Meghan Madewell wrapped up her junior national’s career at this year’s junior national with 3rd place in class. Abby Byers and Molly Wyatt were the cheerleaders for the group.
Angus
The National Junior Angus Show was held in Kansas City, Missouri, July 2-9. The Tennessee All-Stars consisted of Lona Sims. Collin Cagle, Fallon Sullivan, Rob Oakley, Emma Armstrong, Alexandra Duckworth, Alli Perry, Remi Gardner, Kate Wainwright, Bracie Cagle, Allison Davis, Richard Crowell, Cole Armstrong, Lila Sims, Weston Rowlett, Lena Sims, Hadley Jordan, Jackson Hagood, Tyler Brown, and McKayla Dockery. This group of 19 juniors exhibited 46 head.
Allison Davis had several big wins at the 2022 NJAS. Allison exhibited the Grand Champion Bred & Owned Heifer with AED Rita 135J. She also took home Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Cow/Calf Pair. Allison also received the Angus/Talon Youth Educational Learning Program Undergraduate Scholarship of $5000 and the American Angus Auxiliary Scholarship with the opportunity to compete for the Miss American Angus title at this year’s Angus Convention in Salt Lake City. Ben Mayfield represented Tennessee in the prestigious NJAS Showmanship Contest. Ben was also the recipient of the Gold Award and 2012 NJAS “In A League of Their Own” scholarship. Tennessee was represented in the Team Fitting Contest by Weston Rowlett, Alli Perry, Lona Sims, and Ben Mayfield. The Sales Team placed 5th overall in the Senior Division and consisted of Alli Perry, Alexandra Duckworth, Remi Gardner, and Allison Davis. The Intermediate Quiz Bowl team advanced to the buzzer round of competition. The Quiz Bowl team members were Alli Perry, Weston Rowlett, Jackson Hagood, and Cole Armstrong. The Cook-Off Team finished in 5th place with their “A League of their own fajitas.” Team members were Jackson Hagood, Lena Sims, Emma Armstrong, Alli Perry, Lila Sims, and Allison Davis.
Lastly, Tennessee took home 2nd in the Best State Herdsmanship contest as well as received recognition for completing the Angus Impact Challenge in making a difference in our community and state in 2022. There were many ribbons won, laughs shared, and friends made in the long, hot days during July 2-9 but we are already planning and looking forward to Grand Island, Nebraska – July 1-8, 2023!
Hereford
Hereford cattle from across the United States were welcomed to the bluegrass state of Kentucky for the 2022 Junior National Hereford Expo, Banners in the Bluegrass. Tennessee was one of many states represented in Louisville, July 16-22, for this year’s event. 19 exhibitors represented Tennessee at this year’s junior national. Tennessee juniors not only exhibited cattle but were involved in many of the social programs and contests that the JNHE offers. Tennessee was represented by Tennessee junior, Libby Rushton, who continued to fulfill her leadership role on the National Junior Hereford Association Board of Directors. During the JNHE, Libby was appointed to serve as the Communications Chair. Another highlight from the week included Foster Wingler receiving the Outstanding Tennessee Junior Member. Jaclyn Aiken, Tennessee Hereford Queen, represented our state by fulfilling several queen duties and attending numerous queen functions. Tennessee had several class winners and heifers in the top end of their classes. Mary Carter Shirley exhibited the Champion Intermediate Bull. Tennessee juniors, Mary Carter Shirley and Makayla Dockery, also advanced to finals in Intermediate Showmanship.
Comments