October 20, 2015 - Joaquin FFA participated in two East Texas livestock events, the East Texas State Fair in Tyler, Texas and the East Texas Show Star Series in Nacogdoches, Texas. In Tyler, Trey Harvey won Grand Champion Red Angus and won his class with each of his four heifers. Ethan Wood won Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Simmental. Abi Hooper won Grand Champion Shorthorn, 1st in class with her Charolais, and 2nd Place with her Beefmasters. Lauren Neal won 1st Place with her Limousin, and Jake Neal won 3rd Place. Cralon Hughes also won 3rd place with his Brangus. During the steer show, Abi Hooper’s steer won Grand Champion Limousin, and Ethan Wood’s Chi & Maine steers also won Grand Champion of their breeds.
Last weekend, several Joaquin FFA members attended the East Texas Show Star Series, a two-day event organized by Lane Dunn and the other extension agents from East Texas counties for FFA and 4H exhibitors of cattle, lambs, and goats. During Saturday’s clinic, students attended quality hands-on sessions where they learned about livestock judging, techniques in clipping and fitting, and showmanship of their animals, followed by a showmanship competition. On Sunday, they participated in a two-ring prospect show. Autumn Webb attended the goat clinic, and Cralon Hughes, Lauren Neal, Jake Neal, and Abi Hooper attended the cattle clinic. During the cattle showmanship competition, all of the Joaquin kids advanced to the finals of their respective divisions. In Sunday’s goat show, Autumn’s goat placed 9th in a large class of market goats. In the cattle shows, Cralon’s steer brought home a blue 1st Place ribbon, and his Brangus placed 3rd and 4th. Abi’s steer won Champion Steer in Ring A and Reserve Champion in Ring B. Her Beefmaster and Shorthorn won Supreme and Reserve Supreme Heifer. Jake and Lauren Neal’s Limousin heifers won 1st Place in their classes in both Ring A and B. Jake’s young heifer earned praise from the judge in Ring B and was selected Grand Champion Exotic Heifer. Congratulations to the kids, and we appreciate Lane Dunn and Shane Vance for their hard work and the exceptional guidance they give for our junior exhibitors’ and their animal projects.
