January 15, 2015 - The Joaquin FFA held their 3rd annual Joaquin AgBackers Livestock Show Saturday, January 3rd at the Panola County Expo Center in Carthage, Texas. FFA and 4H members braved the bad weather to participate in the successful two-ring event exhibiting 14 goats, 15 lambs, 18 steers, and 84 heifers.
In Ring A, Rick Hurcsh judged lambs and goats, and Dr. Gary Warner judged steers and heifers in Ring B. Grand Champions won belt buckles, and Reserve Grand Champions were awarded unique animal-shaped metal trophies designed and made in the JHS Ag Shop. Hursch and Warner also judged the Showmanship competitions for PeeWee, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior divisions. PeeWee participants (under 8 years) received a smaller replica of the metal trophies, and the winners of the older divisions received a jackpot cash reward. Former JHS student, Robin Perry assisted Mr. Hircsh in Ring A. Texas State FFA Officer Cullen Reeves, from West Sabine FFA and Cade Cockrell assisted in the cattle ring.
The Joaquin Show Team exhibited their animals well and earned a number of awards. In Ring A’s Lamb Show, Jairo Blanco and Josie Green both placed 1st in their classes. In the Grand Drive, Jairo’s lamb was chosen as the Reserve Grand Champion Lamb. In Ring B, Allison Gamble won 3rd place with her Mini-Hereford. The Heifer Show started with American breeds. Justin Hooper’s Beefmaster won 1st Place in class, and Abi Hooper’s earned 2nd Place. Justin’s returned for the Grand Drive to win Grand Champion Beefmaster. Cralon Hughes brought home a Reserve Grand Champion plaque for his Brangus heifer. Then, Blake Cummings also won Reserve Grand Champion Simbrah. Next was the British cattle. Trey Harvey’s Angus won Grand Champion. He showed two Red Anguses, each placing 1st in class and then Grand Champion. In the British AOB, Abi Hooper’s white Shorthorn won 1st in Class and Grand Champion. Tucker Gamble’s Hereford placed 2nd and was brought back into the ring for the Grand Drive to win Reserve Grand Champion British AOB. In the Exotic division, Lauren Neal and Miranda Prnka showed Limousin heifers. All three came home with blue ribbons, and Lauren’s youngest Limmy won Grand Champion. Finally, Ethan Wood showed three of his Simmental heifers each placing 1st in Class. His oldest won Grand Champion. The conclusion of the show was the Supreme Heifer Drive where the Grand Champions from each breed compete. Trey Harvey’s Red Angus was chosen as the Supreme Heifer Champion, and Abi Hooper’s Shorthorn won Reserve Supreme Champion of the show.
Several other Shelby County FFA and 4H students exhibited animals as well. From Timpson FFA, April Ramsey showed a Simmental Heifer who won Reserve Grand Champion. April’s performance in the show ring was outstanding, and she was chosen as the Intermediate Showmanship Champion. Sadie Ramsey won Grand Champion with her Santa Gertrudis. Ally Kimbro’s Santa Gertrudis was named Reserve Grand Champion. Ally also showed a goat who placed 3rd. Baylor Kimbro earned 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in heifer classes and 3rd place with his goat. Keaton Bush showed three Santa Gertrudis heifers, winning 1st,2nd, and 3rd in class. showed Gerts as well. Clarissa Menefee of Tenaha showed a steer who won 1st place in class. Sarah Arbuckle and Dustin Burns each showed a steer. Sarah’s won 2nd Place and Dustin’s came in 3rd in the same class.
We would like to thank Shane Vance, the JHS Ag teacher, for his hard work planning for the show as well as the many family members and students who volunteered their time.
Josie Green exhibited a young lamb who won 1st Place in Class 1.
Jairo Blanco’s lamb won 1st Place in class. Then, the winners from each class returned to the show ring for the Final Grand Drive, and Jairo’s lamb was selected Reserve Grand Champion Lamb.
In the Steer Competition, Allison Gamble showed a Mini-Hereford and won 3rd Place in class.
Trey Harvey smiles as he exhibits his Red Angus, the Supreme Champion of the heifer show. He also showed the Grand Champion Angus and Reserve Grand Champion Red Angus
Abi Hooper won Reserve Supreme Champion with her Shorthorn British AOB Grand Champion heifer.
Justin Hooper ‘s calf won Grand Champion Beefmaster. He purchased this heifer as a result of successfully catching a calf last Spring at the Houston & Ft. Worth Livestock Shows.
Cralon Hughes won Reserve Grand Champion with his Brangus.
Blake Cummings exhibited a young Simbrah heifer. She won Reserve Grand Champion of the breed.
Tucker Gamble’s Hereford won Reserve Grand Champion British AOB. Plaques for Reserve Champions winners were made by Joaquin FFA members in the ag shop.
Lauren showed her two black Limousins. They both came home with blue class ribbons. Her younger Limousin was chosen as Grand Champion.
Mranda Prnka’s Limousin won 1st Place in class.
Ethan Wood showed three of his Simmental heifers. All three won their class and advanced to the Grand Simmental Drive. His oldest Simmental was selected Grand Champion of the breed.
Jake Neal, Keaton Hughes, and Allison Gamble participated in the PeeWee Division of the Showmanship Competition. They received trophies made by Joaquin FFA members in the Ag Shop.
