Local juniors compete and take top honors at 2023 National Show

Junior Shorthorn enthusiasts gathering from 28 states competed in the 2023 National Junior Shorthorn Show & Youth Conference in Des Moines, IA, June 17- June 24. Not only did the juniors compete with their animals, but had the opportunity to compete in multiple individual, team, or state contests.

Throughout the week juniors exhibited their animals and competed in individual contests. Contests included photography, promotional posters, arts, speech, livestock judging and showmanship. In addition to the individual contests there were team contests, such as team sales, team fitting, state herdsmanship, quiz bowl and beef cook-off. Juniors accumulated points for participating and placing in these events. A grand total is compiled from these contests and then five High Point individuals are recognized based on their age divisions.

HIGH POINT Receiving top honors in the Prospector I age division (age 9 years and under) was: 1. Adalynn Vaughn, Iowa 2. Kelby Ann Worthington, Okla. 3. Piper Cates, Ind. 4. Grady Jennings, Texas 5. Knitelynn June Toney, Okla. Prospector II age division (10 -12 years) was: 1. Brody Grathwohl, Kan. 2. Reagan Ferris, Ind. 3. Kolten Greenhorn, Ohio 4. Emma Helsinger, Ohio 5. Alexa Turner, Ill. Intermediate age division, (13 – 16 years) was: 1. Sheridan Soules, Okla. 2. Clay Lynn, Ala. 3. Callie Turner, Ill. 4. Josie Heter, Kan. 5. Jade McPeak, Okla. Senior age division, (17 -21 years) was:

1. Carissa Dalquest, Kan.

2. Jewel Thompson, Ala.

3. Paige Phillips, Ohio

4. Victoria Thompson, Ala.

5. Carter Meyer, Texas

Convincing prospective buyers (the judges) to purchase their animal is a glimpse of what the Team Salesmanship Contest looks like. Teams consisting of two individuals competed from 28 states in four age divisions. In the senior division, the exhibitors were given a scenario to present a business plan for a bank loan. The Intermediate division was to sell the Shorthorn Beef Program to a panel of judges. Prospector I and II divisions had the objective to sell an animal they had brought to the show. Judging was based on speaking participation of both team members, poise/skill in the presentation, teamwork, appearance of the animal and overall impact of the sale.

SALES TEAM Receiving top honors in the Prospector I age division (age 9 and under) was: 1. Adalynn and Alden Vaughn, Iowa 2. Piper Cates and Kase Knepp, Ind. 3. Fayth Couch and Liv Jurevicius, Okla. 4. Grady Jennings, Texas In the Prospector II age division, (10-12 years old) was: 1. Maddox Reedy & Jackson Bunting, Ill. 2. Ryder Heter & Brody Grathwohl, Kan. 3. Brock Studer & Kyser Will, Iowa 4. Courtney White & Hudson Thornton, Ala. 5. Braylee Kraisinger, Kan. & Alayna Caufield, S.D.

Intermediate age division, (13 – 16 years) was: 1. Josie Heter, Kan. & Jemma Jordan, Ind. 2. Sheridan Soules & Jade McPeak, Okla. 3. Kolten Greenhorn, Ohio & Callie Turner, Ill. 4. Clay Lynn & Kate Wiggins, Ala. 5. Evelyn Hill & Lindsey Jester, Ind. Senior age division, (17 -21 years) was:

1. Carissa & Cassidy Dalquest, Kan.

2. Jewel & Victoria Thompson, Ala.

3. Emma Wiggins & London Steele, Ala.

4. Morgan Vondra & Kylee Stelzer, Wis.

5. Courtney Rathke & Hailey Thomson, Wis.

One of the contests most looked forward to and popular is the Team Fitting Contest. The contest allows teams to showcase their talents and abilities to fit and trimmed to present an animal- using teamwork, their own techniques, and processes with a twenty-minute time limit. Judging criteria is based on both fitting techniques, teamwork and end presentation. The contest includes three age divisions, with an adult supervisor for each team in the prospector division.

TEAM FITTING Receiving top honors in the Prospector age division (age 12 and under) was:

1. Iowa- Brock Studer, Lauren Berg, Kyser Will, & Reagan Fox

2. Neb.- Annalynn Beach, Katelynn Brus, Kinsley White, & Jolie Kreifels

3. Mich./Pa./Ill.- Teagan Ritchie, Henry Allen, Drake Penrod, & Julianna Ritchie

4. Okla. – Kelby Worthington, Sam Parker, Mikka Brumley, & Knitelynn Toney

5. Iowa- Adalynn Vaughn, Alden Vaughn, Landrie Will, & Autumn Berg

Intermediate age division, (13 – 16 years) was:

1. Okla./Ill.- Sheridan Soules, Addison Dick, Jade McPeak, & Alexa Turner

2. Ohio/Ill.- Cooper Hetrick, Kolten Greenhorn, Sydnee Hawkins, & Callie Turner

3. Okla.- Kaden Bellows, JW Edelen, Jace Parker, & Kadin Worthington

4. Neb. – Cole Brus, Delanie Erwin, Sara Allard, & Dawson Barrnet

5. Ill./Ohio- Toby Behrends, Laci Wernicke, Addison Campbell, & Josh Blakeman

Senior age division, (17 -21 years) was:

1. Texas- Brayden DeBorde, Mackenlee Evans, Kendall Cleere, & Wyatt Smith

2. Minn.-Hunter Burns, Lane Jabs, Tyler DeGroot, & Matthew Frieman

3. Ind./Iowa/Ill.- Reid Utterback, Abby Bratcher, Hayden Fox, & Kesler Collins

4. Ind./Ohio- Miller Smith, Xavier Ferris, Skyler Ward, & Houston Ferree

5. Texas- Emilee Munchrath, Jackson Akers, Wyatt Oldham, & Morgan Brooks

Executive Secretary/CEO of the American Shorthorn Association, Montie Soules, explained in an interview that, “The National Junior Shorthorn Show and Youth Conference is every bit as much about the contests and the educational aspect from that as it is the cattle show. The youth of this breed pride themselves in participating in a number of contests. This provides leadership and communication skills for those junior exhibitors that will advance them in their lifelong goals. One of the things that I am most proud of about this event is the high participation percentage that we have in our contests. Our junior board and staff have made it a point to try and provide new and updated contests that challenge the junior members with the technology available in today’s world. This prepares Shorthorn youth for their future.”

For more information and a complete list of activities, sponsors, contests, and winners, visit www. shorthorn.org or contact the ASA at 816-599-7777 or shelby@shorthorn.org.

The American Shorthorn Association provides quality service and support to its members by promoting the value of Shorthorn Cattle in all aspects of the beef industry, while maintaining the integrity of the herd book and performance database. The American Junior Shorthorn Association promotes personal development through youth activities and educational events, while being dedicated to the betterment of its members. To learn more, contact the ASA office or visit www.shorthorn.org or www. juniorshorthorn.com.