The Sam Houston State University Beef Cattle Show Team left their mark at the West Texas Fair last Monday. The team won the Herdsman Award, as well as second, third and fifth place awards for each of their show calves.
The SHSU Beef Cattle Show Team is an organization that raises and exhibits Angus cattle that are provided by Gibbs Ranch. The team exhibited three of its Angus cattle under the judge Ryan Cummins Monday morning at 9 a.m. in Abilene.
“It’s a great way to represent Sam Houston while being able to continue our show careers in the beef cattle industry,” team co-captain Johnna Williams said.
The traveling team consisted of Williams and co-captain Celeste Crawford and members Kacie Ging, Torie Parsons and Macey Bunch. When they first arrived, they began show preparations that included setting up the team display and washing and grooming the animals. On the morning of the show, the calves were groomed again and prepared for their moment in
the ring.
“I’m very proud of our team and how well we worked together to get the cattle ready for the show and representing SHSU,” Crawford said.
The three heifers brought by the team were SH Fancy Ruby, SH Barbara Ann and SH Estrella. SH Fancy Ruby exhibited by Crawford received fifth place in her class. SH Barbara Ann exhibited by Williams received third place in her class, and SH Estrella exhibited by Ging received second place in her class.
“For being their first show of the season, they acted well-prepared and exhibited how any champion heifer should,” Williams said.
The big surprise came at the end of the show when the announcement was made that SHSU won the Herdsman Award—given to exhibitors who maintain a clean stall area and engage the public in their project.
“I really enjoyed bonding with the new members, networking with other breeders, and creating long-lasting relationships,” Williams said.
The team travels to shows all over the state of Texas, and even out of state to Louisiana. Every evening the team meets at Gibbs Ranch to practice working with the cattle to prepare them for shows.
“We love what we do,” Crawford said. “It’s our passion, and we will always work hard and push ourselves to succeed in the show ring.”