Two Hampshire barrows stood out among the more than 2,700 swine exhibited during the 2018 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Junior Market Barrow Show. After a competitive four days in the show ring, the two winning Texas FFA members beamed with excitement during the Championship Drive, Thursday, March 15.
Dimmitt FFA member Hannah Simpson, 14, exhibited the Grand Champion Junior Market Barrow. Simpson said this is her fifth year competing at the Show, and that she was excited to win for the first time with her Hampshire barrow.
“It just felt so totally awesome to win,” Hannah said.
Katelyn Cozart, 17, from Early FFA, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Junior Market Barrow. Cozart said she has been showing at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo since the third grade and that she feels rewarded to win in 2018.
“Winning feels like hard work that has paid off, and that is an incredible feeling,” Cozart said.
The champion and reserve champion barrows will sell in the Junior Market Barrow Auction, Friday, March 16, at noon. More than 660 Junior Market Barrow exhibitors qualified for the auction in 2018. The auction is open to the public and will be held in the NRG Arena Sales Pavilion.