The one week that every Hereford enthusiasts awaits: Junior Nationals! The 2012 Junior National Hereford Expo was a week long event that brought over 650 exhibitors and nearly 1300 Hereford cattle to Grand Island, Nebraska during the week of July 1st through July 8th from 37 states. Although it was a hot one, everyone survived and walked away with great memories, new friends, and maybe even some great prizes.
With being on the National Board, the week is pretty busy for me from running contests, answering questions in the show office, people/cattle check-in, working the showring, early morning meetings, and simply socializing with people throughout the barns. I do a lot of foot work and not always a lot of work on the cattle and that is where my parents, sister, boyfriend, and state come in. They help me out so so so so much that I would NOt survive the week without their help!
As the week started, I got there early on Saturday, June 30th and helped the Nebraska crew (host state) get things all lined up and this included putting stickers on about 700 water buckets. Then, the people and cattle started to arrive. I "saved" many tie-out slots for several exhibitors from across the nation. People arrived while smiles and hugs were shared. It's typically 6 months to a year since we've all seen each other. On Sunday, evening the National Board had interviews for our five lovely and amazing candidates. They were entertained by our mascot "Scotch" as were several kiddos throughout the week as he kept watchful eye over us from the Hereford Club up above the show arena.
Monday brought about a long day of cattle check-in as we checked registration papers, health papers, and ear tattoos. That evening ended with getting all of the state's advisors information about each individual states' contest sign-ups. We have a lot of kids, a lot of contest, and not always enough time but I guess the growing pains are a good thing for our association.
Tuesday was a BUSY day! First, I helped with 3-on-3 basketball which is literally one of those contest that almost every kid and some adults participate in, but I would have to say that we finished in a record time of 3 hours this year and only had one major injury which happened to be a guy from the wonderful state of Minnesota who ended up basically tearing every tendon/ligament in one of his knees. After that I had to rush over to the Mentor Mixer which is a program where JNHE experienced individuals show first timers the ropes of the week long event. This year the kids help with some recycling can projects that were turned into the Grand Island Habitat for Humanity.
The evening ended with state group pictures and opening ceremonies which is a pretty cool deal. Each state walks into the showring with their respected state flag and parades around while the ring fills up with every exhibitor there. We then have our national anthem sung by our very own Miss Rossie Blinson of North Carolina who reigned as our 2010-2011 NJHA Chairman. We were then welcomed to the state of Nebraska by Lieutenant Govenor Rich Sheehy and were motivated by USA Olympic gold medalist Curtis Tomasevicz. Everyone then enjoyed a hamburger supper sponsored by Whisky Creek.
Wednesday started with livestock judging sponsored by my alma mater UNL and Purina Mills followed by team marketing, extemporaneous speech, and Hereford Bowl. That afternoon Sullivan's Supply Stockshow U put on a fitting/showmanship clinic which those learned skills were then tested during the Team Fitting contest in which we had 18 states participate in. It is a team effort made up of a peewee (7-9), junior (10-14) and senior (15-21).
WE'VE REACHED THE HUMP! All contest are now done and onto the showing aspect of the week.
Thursday has been soley set aside for showmanship. We allow any NJHA junior to participate in showmanship. You do not have to win showmanship at your state in order to compete at nationals. The more experience an individual can get in the ring, the better they will become.
Friday was Bred and Owned cow/calf pairs, bulls, and heifers followed by the steer show which was the largest it has been for awhile with 106 head shown. That evening we enjoyed a BBQ dinner sponsored by ShowRite and Hubbard Feeds.
To round out the weekend, Saturday and Sunday was our Owned heifer show.
This week long event would not be possible without our title sponor Biozyme Inc. with VitaFerm and SureChamp so thank you Bob and Lisa Norton and the Biozyme crew! Also, a big thank you to Sullivan Supply and Stockshow U for your sponsorship. And last but not least, thank you to every breeder and company that sponsored all of our awards and Miss Kris Vogel at Signature Signs for making the majority of our awards. And last but not least a hugh thank you to Grant and Linda McCay and the rest of the Nebraska Hereford Association for making it yet another successful Junior Nationals!
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| J&J Hanson Herefords three heifers at JNHE |
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| My 2nd in class August heifer from Bar M Herefords. Thanks Person Family! |
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| Roger and I patiently waiting to enter the showring |
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| Game face, ready to Show! |
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| Roomies came to visit! |
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| Best Friends and Sisters! Jody Hanson, Erin Fawcett, Kristin Fawcett, Jaime Hanson |
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| 2012-2013 NJHA Board Front: Tamar Adcock, Krissi McCurdy, Jaime Hanson, Shelby Rogers, Courtney Tribble. Back: Jason May, Brady Jensen, Austin Buzanowski, Keysto Stotz, Matt Woolfolk, Kristin Bielema, and Elise Hackett. |
Check out these videos from the final drives of our polled and owned heifer shows:
Next Hereford Adventure = PRIDE Leadership Conference-Grand Rapids, Michigan!
2012 JNHE = Kansas City, MO -- SEE YOU ALL THERE!
