What's it to you?

As I listen to one of my favorite songs by Clay Walker, it makes me think "what is it to you?" For some it's playing sports. Getting a much needed passing grade on a test. Or being in the great outdoors. For me, it's being in the show ring. It is the one place I feel alive. But it's not always easy to get there. Just like every endeavor in life, in order to succeed you must put time and effort into it. Sometimes it gets frustrating, monotonous, and down right draining but you must keep on going even if it seems like a one step forward, two steps back kind of deal. The lessons I have learned growing up in a showing atmosphere apply to anything I may be faced with.  But I find it all worth while. When I am in the show ring, it's just me and my animal that I have worked with producing a rhythm of two hearts beating pounding out a message steady and true. When I was four my first love was pigs, and they always will be an important part of who I am today and who I will be in the future. So no matter what your passion is in life, go after it with all of your heart. It will be worth it in the end.

It's really over...

First Off, this is not a sappy emotional blog from me. I held it together surprisingly well since this was really the last time I will ever be showing junior market hogs at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. It was definitely a week to put down in the records as amazing. I owe that to my family and friends. I am truly blessed to have a father that knows exactly what to say to keep my tears away and a smile on my face. The week started of rolling with getting to catch up with all of my "show" friends I don't get to see nearly enough and a fourth place overall in senior showmanship. The pigs finished out third and sixth in class. Even though I did not make the Premium Sale and get a second chance at Premier Exhibitor, I have nothing to complain about. (A little history on my P.E. experience.... I was second in 2008 by .85 points, missing out on the trailer lease and scholarship. That is a story that will for sure be passed long to my kids. ) My favorite part on show day is sitting in the stands and watching a judge with years of experience in the industry I love so much just "talk hogs". I commend Jim McCoy for working with  great set of kids in showmanship and coming back to evaluate a good, solid set of market hogs. I hope that one day that will be me standing in the ring judging. Aside from the hustle and bustle of showing I got to meet some pretty amazing people through my new opportunity with the Junior DRIVE Team. I am looking forward to the year ahead working with Shawn Zeringue and Marissa Tankersley and the rest of the Junior Team at DRIVE. I wish everyone on the team could have came or been in Denver at the same time to meet each other, but hopefully down the road that soon will get to happen. This team has brought youth together from all across the country that share a strong love for the show rings and their respective industry. I had no reason to cry that it was my last year because I know that there are youngsters out there who have the same desire and passion to show pigs like I do, and that puts a smile on my face. My last day in Denver was spent eating lunch at one of my old favorite's-- The Stockyards Bar and Grill and eating supper at one of my new favorite places-- Texas de Brazil...my mouth is watering now over the amazing meat these places serve. If your ever in Denver, these  are a must on the list of places to eat. 

NWSS, I will never get step across that show ring with a hog again, but thats okay...it's been a good run. But I know I will be seeing you in the future-- judging livestock during my college career, taking my kids to show, and hopefully one day to be the judge.

One Last Rodeo...

As I come inside on a cold, windy snow-drifting day in January, my toes are throbbing and my nose is numb. I wonder what in the world I am doing outside on a day like this. Well, of course it's National Western Stock Show time, the pigs must be taken care of, after all this is the last time I will cross that ring as a junior exhibitor in Denver. I know I do sound like a broken record now and then, but the preparation for Denver has to be very well thought out and planned ahead to be a success. When we are having at least on litter of pigs a day, and part of us is leaving for a week and part of us is staying....it takes crazy planning skills for it to work out. Some days I don't feel like working in the barn when it is so bitter outside, but I know I must push that thought to the side and keep on keeping on. This being my "last rodeo" in Denver my emotions are on edge just a bit. Everyday is one less day I have with my one last set of Denver pigs. This year I had to make some sacrifices for Denver, that being not going to my senior year homecoming. I know that I will be missing out on some awesome times at home, but it's what I have to do. The chapter to an awesome part of my life is starting to slowly come to a close. It's never easy to be told you are to old to do what you love to do so much in life, but that's just another part of life and growing up. As this chapter closes, another one will begin, another chapter full of endless possibilities waiting for me to write in the book of life. 

P.S.- see you in Denver... 

Where I got my start...

When I was four year's old my daddy told me it was time to learn how to show pigs. My attention span wasn't the longest, as most youngsters aren't and daddy felt like he wasn't making any progress. But he was relentless, day in and day out he would take me to the barn and make me practice. I will have to admit nowadays, practice does make all the difference when it comes to showing livestock. The first time I stepped into the ring all by myself was at the Scarlet & Gray Market Hog Spectacular in Washington Court House, Ohio. I had a hampshire gilt with a black front foot (dad's plan for me not loosing her), as I recall. My show attire was like most, wrangler jeans, button up shirt and cowboy boots. However, my cowboy boots were different...they were pink. The pink boots were my "signature" for much of my young career until I grew out of them. Dad was a little nervous as how I would do showing for the first time without him, since he didn't feel like a payed a bit of attention to him. I proved him wrong. I showed just like daddy had told me, and at the age of four won my first peewee showmanship under Mr. Steve Nichols. I have never seen a look of shock as I did on dad's face when I came out of the ring. His encouragement to show, along with my family's huge support is what gives me the drive to continue to show. The greatest thing to do as a young shower is to begin at a jackpot show. It gives you the opportunity to step in the ring with others that are behind you all the way. My memories reflect back to Mr. & Mrs. Roger and Bev Bentley and their daughters Sherri Kile, Christi Bachman and Holly Wagner. I owe them a huge "thank you" for all of their support of Ohio's youth. They are the ones behind the scenes of the Buckeye Show Circuit that is held during the winter. The Buckeye Show Circuit has helped me tremendously become the showman I am today. If anyone wants a start in showing hogs, I encourage you to become a part of your state's jackpot show circuit. The winter edition of the Buckeye Show Circuit is kicking off January 15th in Xenia, I wish all participants the best of luck!  Always know, you will have the love and support from the Bentley family!