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!