"Young Lady this is our Grand Champion Hog" is what Jentri was told at the Southwest Livestock Show, wow!! I looked over at Shawn and he had tears in his eyes, along with Grandpa Garfield and Uncle Mike Smith.
Friday was the day of the judging at the Southwest Livestock Show and Shawn woke up after dreaming Pablo (Jens pig) was sick. When he and Jentri arrived at the show barn Shawn looked at Pablo and told Mike "Pablo looks really good today". Jentri and Pablo were in the second weight class which they won over 4 other hogs. When the Judge was talking about each pig in the class he said that Jens hog just out classed the others but there were a few things he would change about him if he could. This made Shawn a little nervous going in to the " Drive to the Grand Champion" (which the top hog in each class competes in) because a couple of the other class winners were told that their hogs were about as good as they could be.
The time came for Jen to take Pablo back into the show ring with the other class winners and Shawn was kind of pacing. The Judge walked around looking very close at each hog and the way they moved, how trim they were, felt the hogs to feel how solid they were. After what seemed like an hour the Judge walk straight towards Jentri took his cowboy hat off, shook her hand and said "Young Lady this is our Grand Champion Hog". Our families erupted with cheers.
Friday was the day of the judging at the Southwest Livestock Show and Shawn woke up after dreaming Pablo (Jens pig) was sick. When he and Jentri arrived at the show barn Shawn looked at Pablo and told Mike "Pablo looks really good today". Jentri and Pablo were in the second weight class which they won over 4 other hogs. When the Judge was talking about each pig in the class he said that Jens hog just out classed the others but there were a few things he would change about him if he could. This made Shawn a little nervous going in to the " Drive to the Grand Champion" (which the top hog in each class competes in) because a couple of the other class winners were told that their hogs were about as good as they could be.
The time came for Jen to take Pablo back into the show ring with the other class winners and Shawn was kind of pacing. The Judge walked around looking very close at each hog and the way they moved, how trim they were, felt the hogs to feel how solid they were. After what seemed like an hour the Judge walk straight towards Jentri took his cowboy hat off, shook her hand and said "Young Lady this is our Grand Champion Hog". Our families erupted with cheers.
Jentri and Pablo in the "Drive to the Grand Champion" competition.
Jen putting the big purple ribbon around her neck right after Pablo was named the Grand Champion Hog of the 2010 Southwest Livestock Show.
Pablo sporting the Grand Champion sign on his pen
Jentri and the Livestock Judge
Saturday morning exhibitors breakfast and awards ceremony
Jen was only concerned about getting a belt buckle which she would be awarded for having the champion hog. When we arrived at the breakfast Shawn went and got the paper that had the results of the Carcass Contest which is determined using ultrasound and measures the amount of fat free lean meat. When Shawn looked at the results he smiled and told Jentri that she would be getting 2 belt buckles 1 for the champion hog and 1 because Pablo had won the Carcass Contest. When they awarded her with the carcass belt buckle they announced that this was the first time anyone knew of that the Grand Champion hog had also won the Carcass Contest. Thats right Pablo was "Some Pig"
Delynn Barton giving Jen her 2nd place Herdsman award. This as an award that is given for cleanliness and taking care of your animal and the pen it is in.
Delynn Barton presenting Jentri with her Grand Champion belt buckle
Close up of the Grand Champion Buckle
Jentri and Pablo Sandoval really cleaned house in 2010.
Shawn told her she better quit now because it will be hard to top this year. Grand Champion, Carcass Contest winner, and 2nd place Herdsman Award.
The Sale
Jentri was sobbing before she went in the sale ring, Pablo was such an amazing pig and really had personality. Thanks to Uncle Mike Smith, Brecia, and Grandpa Garfield for all of the help.
Thanks to Grandpa Mike Stubbs for purchasing Pablo. We were shocked to read the thank you note Jen wrote to her Grandpa it said "Grandpa thanks for buying Pablo Im sure he will be some good bacon". This coming from the girl who was sobbing because she had to sell Pablo.
These awards did not come without some hard work.
Jentri walking one of the pigs. Jen and her cousins took turns walking the pigs 6 nights a week which payed off Jen: Grand Champion, Cooper: 4th overall, Brecia: 5th overall, Courtnie: 3rd in her class. I would say that is pretty impressive Smith/Garfield hogs had 3 of the top 5 hogs in the whole show.
Jentri and Brecia walking the pigs. Thanks Brecia you are an amazing coach.
Jentri giving Pablo Sandoval his haircut a couple of weeks before the show. Look at the build on that pig!
Another of Jen clipping Pablo.
After all is said and done the 2010 Southwest Livestock Show was a huge success. We would like to thank our families for all the hard work and support they gave to Jentri and Pablo Sandoval to make this a memorable experience.
