The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo gave local students the opportunity to put their best hooves forward.
A handful of Tioga students competed in different competitions, including market barrows, breeding gilts, breeding sheep and heifers.
Brooklyn Lewter, who competed in the breeding gilts, placed fifth in the class.
Fellow student Emma Howell also competed in the breeding gilts with her Duroc and took home first in her class.
“I want to give a big shout-out to Emma Howell for winning her class with her breeding gilt,” TFFA ag teacher Tanner Hash said via email. “Being a senior, students always go all out for their final year, and so far, she has had more bad luck than good, but hopefully this class winning Duroc gilt will help turn her senior year around.”
In the breeding sheep competition, senior Izzie George also had a strong finish and received second in “one of her last major livestock shows,” Hash said.
Jett Colteryahn competed with his heifer and took home eighth in his class.
Four students, Brooklyn Lewter, Hudson Howard, Caleb Wilson and Brynn Tackett, competed in the market barrows competition with their hogs.
Although the students did not place, Hash praised them and said they did “very well.”
“In the pig barn, both the breeding gilts and the market barrows, students are being very competitive and consistently making it past the sift,” he said. “These students are showing their pigs to the best of their ability, and some are lucky enough to place high enough in their classes to get a backdrop picture.”
He added the group is excited about taking the projects to compete in the county and the Houston Rodeo.
“We are expecting to have more success to finish out the year,” he said. “These students continue to put in the extra work and time that it takes to get these projects ready for the big shows.”
Pilot Point FFA also competed in a variety of different shows, including ag mechanics.
To kick things off, Adisyn Johnson represented Pilot Point FFA at the Swine Show Opening Ceremony.
Hunter Tidwell stayed booked and busy this rodeo season as he competed in three shows: the Gilt Show, the Barrow Show and the Ag Mechanics Show.
Brooklyn Renfro also competed in three competitions: the Calf Scramble, Barrow Show and the Swine Skillathon, where she took seventh.
Kade Stuckly, who made a grand exit, took home the Junior Calf Division Champion title at the San Antonio Heifer Show.
Several students showcased their craftsmanship in the ag mechanics show, including Wyatt Arnold, Drevion James and Caden David.
Ag teacher Bailee Greiner shared how happy she was for the students.
“We are very proud of all of our students who represented Pilot Point FFA,” Greiner said via email. “They saw growth, success, and for some, the fire for next year was ignited and goals were set. We look forward to continuing to see our students excel both in and out of the ring.”
Aubrey ISD also received several top placings.
London Gravely brought home Reserve Breed Champion Suffolk Ram, in what the Aubrey FFA press release called “one of the most competitive breeding sheep shows in the country.”
Peyton Fortner took home sixth in Wether Dam.
Carmela Castiglione competed in multiple competitions, receiving second in Wether Dam, as well as sixth and eighth in Open Breeding Sheep.
Brandi Tovar took home eighth in Wether Dam as well as second in Breeding Heifer.
Brady Cassity walked away with seventh in the Purebred Breeding Gilt.
Ariana Wensel snagged 10th place in the Crossbred Breeding Gilt.
Lexi Gravely received third three times in the Breeding Doe competition.
Aubrey FFA also had a strong finish in the Breeding Heifer Division as both Grace Collins and Evan Wilkinson received first place in the Breeding Heifer show.
Kensie Bonnell took home fourth in Breeding Heifer, Cooper Wilkinson placed seventh in the Breeding Heifer, and Sawyer Noles rounded it off with ninth in Breeding Heifer.
Additionally, many students showed up and out as exhibitors at the San Antonio Stock Show: Naomi Welch, Odra Larman, Naylan Larman, Addi Appleby, Angel Baer, Ashlynn Navarro, Tess Gore, Maddox Rodriguez, Harper Frarer, Jenna Wellborn and Landyn Gulledge.
“These students have worked countless hours caring for and preparing their animals,” the release said. “Competing at major shows like San Antonio and San Angelo is a huge accomplishment, and we are proud of the dedication and sportsmanship they displayed.”
Brooklyn Lewter celebrates taking fifth with her Chester gilt in San Antonio. Photo Courtesy of Tioga FFA
