Published: March 04, 2008 12:16 am            

Exhibitors get premiums at NW District Junior Livestock Show sale

Winning feels good, but winning and getting $4,500 for it?

Well, “it’s exciting,” according to Grant Gregory, the 11-year-old showman of a Chianina heifer named J-Lo. Gregory, of Cimarron 4-H, won supreme champion heifer honors Friday, and Monday night the high bid for J-Lo was $4,500 during the 74th annual Northwest District Junior Livestock Show Premium Sale.

Kaylen McCary, of Chisholm FFA, also was pleased with the $2,100 bid on her reserve grand champion steer.

“I never expected to get this far,” she said. “But I was hoping for it.”

McCary, a sophomore, said she plans to use the money for college.

Brad Blankenship, Security National Bank president, placed bids on several animals during the premium show.

“The whole idea is to keep the averages up and to recognize each exhibitor’s investment in their animal,” Blankenship said.

This year’s total premium sale and grand total amounted to $127,850. The premium sale brought in slightly less than last year’s $129,212, but well over 2006’s total of $98,500.

Before the premium sale, several awards were presented.

Receiving trophies were: Adam Smith of Guthrie, Benda Family Memorial Traveling Trophy; Kyle Wheatly of Morrison, Mike Witt Traveling Trophy; and McKenzie Clifton of Kingfisher, Henry Moehle Traveling Trophy.

The 4-H judging contest winners were: junior team, Kay County 4-H, Garrett Goodwin, Kacee Kincaid and Rachel Smith, with Smith receiving high individual; and senior team, Kay County 4-H (Winchester Traveling trophy), Maria Good-win, Terra Jeffries, Jessica Miller and Dane DeWitt. Logan Pritchet, of Kingfisher, took home high individual honors.

FFA Judging Contest winners were: junior team, Morrison FFA, Garret Johns, Sierra Bullock, Mike Mauden and Mary Jo Leedy, with Johns receiving high individual distinction; and senior team, Kingfisher FFA (Winchester Trophy), McKensie Walta, Josh Lippolt, Kyle Mueggenborg and McKinsie Clifton, with Clifton winning high individual honors.

Lamb lead champion for the junior division was Joshua Stewart, of Alfalfa County. Reserve champions were Kayla Lyons, Noble County, and Allyson Stewart, Alfalfa County. Lamb lead champion for the senior division was Heather Piercing, Logan County. Re-serve champions were Amber Allen, Alfalfa County, and Ivy Hill, Logan County.

Winning awards in the news reporting competition were Carissa Neufield, of Fairview FFA, first place; Samantha Smith, of Burlington FFA, second place; and Ashlyn Spradlin, of Fairview FFA, third place. Photography winners were Jaylyn Packard, of Cherokee FFA, first place; Mindy Blaser, of Deer Creek-Lamont, second place; and Marissa Gard, of Fairview FFA, third place.

Receiving 4-H and FFA student awards sponsored by the Enid News & Eagle were Kalie Clickner, of Pioneer-Pleasant Vale 4-H; Brandon Highfill, of Chisholm 4-H; Haley Baum-gardner, of Chisholm FFA; and Carly Schnaithman, of Garber FFA.

Approximately 1,200 students participated in this year’s show, exhibiting around 2,000 animals.