For the 14th consecutive year, the Blanco FFA Chapter held its local livestock show for all local FFA members. Almost 100 exhibitors and nearly 200 animal projects competed for over $10,000 in awards and prize money. Mr. Rip Gravel of Dripping Springs analyzed the sheep and goats, while Mr. Mark Jarzombek of Floresville judged the steers and hogs.

This year’s show began on Friday, December 17 with the lamb show. Sophomore FFA member Tyler Hardin claimed Grand Champion honors with his Champion Medium Wool, while Alex Gustafson was named Reserve Grand Champion with her Reserve Medium Wool. Other breed and reserve breed champions are as follows: Champion Southdown – Tyler Hardin, Reserve Southdown – Joanna Delavan, Champion Finewool – Trevor Hardin, Reserve Finewool – Logan Parker, Champion Crossbred – Mindy Dechert, and Reserve Crossbred – Trevor Hardin. The lamb show concluded with Joanna Delavan winning champion showmanship, followed by Tyler Hardin winning reserve.

After the lamb show, the day concluded with the goats. Senior Lauren Winn took home top honors after her class 5 champion was named Grand Champion of the show. Jr. FFA member Maggie Reininger was then selected Reserve Grand Champion with her class 3 winner. Other class champions and reserves included: class 1 and 4 champions Maggie Reininger, class 1 and 2 reserves Hannah Garrett, class 2 champion Tyler Brown, class 3 and 5 reserves Ryan Edwards, and class 4 reserve Lauren Winn. The show came to a close for the evening with freshman Ryan Edwards being named champion showman and Lauren Winn winning reserve showman.

On Saturday, December 18, the steer show began and junior FFA member Carly Haack was named Grand Champion with her Champion European steer. Senior Kylie Leachman won Reserve Grand Champion honors with her Champion British steer. Other breed and reserve breed champions are as follows: Champion American – Kolby Marek, Reserve American – Carlin Green, Reserve British – Brenna Wallace, and Reserve European – Kylie Leachman. Freshmen Carlin Green was selected as the Champion Showman, while Jr. FFA member Brenna Wallace was named Reserve Champion.

Finally, this year’s show concluded with the hogs as junior FFA member Kelton Marek took home Grand Champion honors with his Champion Yorkshire. Hannah Garrett was then selected Reserve Grand Champion with her Champion Crossbred. Other breed and reserve breed champions included: Champion Duroc – Addy Seymour, Reserve Duroc – Lauren Winn, Champion Hampshire – Ryan Edwards, Reserve Hampshire – Trevor Hardin, Reserve Yorkshire – Jacob Robinson, Champion Dark OPB – Kolby Marek, Reserve Dark OPB – Addy Seymour, Champion White OPB – Joanna Delavan, Reserve White OPB – Reilly Burnett, and Reserve Crossbred – Asher Haack. Showmanship honors went to Cody Perez champion and Trevor Hardin reserve.

As always, numerous individuals and businesses helped to make this year’s show a huge success. A special “Thank You” goes out to all of the sponsors.