In a year of much uncertainty, the word “cancellation” has become a familiar foe and has given our industry a chance to do something that feels normal. Just like many industry leaders this year, Preston and Samantha Graves, Wade and Jenika Huston and the Missouri Club Calf Association have worked hard to come up with another opportunity for youth to exhibit their livestock. The group has organized two shows in one weekend. The MCCA Winter Preview Show and Chillicothe Winter Preview Show will both occur this weekend, December 12th & 13th in Chillicothe, Missouri at the Livingston County Fairgrounds.
The weekend will consist of a Prospect Market Animal Show and Prospect & Senior Heifer Shows on both days. The MCCA has selected Jeff Gooden to judge their show on Saturday, and the Chillicothe Preview Show committee has elected Chad Holtkamp to sort. They have also hired an official photographer to make this a top notch show. Mittag Designs will be in attendance all weekend long to help capture candids and backdrops for everyone. This weekend’s shows are predicted to be the biggest that this fairgrounds has seen and both groups urge people to be prepared.
We sat down with Chillicothe Preview Show committee member, Samantha Graves to learn more about Sunday’s show. Exhibitors on Sunday will get a shot at Top 5 prizes and payouts in both prospect market animals and prospect heifers. The Top 5 payouts are the following: Champion – $500; Reserve – $250; Third Overall – $150; Fourth Overall – $100; Fifth Overall – $75. Samantha is very excited for this opportunity to give the youth another chance to exhibit their projects, because a lot of kids did not get that opportunity this year. “I’ve been to a lot of shows over a lot of years, and its seems like the last 6 months that every show has meant so much. You don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to show, it is a privilege these days, and it is not something to take advantage of,” says Samantha. Preston, Samantha, Wade and the rest of the volunteers have worked hard to make sure this weekend is all about the youth and showing cattle. This show is open to any exhibitor 21 and under and you do not need to be a member of the Missouri Club Calf Association to show. “Every interaction we have with today’s youth gives us an opportunity to have a hand in shaping a better tomorrow. Even if it’s just a weekend at a time” Samantha stated. This weekend is sure to be one to remember, and numbers are anticipated to be high with youth traveling in from several states.
Preston & Samantah Graves and daughter, Beau Ann.
We look forward to seeing all of you come to Chillicothe this weekend! We will have a show trailer on site for all your weekend show supply needs!