Well, its official folks. I am no longer a teenager as of 4:20 a.m yesterday morning. With a new decade of my life starting, I though I would make some new goals and do some new things.
First things first, I must "rename" my blog-. I have decided to leave the same URL (to avoid making new business cards), but change the title. The second thing was to give my blog a facelift. I kept the same concept, just changed some font and color choices. I think it looks a tad more sophisticated :)
I also thought I could take a moment and look back on my life, see what I have accomplished and maybe make a few new goals for this upcoming decade, or a "Bucket list" of sorts.
So a few things I have accomplished in my first 19 years of life:
-Won Grand Champion Steer at a cattle show.
- Finalist in Alberta 4-H Provincal Public Speaking
-Travelled to Japan for a month on my own.
-Travelled to Italy and Vatican City.
- Won a selections trip from Alberta 4-H (National Citizenship Seminar 2011)
- Accepted (and soon to complete) an agricultural diploma. (Animal Science)
- Travelled to Nashville, TN, and went to the Grand Ole Opry.
- Attended the National Western Stock Show in Denver, CO.
- Became an agvocate, and started a blog.
-Achieved my Platinum Award of Excellence with Alberta 4-H.
-Accepted to the University of Lethbridge to complete my degree.
-Elected as the President for the Lakeland College Students' Association-Vermilion campus.
-Accepted to interview for the Cattlemens Young Leaders mentorship program.
Wow, when you put it down on paper it seems like so much more. So this has got me thinking about some things I would like to complete in the future:
- Be accepted into the Cattlemens Young Leaders mentorship program.
-Apply to University of Calgary to get my Vetrenarian Medicine degree.
-Travel to Costa Rica to do a Vet Tech program.
-Go on an Alaskian Cruise.
- Become a Professional Agrologist with the Alberta Insitute of Agrologists
-Attend a championship sports event (Grey Cup, Stanley Cup, etc).
- Gain my 3 and 5 year leader pins with Alberta 4-H.
- Get $20,000 in scholarships (already at $18,350- not much more to go!!!!!!!)
I am very happy with the first 2 decades of my life, and I can not wait to see what this next decade has in store for me.
Showing posts with label National Western Stock Show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Western Stock Show. Show all posts
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Sunday, 18 March 2012
Born in the wrong town.
Some people are old souls, and claim they were born in the wrong decade, as they believe they would have been more comfortable with different fashion trends and music. Other people were born in the wrong town, thinking they would much rather enjoy a life either with the big city lights, or the stars above their cattle pastures. This post is about a girl who was born in the wrong town.
Going to college or university is about stepping outside of your comfort zone and finding out who and what you are going to be. My friend Thea Reed, did just that by attending Lakeland College and taking Animal Science Technology.
Thea was born in Squamish, BC, and spent practically her whole life there. For those of you who do not know where that is, you can find her hometown nestled between Vancouver and Whistler. Typically, this town isn't home to many aspiring agricultural professionals, except one.
Out in Manitoba, her aunt runs a feedlot, which got Thea started on her love for everything cows.
After applying to come to school in September 2010, Thea applied to work on the college farm for the summer of 2010, to help herself gain more knowledge on everything farming. Most people would never travel over 1500km away from home to start a new adventure like this. This is why I am amazed by this girl, stepping outside of her comfort zone, knowing this is what she wants to do for the rest of her life.
Working at the college farm that summer, Thea was finally able to purchase her first real cow to call her own. She bought a Jersey steer, and named him Stetson. As you can tell from the picture below, there was a lot of love between her and this little steer. Everyone that Christmas got Christmas cards, from Thea and Stetson.
Somewhere along the ride of college, she began a love for the breed of Minature Herefords, which of course caught a lot of slack from our classmates. This did not, and still has not diminished her dream of becoming a miniature Hereford breeder. After starting Lakeland, Thea got involved in the Stockman's Club The club's purpose is to bring together students who are interested in the future of the cattle industry, while going to shows as well as exhibiting cattle. Thea was given the opportunity to travel to Denver, CO to attend the National Western Stockshow with the club. This was an opportunity of a lifetime for everyone on this trip. We spent about 4 days touring the barns at the show and learning about the "odd" breeds of cattle that are not your typical top contenders. There was a great attendance from the Minature Hereford breeders in America, and helped make Thea's dream much more concrete.
Another dream of Thea's was be an exhibitor of cattle at a cattle show. She did not care where, or with who's cattle, she just wanted to try it. This past Saturday at the Lakeland College Stockman's Club Little Royal Steer and Heifer Jackpot Show, her dream came true. On show morning, Thea came up to me and you could tell she was very nervous as this would be her very first time in the show ring, and asked, "Weren't you nervous your first time showing?" In which I answered, "Probably, but I was 11 years old, so I don't really remember." Which got me thinking, how much passion and drive she had to do this for her first time at the ripe age of 20. Everyone she was competing with had been showing for years, which only made her nerves run higher. However, you would have never known this watching her in the ring from the stands. She knew exactly how to set up her animal, where to rub it's belly to keep it calm, and her heifer was the only one who stood still throughout the entire class. This has got to say something about her love for all things cow. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that Thea and her heifer won second place in their class!!
I am amazed by the passion and determination Thea exhibits when it comes to agriculture. Coming from a town where cow was simply a term used when talking about a steak or a glass of milk, she has found her home. I am confident that Thea will become a great Minature Hereford breeder, and an advocate for agriculture, I also believe she is a prime example of following your heart to do what you love, even if it does mean moving 1500km away from home.
Going to college or university is about stepping outside of your comfort zone and finding out who and what you are going to be. My friend Thea Reed, did just that by attending Lakeland College and taking Animal Science Technology.
Thea was born in Squamish, BC, and spent practically her whole life there. For those of you who do not know where that is, you can find her hometown nestled between Vancouver and Whistler. Typically, this town isn't home to many aspiring agricultural professionals, except one.
Out in Manitoba, her aunt runs a feedlot, which got Thea started on her love for everything cows.
 | |
| This is just a taste of her cow inspired room. |
 | ||
| Almost 1500km away from home. |
 |
| Merry Christmas! Love, Thea and Stetson |
 |
| There is a bond between a girl and her cow. |
Somewhere along the ride of college, she began a love for the breed of Minature Herefords, which of course caught a lot of slack from our classmates. This did not, and still has not diminished her dream of becoming a miniature Hereford breeder. After starting Lakeland, Thea got involved in the Stockman's Club The club's purpose is to bring together students who are interested in the future of the cattle industry, while going to shows as well as exhibiting cattle. Thea was given the opportunity to travel to Denver, CO to attend the National Western Stockshow with the club. This was an opportunity of a lifetime for everyone on this trip. We spent about 4 days touring the barns at the show and learning about the "odd" breeds of cattle that are not your typical top contenders. There was a great attendance from the Minature Hereford breeders in America, and helped make Thea's dream much more concrete.
 | ||
| Thea posing with a Minature Hereford in Denver. |
 | |||
| Thea exhibiting one of Lakeland College's heifers. Photo credit: Cathy McKenzie |
Thursday, 12 January 2012
National Western Stock Show
So I am headed to the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, CO in exactly one week! I am beyond excited to see everything. So I thought I would read up on one of the largest Stock shows in North America, and what started it all.
It all started in 1899, with some informal livestock shows hosted in Denver, on an irregular basis. Finally in 1905, a group of interested stakeholders met in December. The site of the Stockyards was choosen, which was kept until 2001.
The very first organized show was held on January 29, 1906 and ran for 6 days. The first General Manager was chosen as Harry Petrie. There was an estimated 15,000 spectators for this beginning year.
The 1906 Grand Champion steer sold for 33 cents per pound, which was a whopping 23 cents over the current market price. Things started out very strong for the very first NWSS.
March 1906, the not for profit organization was officially incorporated.
The Horse Division was added in 1907, and in 1909 Aberdeen Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn breeds were added to the program.
1909 was the first year they charged admission, which was a quarter. (I WISH!)
Finally in 1911they built the two and three story barns, as well as a club building. The program also expanded this year, to include poultry and beef carcass classes.
In 1915, the show had to be canceled due to the Foot and Mouth disease epidemic, which did not allow livestock to cross state lines. This was the only year in the shows 106 year history it was cancelled.
A program for admiting school children to the show was established in 1922.
The show started to feel the effects of the Great Depression in 1926, and lasted until 1933.
Rodeo was introduced into the shows program in 1932, as a part of the 25th anniversary celebration, which also included building the Lamont Pavillion.
The 1935 show added the first Cath-a-Calf contest and included girls in 1974, and in 1941 the Grand Champion steer was shown by a 12 year old, Kenny Monfort!
The show was forced to be confined to local participation due to the repercussions of World War II. In 1952, the ground expanded to include the Denver Coliseum.
The 60s was a great year for adding to the show program, to include Appaloosa, Paint and Pinto classes, as well as a Charolais cattle class.
1972 was a difficult year for show officials. Their Grand Champion Steer was deemed to be ineligible, s it was entered at the American Royal show as a white steerm and was dyed black for the NWSS.
The 80s ws also a huge year for the show, as 1980 helped expand the show to include Bison, and was the year the National Western Scholarship Fund was added. 1987 opened the International Center, and registered over 600 guests. 1988 was a record year of attendance, to include over half a million people.
In 1996 the 90th Western Stock SHow expanded to 16 days with 23 rodeo performances, 11 Hrose shows and 2 Mexican rodeos.
The Pro Rodeo Cowboy's Association named the National Western as the worlds #1 indoor Rodeo in 1997.
Coming into the digital age, the show went online at nationalwestern.com in 1998.
The new millennium was an opening year for dairy cow milking competition, wild horse races, and a stick horse rodeo for kids.
An all new Western Heritage Week took place in the stockyards in 2009 including the first annual Stockdog sale, All Breeds Bull Sale and a Celebrity Chuck Wagon Cook-off.
Despite the severe cold and snow, last year during the first week of the show alone, attendance hit over 600,000 people!
I am beyond excited to be heading to Denver for a short 5 days, but I can not wait to share this experience with my college family.
It all started in 1899, with some informal livestock shows hosted in Denver, on an irregular basis. Finally in 1905, a group of interested stakeholders met in December. The site of the Stockyards was choosen, which was kept until 2001.
The very first organized show was held on January 29, 1906 and ran for 6 days. The first General Manager was chosen as Harry Petrie. There was an estimated 15,000 spectators for this beginning year.
The 1906 Grand Champion steer sold for 33 cents per pound, which was a whopping 23 cents over the current market price. Things started out very strong for the very first NWSS.
March 1906, the not for profit organization was officially incorporated.
The Horse Division was added in 1907, and in 1909 Aberdeen Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn breeds were added to the program.
1909 was the first year they charged admission, which was a quarter. (I WISH!)
Finally in 1911they built the two and three story barns, as well as a club building. The program also expanded this year, to include poultry and beef carcass classes.
In 1915, the show had to be canceled due to the Foot and Mouth disease epidemic, which did not allow livestock to cross state lines. This was the only year in the shows 106 year history it was cancelled.
A program for admiting school children to the show was established in 1922.
The show started to feel the effects of the Great Depression in 1926, and lasted until 1933.
Rodeo was introduced into the shows program in 1932, as a part of the 25th anniversary celebration, which also included building the Lamont Pavillion.
The 1935 show added the first Cath-a-Calf contest and included girls in 1974, and in 1941 the Grand Champion steer was shown by a 12 year old, Kenny Monfort!
The show was forced to be confined to local participation due to the repercussions of World War II. In 1952, the ground expanded to include the Denver Coliseum.
The 60s was a great year for adding to the show program, to include Appaloosa, Paint and Pinto classes, as well as a Charolais cattle class.
1972 was a difficult year for show officials. Their Grand Champion Steer was deemed to be ineligible, s it was entered at the American Royal show as a white steerm and was dyed black for the NWSS.
The 80s ws also a huge year for the show, as 1980 helped expand the show to include Bison, and was the year the National Western Scholarship Fund was added. 1987 opened the International Center, and registered over 600 guests. 1988 was a record year of attendance, to include over half a million people.
In 1996 the 90th Western Stock SHow expanded to 16 days with 23 rodeo performances, 11 Hrose shows and 2 Mexican rodeos.
The Pro Rodeo Cowboy's Association named the National Western as the worlds #1 indoor Rodeo in 1997.
Coming into the digital age, the show went online at nationalwestern.com in 1998.
The new millennium was an opening year for dairy cow milking competition, wild horse races, and a stick horse rodeo for kids.
An all new Western Heritage Week took place in the stockyards in 2009 including the first annual Stockdog sale, All Breeds Bull Sale and a Celebrity Chuck Wagon Cook-off.
Despite the severe cold and snow, last year during the first week of the show alone, attendance hit over 600,000 people!
I am beyond excited to be heading to Denver for a short 5 days, but I can not wait to share this experience with my college family.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)