After thinking about my first win I just had to share.
I can remember when I would get Showbox Magazine in the mail. I would just look at all the Champions and think this will be me one day. I can remember going to the barn with my dad one early morning looking out the window and just randomly asking him "Do people ever remember about wining Reserve Champion?". He had a short and sweet answer to that question "No they do not".
I had taken my two Limousin heifers Princess and Penelope to two shows in the summer of 2005, San Angelo Spectacular and West Texas Fair and Rodeo. I can remember in San Angelo I won money and I got to keep it. I don't remember what place I got because they only gave money and no ribbons. I think I was a little disappointed about not having a ribbon but the money made it a little better! At the West Texas Fair and Rodeo I think I had a 2nd with Princess and a 3rd with Penelope. I can remember there were two rings at Abilene and my dad showed for me in the second. (Showing is our hobby so I really think he thought he needed to show). While I handed out ribbons
I would work with my heifers every day early in the morning go to school and come back to the barn and work with them some more. After the first week I had my two heifers I learned a couple things about them. Princess, her actual name is RoseMarie. That is what the breeder named her, My 7 year old self disliked that name so much. LOL She hated women and girls. She preferred men but grew to love me a tiny bit. Penelope, her actual name is Palestina, to this day I can't remember the name. I have to look at her paper work everytime. Penelope loved to escape halters didn't matter where we were she never stayed in her halter.
As the summer of 2005 was quickly coming to an end, my dad and I hooked on our old junkie goose neck yellow trailer with my mom and headed east, To the East Texas State Fair in Tyler, Texas. We only had Princess for this trip (She was the better of the two). We made it to Fort Worth, we're pulling into a gas station and our axle breaks and starts a fire. Not only was it a couple of days after a hurricane, gas prices went up a dollar, and everyone was already on the edge!! To make this a short part the story the cops were called on us and we were put on our way! Hehe
We finally arrived at The East Texas State Fair an thankfully they understood why we were late. Within a few minutes we were all set up and ready to roll. Other than that all I can remember was there was a girl walking around a 1,500lbs Bull around in flip flops. Let me say it again flip flops! I can still remember, It was show day I was dressed in a little pink sleeveless show shirt I had worn all summer long. To this day it's still in the back of my closet. My sister has worn it several times. I can remember being nervous and a little scared. Who wouldn't I was 65lbs. of pure sweetness and she was pure 1200lbs of heifer. When it was time for my class I went in and won! I was so happy!! My mom and dad were excited as well.
It came down for the Limousin Champion drive and I was leading! I led my heifer in like she was a pure Champion because She was of Course! I got her set and after a few minutes of going back in forth it was time for the Judge's selection. He announced his Champion and it wasn't me. I didn't give up and that might have been because I couldn't see over my heifer. As the 2nd place came in for the Champion drive I just kept smiling hoping he would pick me! After he talked about the 2nd place he came right towards me got down on one knee and took off his hat I was his Reserve Champion!!!!! I came out of that ring with so much excitement! My dad was even started tearing up. I can still remember those words I said. "Daddy I thought people don't remember Reserve Champion's" and his told me "they do when it's their first year".
My two Limousin heifers are now cows living on Hardegree Farm. Princess has had 5 Heifers. This past year she had the best heifer she has ever raised and I got the opportunity to keep her as a replacement heifer. Her name Sunday Rose. Penelope has had 5 bull calves. You can see my sweet heifers as I still call them, every morning at sunrise in the front field. They water at noon and evening break. They still come and say hi for a treat or two. Princess the picky one still prefers her hand full of creep feed and well Penelope likes her Cake handed to her personally. You see, a girls first heifers will forever be hers. They will forever be the smile on my face.
In Honor of Rosemaire and Palestina. I love them with all of my heart! <3
