NW Missouri Times

Community members and students gathered on November 13 at Northwest Missouri State University for Block and Bridle's Little National Western livestock show. The event, held at the Agricultural Learning Center, showcased various animal species, offering participants hands-on learning experiences.

Jerrica Hess, a freshman from Maryville, participated as a novice sheep showman and received the overall novice showmanship award. Despite her unfamiliarity with sheep, Hess remarked, “It’s not winning that really means a lot. I just really enjoy having fun with it.” Her focus was on enjoying the experience with friends rather than competing for accolades.

Students had four weeks to train and prepare their chosen animals—beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, or pigs—for the show. They were classified as either advanced or novice showmen based on their experience levels. Advanced participants were paired with novices to mentor them in livestock showing techniques.

Each species was shown separately by both novice and advanced participants. Winners from each category then competed in a round-robin format judged by Northwest alumna Tess Mittag. Mittag emphasized the value of livestock showing: “This industry teaches hard work, responsibility, along with creating lifelong lessons and relationships.”

The event was primarily organized by students at Northwest Missouri State University. It allowed them to apply skills beyond traditional classroom settings. Cole Hunter, President of Block and Bridle last year, revived the livestock show tradition to promote the organization and provide unique opportunities for students.

Hunter expressed his desire to restore the organization's prominence: “I thought it would be cool to get it back to where it was a thriving organization again.” He highlighted how such events demonstrate the motivation and dedication within the School of Agriculture.

Dr. John Greathouse and Dr. Kaitlin Epperson co-advise Block and Bridle. Epperson shared her enthusiasm for advising due to her own past involvement with similar clubs: “It teaches you skills that are really hard to gain in a traditional classroom setting.”

Andrew Stewart, an agricultural business major from Easton, Kansas, entered as an advanced goat showman. He encouraged more students without agricultural backgrounds to participate: “I think that more people should come do it. Give it a shot.”