JUNIOR MEMBER JUNIOR MEMBER SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT KKailen ailen SMERCHECK SMERCHECK

What breed of sheep do you currently show and why?

I primarily show Southdowns, which is the breed I am partial to, but I did grow up also spending quite a bit of time in the wether ring and with the occasional commercial ewe Southdowns were something my family started with from square one and our flock grew just as the breed was growing in popularity, so they just have a soft spot in our family. I had my first Southdown when I was probably six years old and they are just a fun, competitive breed to be apart of!

What is your favorite breed of showing/raising sheep? What's your least?

By far my favorite thing about raising/showing sheep is the community. Yes, we’re competitive and all of us a bit obsessed with sheep but on the whole, I have met some pretty amazing people in the sheep industry Cliché answer I know but, on top of that most of my favorite memories with my family have revolved around sheep from working in the barn to in the ring. You can’t beat those trips sitting three deep in the back of the truck with your two siblings while everyone is running on very little sleep. Hard to pick a least favorite part because even the 2am night checks in the middle of winter have a positive side!

What is your favorite show and why?

By far my favorite thing about raising/showing sheep is the community Yes, we’re competitive and all of us a bit obsessed with sheep but on the whole, I have met some pretty amazing people in the sheep industry Cliché answer I know but, on top of that most of my favorite memories with my family have revolved around sheep from working in the barn to in the ring You can’t beat those trips sitting three deep in the back of the truck with your two siblings while everyone is running on very little sleep Hard to pick a least favorite part because even the 2am night checks in the middle of winter have a positive side!

If you could pick any other breed to show what would it be and why?

This is a tough question because I am pretty bias about my Southdowns, but if I had to pick another breed right now I think it would be Babydoll Southdowns just to try something different and because they’re pretty cute.

What advice would you give to younger members?

I think my biggest piece of advice is to not take your time for granted! I was the youngest in my family so it always seemed like I had so much time and all of a sudden I was too old to show at state fair, and now I have one more year as a junior exhibitor nationally Time just slipped away and I wish I would have appreciated it more So, enjoy every show, every long car ride with your family, every crockpot meal, every early morning. Take it all in while you can!