8 minute read
Never Give Up
Never Give Up Never Give Up
2021 Illinois State Fair Grand Champion Steer winner, Landrey Freeman, says the key to success is to give it your all no matter what.
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by Betty Haynes
Landrey Freeman, a senior at Winchester High School, was awarded Grand Champion at this year’s Illinois State Fair with her Simmental steer. Showing cattle tops Landrey’s list of hobbies – and it’s certainly a hobby that has paid off.
A Family Affair
The Freemans can best be described as a kind, humble and hard-working family. Parents, Nick and Jessica Freeman, exposed their children to stock shows at a young age and worked to instill the right values and morals in their children.
Landrey credits a portion of her success to the help of her brother, Brayden. Brayden first encouraged Landrey to step into the showring once he had gone to college.
“Landrey has always been there and always watched how Brayden did things,” says Jessica. “As he got older and when he went to college, she decided to give it a try. He gave her the halter and she just she just ran with it. She was a natural.”
The two have worked closely this year splitting responsibilities to ensure their steer was show-ready. On show day, Brayden clips and fits each animal and Landrey shows. This was Landrey’s first year showing at the Illinois Illinois State Fair.
“I couldn’t have done this by myself,” Landrey explains. “Brayden has been a big part of it. I take a lot of his advice and I know that he helps me a lot.”
Brayden had taken an interest in cattle at a young age. Jessica recalls that his first toys were plastic cows and as soon as he was able, he had his own bucket calf. Brayden was actively involved in the livestock judging team at Lincoln Land Community College. This school year, he will start at Iowa State University.
“I’ve done this long enough to know you have to learn from your mistakes,” Brayden recollects. “We have both learned from the mistakes I’ve made in past projects. Getting to watch Landrey appreciate showing cattle has meant so much to me.”
To the Freemans, it’s the families that make the stock show industry so great.
“Showing cattle is pretty incredible,” explains Jessica. “There are some truly great families in this industry. Everyone supports one another.”
Jessica credits showing cattle to helping mold her children into who they are today and pointing them in the right direction.
“We have met so many great people,” says Landrey. “We’ve met lifelong friends showing cattle. We’re all just a family.”
Bob the Steer
Landrey named her champion steer, Bob, stating that “it just fits his personality”. Bob is no ordinary steer. He loves ice cream, goldfish crackers and playing in the pasture.
“He has always been special to us, but we didn’t realize he was this special until I stepped into the coliseum,” Landrey
recalls with a smile. “He’s just the most playful cow.”
Bob was spotted trying to eat the flowers on stage at the Governor’s Sale of Champions. He undoubtedly captured the hearts of all in attendance with his docile, puppy dog-like demeanor.
“He genuinely loves people,” Landrey continues. “He’s been loving all the attention from fairgoers. It’s so cute watching him see everything and interact. When kids walk by his pen, he tries to stick his tongue through the gate.”
The Underdogs
When Brayden was just seven-years-old, Jessica remembers him watching the champion drive with excitement and telling her that someday he would win the steer show.
“I thought it was just a pipe dream,” recalls Jessica. “At the time, I didn’t think there was any way that was ever possible.” Jessica explained to Brayden that if he set his mind to it, he could achieve anything.
“That has been 13 years ago,” says Jessica. “When we won, I put my hand on his face and said ‘Buddy, we did it’.”
The Freeman’s win is a true livestock Cinderella story. It has been over 16 years since anything but a crossbred steer has been awarded Illinois State Fair Grand Champion Steer.
“No one would have expected this coming in,” says Brayden. “We were the underdogs so it makes us appreciate our work so much more.”
Those in attendance could feel the pride and excitement of the Freeman family in that moment. Their energy was contagious as friends and family gathered around Landrey to congratulate her.
“It was incredible to watch my daughter win,” explains Jessica with a tear in her eye. “I never in a million years thought that it would be us, I really didn’t. Words can’t even describe how I felt in that moment.”
Reflecting on the experience, Landrey and Brayden both have advice for future showman.
“You have to give it your all,” describes Landrey. “Every minute you spend with your steer is important. Every small detail matters in the end. We’ve worked really hard and had Bob on a strict schedule.”
“Never give up on yourself,” Brayden adds. “There have definitely been times when I thought Bob should have placed higher. Never get discouraged by your competition because really placings are just one person’s opinion.”
The Future
At the Governor’s Sale of Champions, Landrey and Bob set a record bid at a whopping $105,000, purchased by First Lady, M.K. Pritzker. Governor J.B. and First Lady M.K. Pritzker were in a bidding war to see who would end up with Bob.
Landrey will receive half of the money, with the remaining to be divided between 4-H, FFA, Reserve Grand Champion and other breed champions. Landrey plans to use her winnings towards college expenses when she graduates.
Landrey and Brayden agree that 2021 is their final year in the show ring. They want to end on a high note and shift their efforts to their education and to helping others make their way to the champion drive. www.illinoisbeef.com
Nick & Jessica after Landrey was awarded Grand Champion
Brayden & Jessica after Landrey was awarded Grand Champion
Landrey & Brayden after Landrey was awarded Grand Champion
SHOW RESULTS
2021 Illinois State Fair Junior Steer Show
Springfield | August 14 | Kevin Jensen, Kan.
Photos by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston
Grand Champion Steer
Champion Simmental
Shown by Landrey Freeman
Reserve Grand Champion Steer
Champion Crossbred
Shown by Nalaney Guyer
3rd Overall Steer
Reserve Champion Crossbred Shown by Kashen Ellerbrock
5th Overall Steer & Champion Land of Lincoln
Champion Angus Shown by Cole Caldwell
3rd Overall Land of Lincoln
STEERS
4th Overall Steer
Reserve Champion Simmental Shown by Colton Baudino
Reserve Champion Land of Lincoln
Champion Hereford Shown by Noland Lukach
4th Overall Land of Lincoln
SHOW RESULTS
2021 Illinois State Fair Junior Steer Show
Springfield | August 14 | Kevin Jensen, Kan.
Photos by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston
5th Overall Land of Lincoln
Reserve Champion Angus Shown by Bode Martin Other Winners: Reserve Champion Shorthorn, Kaolin Lewis; Champion AOB, Casen Huls, Reserve Champion AOB, Alex Barnard; Division 1 Champion Crossbred, Morgan Huls; Reserve Division 1 Champion Crossbred, Jeron Johnson; Division 2 Champion Crossbred, Sydney Wisnefski; Divsion 2 Reserve Champion Crossbred, Drake Fletcher
STEERS
2021 Illinois Governor’s Sale of Champions
Springfield | August 17
Photos by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston
To show our support of tomorrow’s beef leaders, IBA presented additional award money to both Landrey and Nalaney.
Grand Champion Steer
Shown by Landrey Freeman Also pictured: the Freeman family, Governor J.B. and First Lady M.K. Pritzker, IBA President Dr. Paul Walker, IBA Vice President Dave Duzan and Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Kelsi Kessler
Reserve Grand Champion Steer
Shown by Nalaney Guyer Also pictured: Governor J.B. and First Lady M.K. Pritzker, Ashtin Guyer and IBA President Dr. Paul Walker
Abby
Abby
