HOUSTON – On July 23-28, the American Junior Brahman Association (AJBA) held the 33rd Annual “All American” National Junior Brahman show at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee, Oklahoma. More than 150 exhibitors from seven states brought Brahman bulls and females to compete in owned and bred and owned cattle divisions as well as to participate in a variety of leadership contests. This event was hosted by the Oklahoma Junior Brahman Association, which did an exceptional job in making this event a success.
Judge Brett Barber of Dumas, Texas sorted through more than 450 head of Brahmans July 27 and 28. He selected Adrian Land II of Branford, Florida for top honors in the owned bull classes, winning Grand Champion Grey Brahman Bull with his entry, JDH Mr. Manso 638. His counterpart, the Grand Champion Red Brahman Bull was M’Lee Ivy’s entry, Mr. H Hampton Rojo 201/1, which traveled to compete in Shawnee from Soso, Mississippi.
The female show was just as impressive, with Austin Gonzalez’s Miss V8 474/7 “Legacy” earning the honor of Grand Champion Grey Brahman Female. The Grand Champion Red Brahman Female, Lady H Flavia Manso 179/0 was exhibited by Amie Ferguson of Roanoke, Louisiana.
A unique aspect of the American Junior Brahman Association’s (AJBA) National Junior Show is the opportunity for youth to breed, raise and show their own cattle. Judged by Paul Maulsby of College Station, Texas, the Bred and Owned division of this annual show is one of the most coveted honors.
Awarded Grand Champion Grey Bred and Owned Bull was Jacob Vallenta’s JMV Leroy Manso 52/1 from Alleyton, Texas. Bar L Red Solo 70 owned by Allie Carriere of Port Barre, Louisiana acquired the title of Grand Champion Red Bred and Owned Bull. Bred and Owned female champions were Miss CBR Viva 491/0 owned by Haley Herzog of Robinson, Texas from the grey division and Miss Double A 695/0 owned by Evan Acevedo of Mission, Texas in the red division.
This all-around youth competition not only gives junior members the opportunity to raise and show cattle, but it also allows them to demonstrate their skills in other realms to acquire points towards the top honor of All Around Individual. Included in these events are a showmanship contest, public speaking contest, poster and photography contests and a herdsman quiz. Nine-year-old Savannah Allen of Sulphur Springs, Texas took home this year’s top honor of All Around Individual, garnering points in the cattle show as well as each of the other leadership contests.
In conjunction with the other activities the AJBA also holds its Annual Membership Meeting conducting the business of the organization and electing the leadership for the coming year. Andrew Simon of Baton Rouge, Louisiana was selected to lead the AJBA for the coming year with Haley Herzog of Robinson, Texas being named the Vice President, Arica Land of Branford, Florida elected as secretary, Jessica Smith of Maringouin, Louisiana named treasurer and Jacob Valenta of Alleyton, Texas to hold the position of AJBA reporter.
The American Junior Brahman Association (AJBA) in the youth organization of the American Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA). For more information about AJBA events, the ABBA or Brahman cattle, visit Brahman.org.
