As tribe resumes big events, return to 4-H show ring is welcomed by all • The Seminole Tribune

Arlo Jackson, left, and Ailynn Tommie-Smith chat while holding their animals during the Seminole Tribe 4-H Livestock Show & Sale on March 9, 2022, at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena in Brighton. (Photo Beverly Bidney)

BRIGHTON — After two years without an in-person livestock show, 4-H’ers tribalwide were proud to show their animals at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena in Brighton.

The Seminole Tribe 4-H Livestock Show & Sale from March 9 to March 11 was more like a celebration as family and friends filled the arena to support the youngsters. The attendees also saw the results of the kids’ efforts raising animals from as tiny as a hamster to a 1,335-pound steer.

“The kids were happy and being the first big thing at the tribe in two years, there was a really good turnout,” said Kimberly Clement, 4-H special projects coordinator. “I have no words for the excitement that was there. It was the biggest crowd in memory with well over 200 people.”

The kids showed 66 animals over two nights.The breakdown was 26 pigs, 27 steers and 13 heifers. Pee wees, ages 5-7, showed 17 small animals including a hamster, guinea pig, rabbits, goats and calves.

**Members of the pee wee club say the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the Seminole 4-H show March 9, 2022, at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena in Brighton.**

Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola Jr. came to the show March 9 to enjoy the festivities and support the kids, including some family members. He remarked on the tribe opening up and getting back together again.

“People have been waiting for this,” Chairman Osceola said. “I love to see people fellowshipping together. As a tribe, we are all family. It’s good to see each other again, but it was heartbreaking not to see family for two years.”

Chairman Osceola explained the process of reopening the tribe Feb. 28. As the numbers of new Covid-19 cases continued to decrease, the data indicated it was safe to open since the tribe had less than a two percent infection rate. He said they wanted to err on the side of caution to make sure everybody could be safe.

“Unfortunately, we lost a lot of good people through it,” Chairman Osceola said. “We won’t forget them; we will remember what we learned from them so their legacy will live on.”

JB Anderson has been raising pigs in 4-H for five years and said this year was pretty easy for him. He likes to be in the show ring so people could see how hard he worked. Anderson showed a 283-pound hog and came in third in his category.

From left, Zechariah Tigertail, Daryn Tommie-James and Ariel Concepcion try to get their pigs to walk around the ring without creating a traffic jam at the Seminole 4-H show March 9, 2022, at Fred Smith Rodeo Arena in Brighton. (Photo Beverly Bidney)

“He worked well and didn’t give me much of a struggle,” said Anderson, 13. “Experience helped. It really takes dedication to do this; you can’t just want to do it one week and quit the next week.”

The March 9 show featured pee wees and pigs, but started with an adult hog calling contest opened by Chairman Osceola.

Before the sale on March 11, adults had the opportunity to demonstrate their showmanship skills. About 20 adults showed animals belonging to their kids or friends’ kids.

“We want to add more fun things little by little and make it more like a country fair,” Clement said. “Alumni came back to show their kids’ animals. The parents came to compete, everyone had fun. Some said they want to come back and help build the 4-H program.”

The winners at the Seminole 4-H Livestock Show & Sale were:

Grand Champion Commercial Heifer: KaShyra Urbina
Reserve Champion Commercial Heifer: Jaleigh Braswell
Grand Champion Commercial Bred Heifer: Karma Koenes
Reserve Champion Commercial Bred Heifer: Anna Tigertail
Grand Champion Commercial Cow/Calf: Halley Ballentine
Reserve Grand Champion Commercial Cow/Calf: Kulipa Julian
Grand Champion Registered SVF Heifer: Jaleigh Braswell
Grand Champion Registered SVF Cow/Calf: Khoal Cochran
Heifer Champion Junior Showmanship: Karma Koenes
Heifer Champion Intermediate Showmanship: KaShyra Urbina
Heifer Champion Senior Showmanship: Karlyne Urbina
Grand Champion Steer: Brace Miller
Reserve Champion Steer: Paizlee Miller
Steer Champion Junior Showmanship: Sue Forbes-Osceola
Steer Champion Intermediate Showmanship: Paizlee Miller
Steer Champion Senior Showmanship: Summer Gopher
Grand Champion Swine: Ada Bruised Head
Reserve Grand Champion Swine: Jaleigh Braswell
Swine Champion Junior Showmanship: Ada Bruised Head
Swine Champion Intermediate Showmanship: Jaleigh Braswell
Swine Champion Senior Showmanship: Tadan Santiago