As tribe resumes big events, return to 4-H show ring is welcomed by all Community by Beverly Bidney - April 5, 2022September 19, 2024 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 UrbinaReserve Champion Commercial Heifer: Jaleigh BraswellGrand Champion Commercial Bred Heifer: Karma KoenesReserve Champion Commercial Bred Heifer: Anna TigertailGrand Champion Commercial Cow/Calf: Halley BallentineReserve Grand Champion Commercial Cow/Calf: Kulipa JulianGrand Champion Registered SVF Heifer: Jaleigh BraswellGrand Champion Registered SVF Cow/Calf: Khoal CochranHeifer Champion Junior Showmanship: Karma KoenesHeifer Champion Intermediate Showmanship: KaShyra UrbinaHeifer Champion Senior Showmanship: Karlyne UrbinaGrand Champion Steer: Brace MillerReserve Champion Steer: Paizlee MillerSteer Champion Junior Showmanship: Sue Forbes-OsceolaSteer Champion Intermediate Showmanship: Paizlee MillerSteer Champion Senior Showmanship: Summer GopherGrand Champion Swine: Ada Bruised HeadReserve Grand Champion Swine: Jaleigh BraswellSwine Champion Junior Showmanship: Ada Bruised HeadSwine Champion Intermediate Showmanship: Jaleigh BraswellSwine Champion Senior Showmanship: Tadan Santiago Adult Showmanship:Swine:Champion: Ayana Tommie2nd Place: Ayzee Henry3rd Place: Ko’ Oshee Henry Cattle:Champion: Trina Hipp2nd Place: Jodi Clay3rd Place: Clarissa Urbina Trina Hipp sings “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Seminole 4-H show on March 9, 2022, at Fred Smith Rodeo Arena in Brighton. (Photo Beverly Bidney) KD Coleman, left, and Lillie Coleman meet with the judge during the Seminole 4-H show March 9, 2022, at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena in Brighton. (Photo Beverly Bidney) Pee wee Jaynaleigh Bert cuddles with her rabbit before the Seminole 4-H show March 9, 2022, at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena in Brighton. (Photo Beverly Bidney) Hannah Johns-Platt whistles as she moves her 245-pound pig around the show ring at the Seminole 4-H show March 9, 2022, at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena. (Photo Beverly Bidney) A 4-H sign at the 4-H show March 9, 2022, in Brighton. (Photo Beverly Bidney) Share on Facebook Share Share on TwitterTweet Share on Pinterest Share Share on LinkedIn Share Share on Digg Share
