Name: Jennifer Ann Smith

Age: 20

Home State: Texas

Species and Breeds Shown: Cattle-  Mainly Angus.  A Brahman, a few Shorthorns, a Hereford or two, and a few crossbreds along the way.

Favorite Breed: Angus
Why?  Angus cattle have been good to my family.  They are where my heart has always been.  The American Angus Association and the National Junior Angus Association gives their members a world of opportunity.  There is not a better group of people to associate with.

Favorite Stock Show: Ft. Worth Stock Show and the National Western
Why? Ft. Worth will always hold a special place in my heart due to friendships made and a few special winnings I have experienced while exhibiting cattle there.  The feeling I remember after Jim Williams slapped my Angus heifer “Franny” champion is unforgettable.  The National Western holds a great deal of tradition and heritage to any cattleman.  The yards take you back to a vintage “old west” mindset.

Favorite Judge: Alan Miller—IL (Denver and Ft. Worth); Matt Leo-- CA, Terri Barber-- TX, and Ryan Cotton-- OK (San Antonio)
Why? Alan Miller and I see cattle very much the same.  He always shows exhibitors a great deal respect and a fair shot anytime you enter the ring. Matt Leo, Terri Barber, and Ryan Cotton were the 3 judges who used me to win the Supreme Champion Heifer at the 2007 San Antonio Junior Heifer Show.  That was an extremely special day for me and my family and will always stick out in my mind.

How old were you when you first started showing? 9

What is your biggest accomplishment in the show ring? Winning showmanship at the 2008 National Junior Angus Show.  

Who is your hero? My dad!

If you could go to lunch with anyone at a stock show, who would it be and why? Christy Collins.  Christy is a successful woman in the industry and always carries herself with a great deal of class.  She is a hard worker and is highly respected among her peers.  I feel she would hold a great deal of insight to the industry and is a great networking tool.

Who is the person who has helped you the most with your show projects? My dad!

On a typical school day, what time do you have to get up in the morning? 6:00 

What is your daily routine you use when working with your project? We feed around 7 AM.  After they finish eating we bring them in from the runs and start rinsing.  They stay under fans and misters all day and are fed in the barn in the evenings.  We turn them out after the sun goes down and it is cool enough.

Favorite tip about showing: No matter how calm you are, it is never calm enough.  Cattle can sense when you are nervous and it makes them even more nervous.  You and your animal are directly linked with the hand on the halter and it is important to remain calm.

What’s your typical show ring attire? Dark blue jeans and a solid light colored shirt.

Do you do anything differently when you’re in showmanship versus when you’re just showing in the show? I try not to.  Sometimes I get more worked up during the actual show and become more nervous. 

If you have a choice, would you rather wash the animals or get them dry? Get them dry.

Besides showing, what are your hobbies? I enjoy reading, staying involved in church activities, working out, and staying involved in activities at Texas A&M!

About how many shows to you get to go to each year? 7-10

What’s the one show supply you just couldn’t live without on show day? A dryer and sheen are always my friend.  A comb is also nice, too.

Do you have any “good luck charms” about showing? I have a particular show stick I like to use.  It has “JAS” engraved on one side and “HBD3” engraved on the other side.  HBD3 stands for Henry Bart Davis III or Trey Davis.

Favorite magazine: Angus Journal

Favorite web site: www.angus.org

If you have two animals that win classes, who would be your #1 choice to help show your other animal in the champion drive (adult or junior)? Kirbe Schnoor

You just won Grand Champion at the biggest show ever. You and your family get a free dinner at any restaurant of your choice. Where would you pick? Any good Italian food restaurant or Steakhouse, depending on what town we are in.