06/28/2026
I don’t think there are enough words to describe how blessed we feel after this week.
So much time, effort, and heart went into this set of calves with the hope of making Jessie’s final year as a junior one to remember. We knew they were special, but we never imagined coming home with the success we did.
Fifteen years after starting 3L Gelbvieh in 2011, we’re incredibly honored to bring home the title of Champion Owned Gelbvieh Female with a home-raised heifer out of a home-raised cow. Moments like this remind us why we do what we do, and we’re excited for what this means for the future of our program because our commitment to this breed doesn’t end with our junior careers.
A huge thank you to our outstanding fitters, Graden Forbes and Conner Hogan, for all of the hard work you put into every calf on both show days. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Thank you as well to Benny and Sarah McWilliams for spending the week with us. The extra trailer, extra hands, and even better company made the week that much more enjoyable. We loved having you and the girls along!
To everyone who stopped by to lend a hand, cheer us on, or simply visit throughout the week, thank you. Your support means more than you’ll ever know.
This Junior Nationals also marked Isabel’s final year serving on the AGJA Junior Board. After four incredible years, it was time to retire from a position that has given her countless opportunities to grow as a leader while bringing new ideas and experiences back to improve both our operation and our breed.
Thank you to the advisors, staff, and fellow Junior Board members who make this event possible every year. And a very special thank you to Martha Moenning for organizing an incredible Junior Nationals and making Isabel’s final year on the board such an enjoyable one.
This week was also Jessie’s final Junior Nationals as a junior exhibitor, and what an unforgettable way to finish. Jessie left it all in the ring and in every contest, earning numerous championships and awards, including Champion Senior Showman, Champion Senior Judging Team, and finishing 5th Overall All-Around Senior Individual. We couldn’t be more proud.
Highlights from the week:
Show Ring
• Champion Owned Gelbvieh Female
• Champion B&O Gelbvieh Female
• Reserve Champion B&O Gelbvieh Female
• 4th Overall B&O Gelbvieh Female
• Champion B&O Gelbvieh Cow/Calf Pair
• Champion B&O Balancer Senior Bull Calf
• Champion B&O Gelbvieh Winter Yearling Heifer
• Champion Owned Gelbvieh Winter Yearling Heifer
• Champion B&O Gelbvieh Spring Yearling Heifer
• Reserve Champion B&O Gelbvieh Junior Heifer Calf
• Reserve Champion Owned Gelbvieh Junior Heifer Calf
Contests
• Champion Senior Team Fitting
• Champion Senior Showman
• Reserve Champion Senior Judging Team
• 10th High Individual Senior Judging
• Reserve Senior Graphic Design
• Reserve Senior Creative Writing
• 3rd Senior Video Contest
• 3rd Senior Sales Talk
• 3rd Senior Prepared Speaking
• 4th Senior Poster Contest
• 5th Senior Ag Podcast
• 9th Senior Skill-A-Thon
• Toney Hayek Award
• Sold 100+ Raffle Tickets
• 5th Overall All-Around Senior Individual
Thank you, Junior Nationals, for the memories, friendships, and opportunities that have shaped our family over the years. Here’s to the next chapter for 3L Gelbvieh!
