2013 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show Champions
By: Ricardo E. Calderon
Eagle Pass Business Journal©
Over 1,000 persons packed the Zan Matthies Show Barn at the Maverick County Lake in Eagle Pass, Texas to witness the competition and selection of the Grand Champion and Reserve Champion winners in each of the animal categories of the 2013 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show and Sale. Everyone in attendance stood on pins and needles as they anxiously watched the competition unfold before their very own eyes. The youth exhibitors perspired with sweat from their adrenaline and the unseasonably warm and balmy weather being enjoyed by Eagle Pass on this 25th day of January.
After a highly competitive judging, Eagle Pass High School senior Rolando Rodriguez”s middle weight champion steer named “Leonides” was pegged by the judge as the 2013 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show Grand Champion Steer amidst loud applause and cheers from the jam packed audience. Not far behind Rolando Rodriguez”s Grand Champion Steer nod was his younger brother, Adrian Rodriguez, whose heavy weight champion steer named “Banner” was picked as the Reserve Champion Steer, giving the Rodriguez siblings a clean sweep of the steer championship.
In the loud and noisy Hog Championship competition, the tall and lanky beautiful Trisha Rodriguez”s hog was selected as the Grand Champion Hog of the 2013 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show while the speedy and multi-sport talented athlete, Keanna Cisneros, hog was tagged as the Reserve Champion Hog.
In the soft and cuddly Lamb Championship category, the Molina family dynasty in this highly competitive category was extended by sweeping both the Grand Champion Lamb with Ernest Molina”s lamb entry and the Reserve Champion Lamb in older brother, Zacarias Molina, lamb entry in the 2013 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show.
In the heady and petulant Goat Championship category, the Carcasi family dominance continued as older brother, Taylor Carcasi, beautiful and lean champion goat specimen received the nod as the Grand Champion Goat of the 2013 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show while the young and talented Samantha Molina’s lovely champion goat entry was picked as the Reserve Champion Goat.
In the ‘Bugs Bunny” Rabbit Championship category, the young and handsome Gunner Purcell ‘s swift-footed champion rabbit was pegged as the Grand Champion Rabbit of the 2013 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show while the beautiful and talented Alma Laura Chapa’s sleek champion rabbit entry was picked as the Reserve Champion Rabbit.
In the tasty and family Meat Pen Rabbit Championship category, the lovely and beautiful Priscilla Farias’ meat pen rabbit entry earned the Grand Champion Meat Pen of the 2013 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show while the handsome and talented Ricardo Rodriguez’s champion meat pen entry received the Reserve Champion Meat Pen honors.
In the highly prestigious Showmanship Awards category, the multi-talented Ernest Molina showcased his showmanship to the top being named the Overall Senior Showmanship Champion, as well as Senior Lamb Showmanship champion, of the 2013 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show. Other Showmanship Champions include David Ramos as the Junior Steer Showmanship, Ashley Negrete as the Junior Hog Showmanship, Zacarias Molina as the Junior Lamb Showmanship, Hayden Carcasi as the Junior Goat Showmanship, Isabela de la Cruz as the Senior Steer Showmanship, Keanna Cisneros as the Senior Hog Showmanship, and Efrain Vela as the Senior Goat Showmanship.
The Food Show Champion was Taylor Carcasi with his delicious biscuits food entry. The Art Show Champion name was uavailable at press time.
The 2013 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show and Sale concludes on Saturday, January 26th, with the highlight of the show-the Sale-beginning at 11;30 a.m. All local and out-of-town businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, and individuals are invited to attend and purchase one or more animals to support the youth of Maverick County.
Prior to the Sale, the traditional Texas Brisket Bar-B-Que Plate Sale will be held from 11 a.m. through 1 p.m. at the Zan Matthies Show Barn Concession Stand at only $7 per plate. Bring the entire family for lunch. The formal dedication of the 2013 edition of the Maverick County Junior Livestock Show and Sale will be held at 11 a.m. at the Show Barn Sales Ring in honor of the late Jesus “Chuy” Sanchez, Past President of the Maverick County Junior Livestock Show Association, who succumbed to a courageous battle against cancer in 2012. The Top Buyers of the 2012 Sale will be recognized at 11:15 a.m.
The 2013 Maverick County Junior Livestock Show and Sale concludes in grand fashion with a fancy traditional Texas Western Dance from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, January 26th, at the City of Eagle Pass International Center for Trade with The Electric Cowboys and Vale Rodriguez providing the musical entertainment. Admission to the Western Dance is only $20 for adults and $10 for students. All events are opened to the public.
