Grand Champion, Jessica Kelly ~ by Shelby Leasure

“Winning is only half of it. Having fun is the other half” ~ Bum Phillips For sixteen year old Jessica Kelly, this quote rings true.

Every year, Jessica Kelly travels to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to compete in the Pennsylvania State Farm Show. There, she shows off her Limousine cattle competing against dozens of other hopefuls from across Pennsylvania and competes in Barrel Racing, a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time.

Traditional cloverleaf pattern used in barrel racing

Jessica was introduced to the “showing life” when she was only an infant. Just eight short years later, she began competing on her own. Over the course of the years, Jessica has shown 80 head of cow and raced with her five beloved horses.

Kelly reflects: “Showing livestock is a lifestyle. This is the place to stand out. Don’t fit in!” She prepares each animal with oil to make their muscles and features stand out. Not afraid to add a little sparkle to either bovine or equine, she also adds a bit of bling with sparkly baubles glued to their already shiny coats and manes.

Among her years at the PA farm show, Jessica has won many awards. These awards consist of two Reserve Grand Champion Awards and two Grand Champion Awards. Once again, this year proved to be a blue-ribbon banner year! 

 

Kelly plans to continue her run of success by bringing prestigious attention to her farm.