Hinkle hones showing and judging skills
Brody Hinkle of Riverton has been showing livestock through Riverton FFA for the past five years.
The 18-year-old senior at Riverton High School exhibits market and breeding lambs at the Fremont County Fair and the Wyoming State Fair (WSF) every summer, in addition to several regional jackpots.
Brody is also an active livestock judger, which he says has helped him build community and develop an eye for animals which serves him in the show ring and beyond.
Valuable mentors
Although he did not grow up with animals directly, Brody says his family and some key mentors have been influential in his showing career.
Brody is the youngest of three children and the first to be involved in agriculture and FFA. His parents Jim and Amber Hinkle have supported his journey, and his cousin Mandi Weber taught him the basics of showing livestock.
Other important mentors include fellow Riverton native Chase Taylor and Kolby and Micky Burch of Seward, Neb. who have all shared their extensive knowledge of showing and the sheep industry.
“Having a support group offering help and knowledge has always been really useful,” Brody says. “Knowing somebody is around to ask questions and help out all the time is awesome.”
Brody is grateful for the people who have shaped his showing career and takes pride in mentoring the next generation of aspiring showmen.
“The best thing about county fair is seeing all of the younger kids I’ve gotten to work with improving their showmanship and seeing everyone help each other,” Brody says.
“The biggest goal of showing livestock is trying to raise better people, which sometimes gets hidden behind the idea of winning,” he adds. “With the help of good mentors, showing creates one big community and family.”
Selecting for success
Brody first decided to get involved with showing and judging livestock while seeking an alternative to school sports.
“My lack of interest in school-organized sports led me to look for something I could do to still be competitive while learning new skills,” Brody shares. “Showing and judging livestock offered a lot of those qualities I wanted to have.”
Livestock judging has helped Brody sharpen his eye for sheep, and he says the most important factors to consider when selecting a show animal are structural soundness, power and balance.
“Picking out a sheep is almost like every other kind of livestock,” Brody shares. “I focus on how they’re built, whether they’re structurally correct and if they carry enough power and balance.”
“All of those factors together make a complete animal, which will have a better chance of winning,” he adds.
Making memories
Brody’s showing season usually runs from May through December, as he exhibits his lambs at the Fremont County Fair, WSF and a variety of local jackpots.
He always sells one animal at the Fremont County Fair, which he believes is a great opportunity for local youth to thank the surrounding community and to grow.
“I think the sale is a great opportunity for youth in agriculture to get to know the people around them and make connections, as well as to create a good financial standing,” Brody shares.
His favorite jackpot is the Powder Basin Classic in Gillette, and he says many great memories have been made at WSF.
“My favorite part about state fair is getting to be around my out-of-town friends who I don’t get to see often,” Brody shares. “Seeing everybody come together and work towards a common goal is super cool.”
During state fair, Brody explains several families from Fremont County set up camp next to one another and take turns cooking meals throughout the week, which he says is a great way to build community and unwind.
“Being able to hang out with everyone for a whole week and not really focus on anything else except showing is great,” Brody says.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
