Kelsey Draehn, a Washington County 4-H member, from Brenham, Texas, has been showing and competing in Dairy Livestock Judging for the past four years.
Kelsey has had much success in her judging endeavors thus far. At age 12, she has judged in many major shows in the springtime, as well as at the State Fair of Texas® this fall. Kelsey has been featured on American Dairy Show that airs on RFD-TV twice, and will appear in the Brahman Journal next month showing her dairy cow.
“I have two dairy cows of my own, I love to show and compete in judging but my favorite dairy event is showmanship,” said Kelsey.
Kelsey has won the calf scramble and showmanship at several major shows in the past, which secured her a certificate to purchase her following years’ dairy heifer.
Along with judging and showing dairy cows, Kelsey competes in barrel racing and has a love for horses and all things equine. Kelsey said, “I raise horses along with my dairy cows. I love to run barrels and rope goats for fun.”
The dairy judging contest, on October 11, at the State Fair of Texas was comprised of six classes, with four animals each. Each contestant had 12 minutes to observe the class and fill out their placing cards. Then, there were two questions classes, with five questions each. Following the questions the contestants had five minutes to study notes and ten minutes to answer questions.
Southwest Dairy Museum, Dairy MAX, and Alliance Bank and City National Bank of Sulphur Springs, are all providing $1,000 certificates for the purchase of a dairy heifer to the highest scoring competitor.
Kelsey won the highest scoring competitor at her county livestock show last month and hoped to be a high scoring competitor in the 4-H/FFA Dairy Judging at the State Fair.
Agriculture and 4-H play a large role in Kelsey’s life as well as in her families. Kelsey said that 4-H has helped to shape her childhood and her love for animals into what it is today.