Youth exhibitors shine during Thomas County Fair Beef Show
July 30, 2026
Youth exhibitors demonstrated skill, patience and determination during the Thomas County Fair Beef Show on Thursday, July 30, at the Fair Arena.
The third day of livestock shows began with pleasant weather, although temperatures climbed by the end of the competition. Despite the heat—and the challenge of handling cattle weighing between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds—the exhibitors worked hard to maintain control of their animals and present them at their best.
Emma Eldridge, who also judged the swine show earlier in the week, evaluated the exhibitors and their cattle. Throughout the show, Eldridge worked closely with the participants and offered feedback they could use to improve their showmanship skills.
In senior showmanship, Sophia Stramel earned grand champion honors, followed by reserve champion Kimber Carpenter. Bryer Reid was named the intermediate showmanship grand champion, with Mason Mazanec receiving reserve champion. Brooklyn Reid captured the junior showmanship grand champion title, while Colt Carpenter earned reserve champion.
The Market Beef Show began with the prospect division, in which Jaxon Bear received grand champion.
Class winners included Macklyn Carpenter, grand champion, and Sophia Stramel, reserve champion, in Class 1; Mason Mazanec, grand champion, and Remy Stephens, reserve champion, in Class 2; Hunter Moser, grand champion, and Janessa Leija, reserve champion, in Class 3; Weston Moser, grand champion, and Kenzie Rietcheck, reserve champion, in Class 4; Cort Stramel, grand champion, and Anthony Haag, reserve champion, in Class 5; Cooper Carpenter, grand champion, and Anthony Haag, reserve champion, in Class 6; and Kimber Carpenter, grand champion, and Caylee Cranston, reserve champion, in Class 7.
Hunter Standage showed the grand champion 4-H market yearling bucket calf, while Rees Standage received reserve champion.
Macklyn Carpenter completed the Market Beef Show by earning the overall grand champion market beef title. Kimber Carpenter exhibited the reserve champion market beef.
The Breeding Beef Show featured several age divisions. Emerson Sloan showed the grand champion junior heifer born after Jan. 1, 2026. Jaxon Bear earned grand champion with a junior heifer born between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025.
In another heifer division for animals born between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2025, Bryer Reid received grand champion and Sophia Stramel earned reserve champion. Emerson Sloan also showed the grand champion heifer born between July 1 and December 2024.
Bryer Reid’s entry was selected as the overall grand champion breeding beef, with Sophia Stramel’s entry named reserve champion.
Next was the Bucket Calf Show. Libby Baird earned grand champion honors, and Benjamin Haag received reserve champion. This concluded the competition, but officials ran the Pee-Wee Beef Show which has become a tradition at the Thomas County Fair.
As the kids wrapped up the event, they quickly shifted into preparing for the livestock auction. Where they turn their hardwork into revenue, so that they can start over and purchase new livestock for next year.