Add another award to Logan Kennedy’s trophy case, as his steer won 2010 Reserve Grand Champion Steer at Ozark Empire (Springfield) Gold Buckle Gala, recently.
“I was happy when I was reserve,” said Kennedy. “Of course, you know, everybody wants to be first. But I was probably happier the first time I was reserve up there. Of course, I was probably only 10. It is still a good accomplishment. We put a lot of hard work into them.”
Kennedy competed against 50 to 60 people during the fair.
“There was a lot of nerves and tension going on,” he said. “Then after the show, it was more relaxing. I was second overall. You get pretty good bragging rights and you get to be in the sale. It is a good accomplishment, I think.”
The steer brought in $5,000. Kennedy said he would use the money for food and next year’s animals.
When asked how close he was to getting grand champion, he said it was a toss up.
“The way the judge talked, we were pretty close,” Kennedy said. “It was kind of a flip of the coin, we could have been in either spot. We got beat by a good steer, so we can’t complain.”
The grand champion was from Nevada, Mo.
Kennedy – a recent graduate of East Newton High School – has been showing in fairs since the age of 8. He is in FFA and 4-H. He has shown cattle, hogs and chickens at many of the area fairs, including at Newton and McDonald county.
During this year’s Newton County Fair, he won grand champion steer. He also participated in the McDonald County Fair, where he won champion heifer.
“We did pretty good this year (referring to him and his sister, Kendra, who also showed animals),” Kennedy said.
Kennedy is getting ready to embark on the next chapter of his life – college.
He will be attending Ft. Scott Community College.
