THOMASVILLE- Thomas County Junior Livestock Association member Jaleigh Hurst had a spectacular weekend at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, bringing home two belt buckles for 7th Grade Showmanship and Master FFA champion. 

According to Hurst, in order to win her overall showmanship award for the Master FFA Champion, she had to make sure her cow’s feet were set up correctly, keep eye contact with the judges and be aligned with all other participants. 

Being named Master FFA Champion was no small feat, as Hurst said she was competing against hundreds of other FFA members. 

“I was shocked, because there’s only 6-12th grades in the Master FFA contest,” she said. “It’s the winners from all the grades, so most of the time a 12th grader wins, because they have the most experience.” 

However, Hurst said she still wanted to try her best, hoping something may come of it. 

According to the Thomas County Junior Livestock Association, one of the judges said he had never considered such a young showman for Master Showman honors before, but Hurst was the one to be beat. 

In order to prepare for the event, Hurst said she practices and spends time with her heifer, Peaches at her family farm. 

“I go up there every day and wash them, dry them, sheen them,” she said. “It’s an everyday thing, you have to train them to get them prepared for the ring.” 

Hurst explained Peaches was bred from one of her former heifers and was raised and trained specifically for showmanship. 

Peaches and Hurst worked hand in hoof over the weekend, where Hurst acquired one of the most coveted belt buckles. 

“For 7th grade, I got a clock tower belt buckle,” Hurst said. “That’s one of the most valuable ones to win, because it’s really hard to win.” 

Hurst said kids come from all over the state to compete in their grade level, but there are only two opportunities to win. Students can win at the fair in October or during state in February, but only one buckle is given per grade level. 

“I won that buckle for 7th grade, and then I won a Supreme FFA buckle for Master Champion,” Hurst said. 

These two buckles bring Hurst’s grand total to 39 belt buckles, which is key to achieving her long-term goal of 50 belt buckles by the end of her middle school year and 100 by the time she graduates. 

Hurst will have an opportunity to win another buckle this upcoming weekend at the Thomas County Junior Livestock Association Livestock Show, prior to the sale on Monday. 

Monday, Hurst will get a new heifer or steer to begin training, which she hopes to have competing by May. 

Hurst’s mother, Chasity, said she was very proud of her daughter and looks forward to seeing her continue to compete.