At the 2017 Illinois State Fair, Amelia stood at the entrance of the showring and wished her friend Emerson good luck. They exchanged nervous smiles in anticipation for their final year competing in the junior division of the state fair’s showmanship competition. They had both been here before – last year Amelia won the honors and Emerson was reserve. Neither knew how this year’s competition would turn out, but both were in it to win it.

The girls are both entering their freshman year of high school and have been friends since birth. Born two weeks apart, their bond is thanks to their parents and a mutual love of showing cattle.

“The girls friendship dates back to Theresa and I knowing each other through McLean County 4-H and the state fair. Alan and Theresa lived in Le Roy before they moved back to Alan’s family farm, so we got together often when the girls were little. In fact, Emerson said, ‘Meme’ (for Amelia) before she ever said, ‘Mama’,” Jennifer said. 

Even though the girls don’t see each other often, they seem to be able to pick right up where they left off. There is a bond livestock kids share that is different from other friendships. Jennifer believes that is due to the fact that these friendships are the result of something they are passionate about.

The girls show different breeds, so the only time they go head-to-head in the showring is in showmanship.

“We don’t compete with each other too much outside of showmanship,” Amelia said. “I just always try to remember to do my best and if my friend wins and not me I am happy for them.”

Emerson shared that both her and Amelia learned the spirit of competition from their parents, but also that showing cattle can foster lifelong friendships. They see their parents balance competition and friendship and try to handle their reactions to situations by their parents’ example.

“It’s fun for us to see our parents be friends and recognize that our dads have so many looking at dad for long-time, cattle industry friends. It makes me want that in the future. I’ve been taught growing up that the friends you meet through showing cattle are the friends you’re going to keep. My parents have taught me to savor friendships and enjoy every moment in and out of the showring,” Amelia said.

The girls reflected on the final moments before a winner was picked in their showmanship division. The handshake went to Emerson first and Amelia was then selected as reserve champion. The 2017 competition was flipped from the previous year’s result and both girls were pleased to be recognized for their hard work.

“Amelia and I feel lucky to have been named champion or reserve two years in a row for state fair showmanship. Sharing the experience together is so huge,” Emerson said. “In our own personal way we have gotten upset with each other, but we have a connection and are so grateful for the other person and the honor they deserved. When one person wins and one doesn’t we know that’s how it goes and being competitors is part of what brings us together. Before showmanship, she told me good luck and I just looked at her, smiled and said we are rock stars. Once the competition was over, we gave each other a hug and laughed.”

The outcome of competition says a lot about a person whether you take home the banner or not. 

“We have always set the expectation with our kids that friendship and family are far more important than winning. We encourage our kids to learn from every opportunity win or lose. This is a hard concept for younger kids and honestly, takes practice. But it’s something special when you see a friendship like Emerson and Amelia’s and know that it’s largely thanks to showing cattle,” Jennifer said.