Tried&True

“The showing is great, but it’s the people who make it that much better.”

For sheep showman Callen Minord, community is of the utmost significance in the show barn and in life.

From his baseball teammates, to his high school classmates, to his show friends in the barn, Minord has always enjoyed being part of a team, he said.

“Everyone has a role to play,” Minord said. “When it comes to my show friends, they support me, and I support them. It gives us all a special mutual bond.”

Even when the seasons become increasingly busier with baseball, showing sheep, school, and more, Minord has his favorite team of all to work alongside: his family.

“My family is there for me in every way, and I appreciate all they do,” Minord said. “Getting to learn from them and experience everything by their sides is a lot of fun.

“We have our highs and lows, but I am very grateful because at the end of the day, they make everything fun and I could not do any of it without them” he added, smiling.

When he began showing six years ago, he had his sisters to look up to and his parents to help him out, Minord said. Fast forward to the present day when his schedule is full of athletic practices, school work, planning for higher education and traveling to different livestock shows, and their support is still unwavering, he said.

“Balancing a full schedule can be challenging at times, but it has taught me about proper prioritization and helped me to mature quicker,” Minord said. Additionally, Minord said he’s learned more about self-discipline and hard work; however, the most impactful wisdom he’s gained is learning to be happy for others, Minord added.

“At the end of the day, standing ringside and watching your friend win is just as cool as winning yourself,” Minord said.

Minord said he credits these priceless lessons to his show team because amidst the teasing and fun they have, they always push each other to be better.

This can be most clearly seen on show days, Minord said.

“Whether it be in the ring or out, we push each other, feed off of each other, and just have a great time together,” Minord said. “In between the bustle of show day, I always try to make sure I am helping someone if I am not busy, It’s the basis of our team.”

You learn to be happy for others like you would be for yourself when you have a solid team, Minord said. And there is no show more exciting or eagerly anticipated for Minord and his show friends as the Oklahoma Youth Expo, he said.

“There is nothing like it,” Minord said. “You immediately remember you are part of something bigger than yourself, and you get to experience a year’s worth of work pay off, all while having fun alongside friends and family.”

Looking to the future, Minord hopes to continue serving the community around him by giving back to the younger generation of showmen, he said.

“I want to remind everyone to never forget the memories you make showing or playing sports, whatever it may be, because you will have them forever,” Minord said.

After his graduation from high school in 2024, Minord said he hopes to attend college and get admitted into veterinary school. In the meantime, he plans to continue pursuing extracurricular activities, challenging himself academically in school, and doing his best to chase his big dreams, he said.

All while standing beside the best part of it all: his tried and true community.

– Written by Emile Mittelstaedt