Reaching New The Greatest Show | OYE | 2024
Heights 13
For siblings Gage and Holden Winters, 2023 was certainly a record year. Filled with highs and lows, it was also filled with hours upon hours in the show barn. “Every day is pretty much spent going to school, competing in sports, then spending the rest of the time working in the barn,” Gage said, a freshman from Altus, Oklahoma. In perhaps the peak of their show career thus far, the Winters boys said going to shows and contending in the ring is their favorite activity. Given their close age and the intense nature of livestock exhibition, the two brothers spend most of their time together these days, Gage said. “We have definitely come a long way since we started,” he said. “When I was younger, I just wanted a show pig for fun, and now it is my favorite passion,” he added. Gage received his first show pig in second grade after begging his dad as a reward for receiving all A’s on his elementary school report card. From there, it spiraled into a deep love and eventually a friendly competition when his younger brother started to join him in the barn, he said. “It’s a team rivalry and also teamwork,” sixth-grader Holden said. “I will always try to beat him, but of course we still root for each other and help one another out,” he said through a smile. With both boys active in school, sports, 4-H, and FFA, the Winters family is always on the move. As a result of their busy schedules and numerous activities on their calendar, family teamwork is at an all-time high, Gage said. Whether it be an evening before a football game or the night before a show, everything manages to get done through helping one another in whatever ways are needed.
