Reaching New Heights

Reaching New Heights

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.

Gage (left) and Holden (right) Winters have shown pigs as a duo for several years.

“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.

Gage Winters exhibiting his market barrow at the 2023 OYE.

“When it comes to preparing for shows and performing daily tasks, it’s like a family event for us,” Gage said. “In between seasons or on days we don’t have sports, we will usually both go out to do all of the chores together. We have bonded a lot over pig showing and all of the time we spend together in that realm,” Gage added.

As they prepare for the annual Oklahoma Youth Expo barrow and gilt shows, the family will travel to several different shows where they see friends and family – one of the best parts of showing livestock altogether, both Gage and Holden said.

Though nothing beats the feeling of competing in the ring, both boys greatly enjoy traveling as a family and experiencing all of the fun that comes with it, Holden said.

“Since we started showing several years ago, it has deepened my relationship with my brother and strengthened our bond,” Gage said. “When we go to shows, the big question is always which of us will get to show which pig. I think that though there are times we will each get the better pig, we know we want each other to succeed, and I’m grateful for that,” he added.

That sentiment was on full display during the 2023 Oklahoma Youth Expo Gilt Show when Gage and Holden were in the same Crossbred gilt class. Despite the tough competition, Gage and Holden’s focus was on their pigs and one another, Holden said.

Holden Winters Sales his barrow in the 2023 OYE Sale of Champions.

“I knew he had the better pig, but I still tried to beat him,” Holden laughed. “It was fun getting to help Gage and know he was going to do his best to help me, too.”

Gage said he was grateful for the opportunity because he probably wouldn’t have done as well had it not been for Holden.

The brothers seemingly reached new heights from challenging one another to do their best, as each left OYE with a gilt in the esteemed Night of Stars Gilt Sale and barrows in the famed Sale of Champions.

The greatest takeaway from their experience? The lessons learned and emotions shared amongst their family, Gage said.

“It was awesome feeling proud of how we did because we poured a lot of hours out into those projects,” Gage said. “And doing it all with my brother taught me how to depend on myself and others when I am on a team,” Holden added.

Today, this dynamic duo is still learning together and building upon their playful sibling rivalry inside and outside of the barn. Their goals this year are to find out who the better showman is, Holden said, but more importantly, to continue their beloved family tradition for all the years still to come.

– Written by Emile Mittelstaedt