2024 WSF Champion of Champions crowned

Douglas – Stormy skies and a sprinkling of rain didn’t deter a large crowd from gathering around the Sheep Show Ring at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds on Aug. 13 for the 2024 Champion of Champions Showcase, where the grand champions from each of Wyoming’s 23 county fairs competed against each other for prestigious honors. 

Although the showcase has been held annually for decades, the Wyoming State Fair (WSF) Board revamped the show during last year’s state fair to make it a standout, stand-alone event.

This year, American Boer Goat Association National Show Judge Justin Burns sorted through some of the best livestock Wyoming has to offer, crowning four elite champions in their respective species. 

Hailing from Eastland, Texas, Burns owns and operates J and J Livestock with his wife Jennifer and their two children, managing a herd of nearly 200 does and 100 show-type sheep. 

Burns earned a Bachelor of Science at Sacramento State University and has judged market and breeding shows in 27 different states.

During the WSF Champion of Champions Steer Show, Burns gave Sweetwater County’s Stetson Rothlisberger the grand champion slap, then honored Sheridan County’s Jhett West as the reserve champion with is steer Uso. 

In the goat show, Campbell County’s Korbin Styver was crowned Champion of Champions with his goat Ferguson, and Madison Bernard of Sweetwater County exhibited the reserve champion goat, named Eggie. 

The champion lamb, known as Earl, was shown by Tehya Thompson of Laramie County, and Baylie Booth of Goshen County received honors with the reserve champion lamb named 21 Savage. 

To round out the showcase, Jacob Tillman of Lincoln County received the grand champion handshake in the hog show, and West was honored once again with the reserve champion hog known as Higgins.

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.