The livestock arena at the Webster Parish Fair was filled with determined young exhibitors, impressive animals, and a few stubborn competitors during the 2026 Webster Parish 4-H Junior Livestock Show’s lamb, goat, and beef competitions.
While some animals cooperated beautifully, others seemed determined to go their own way, giving exhibitors an opportunity to demonstrate their patience, persistence, and animal-handling skills. Despite the occasional reluctance to follow directions, the competition provided plenty of entertainment for spectators, and the judge expressed appreciation for the quality of both the animals and their young handlers.
Taylor Rayner was among the evening’s standout competitors, earning numerous honors in the lamb and goat divisions before taking home the prestigious Doug Sale Award.
The award recognizes the Premier Livestock Exhibitor and challenges competitors to demonstrate their versatility by handling livestock species outside their primary divisions. Rather than simply showing the animals they have spent months preparing, participants must adapt their techniques to unfamiliar animals, testing their knowledge, confidence, and showmanship.
In the lamb competition, Rayner was named Champion Lamb Showman, while Hallee Clayton earned Reserve Champion Lamb Showman. Rayner also claimed both Champion Market Lamb and Reserve Champion Market Lamb honors.
Rayner continued her success in the goat competition, earning Champion Market Goat, Champion Commercial Doe, Reserve Champion Commercial Doe, Champion Percentage Doe, Reserve Champion Percentage Doe, and Overall Champion Doe honors.
Paxton Crellin earned Reserve Champion Market Goat, while Skylar Ellis was named Champion Goat Showman. Rayner received Reserve Champion Goat Showman honors.
Other goat exhibitors earning first-place finishes included Sawyer Pitman, Cheslie Darden, and Ellis, who placed first in both of her market goat weight classes.
The beef competition also featured several successful young exhibitors.
Adeline Evans earned Champion Steer honors with her 715-pound steer and was also named Champion Classic Hereford Heifer with her heifer, Scarlet.
Hayden Williams claimed Champion Bull honors with Hitman, while Peyton Williams earned Reserve Champion Bull with Catching Fire with Rouge.
Peyton Williams was named Grand Champion Beef Showman, with Hayden Williams earning Reserve Champion Beef Showman.
In the individual beef showmanship divisions, Hayden Williams placed first among exhibitors ages 16 and older, Peyton Williams placed first in the 13- and 14-year-old division, and Evans took first place among exhibitors ages 9 to 11. Bella McCoy earned second place in the 13- and 14-year-old division.
Throughout the evening, exhibitors guided their animals around the ring, adjusted to unexpected behavior, and demonstrated the skills developed through months of feeding, grooming, training, and caring for their livestock.
The annual livestock show provides Webster Parish youth with an opportunity to put their agricultural knowledge into practice while developing responsibility, sportsmanship, and confidence. For the young exhibitors, the experience extends beyond ribbons and awards, offering lessons in patience and perseverance that can last well beyond the show ring.
