• Young Jacob follows in his brother, Robert’s, footsteps.

Jacob Choma, son of Bob and Lisa Choma of Etna, earned the 2023 Overall Grand Champion Swine ribbon and buckle for his Junior Fed Market Swine at the Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) in Billings, Montana that ran October 13-21. Thousands of livestock enthusiasts from throughout the U.S. and Canada attend and show their animals at this livestock show and rodeo each year, which places Jacob among the grandest of Grand Champions.

With his Hampshire Cross Gilt named Lottery Ticket, the fourteen-year-old 4-H member followed a long-standing family tradition of livestock champions. His older brother, Robert, brought home champion ribbons from the 2018 NILE, and Jacob has dreamed of following in Robert’s footsteps.

“It was a whole bunch of fun to recreate what my brother did,” Jacob told SVI Media in an interview Monday. “I was very nervous going in because I thought that I might not win and that my pig might not cooperate. I had prepared by working with my pig to get her ready.”

Jacob had shown Lottery Ticket in several other shows leading up to the NILE, which gave the two of them plenty of practice. The pair showed at the Lincoln County Fair and the Wyoming State Fair. At the LCF, Jacob took home the Grand Champion Overall Ribbon and was named Showmanship Grand Champion Overall. At the state fair, Jacob placed fourth in the Market Swine Class and emerged third overall in Showmanship. In the Jackpot at the state fair, Jacob earned the ribbon for Grand Champion Overall Gilt Swine and Reserved Champion Overall in Swine.

Jacob’s nearly 12-year-old younger sister, Amber, also competed at the NILE, showing her pig, Wendy, where she placed fifth in her class. “It helped me to learn what to do, because even though I got fifth place in my class, it helped me to know that I can do better,” she shared. “If I keep working at it, some day, I can achieve what Jacob achieved.” Her peers who might be interested in competing at the NILE would do well to listen to her well-earned wisdom. “Be ready to have a lot of competition! There are really good pigs that are brought from all across the U.S.”

In addition to the Choma family, three other 4-H members from Star Valley attended and showed at the 2023 NILE. Bridger Wolfley, son of Mitch and Cheyanne Wolfley, emerged in fifth place for his white face ewe lamb in his market weight class. “The competition at shows that big is mind blowing,” Bridger told SVI Media. “When youth from across the country come with stock that’s built to win, it’s intimidating. But being able to even place in my class was a huge accomplishment for me. It’s something I hope I can earn again in the future and maybe even build up to bigger and better earnings.”

Oakley Hepworth, daughter of Tyson and Stephanie Hepworth, also competed with her steer, Goose, at the NILE. A freshman, this is Oakley’s second year showing in Billings. “It was kind of nerve-racking. If you win the NILE, it’s a very big deal! Being able to be exposed to that big of a show was a good experience for me and I’ll be able to go back and be more prepared.” Oakley showed Goose at the LCF in August, and he was sold to Advantage Plus Credit Union during the livestock auction. She is very grateful to the credit union for allowing her to continue showing him through the fall.

Anna Olenslager, a graduate of Star Valley High School, is the daughter of Jennie Olenslager, and she went to help a friend from Idaho show his steers. “There were hundreds of kids and cows there,” exclaimed Anna. “They were from all over – Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, Oklahoma. The work does pay off and it is fun if you make it fun, so make it fun.” Jennie offered congratulations to Jacob. “Those kids worked hard, taking their own animals, and then to win it, that’s a big deal!”

Jacob is grateful to all the friends and family that have supported him in his livestock experience this season. He is especially grateful to his brother, Robert, for his individualized coaching. Marti Halverson purchased Lottery Ticket at the LCF Livestock Auction and has supported Jacob by allowing him to show her throughout the fall.

Bob Choma acknowledged that livestock showing is a lot of hard work. “It’s a lot of hours, a lot of determination. It just builds these kids to be our next leaders. It teaches them a lot of life skills that are quite invaluable, but it’s nothing that happens by itself. We definitely realize that!”