Hartsfield winning big with heifers

Kaylee Hartsfield and her Heifer, Harmony, take a well-earned break after a long day of showing. (photo provided) [Click to enlarge]

It's been a very active spring for Rector seventh grader Kaylee Hartsfield. The Cougar 4H Club member has been busy competing in a number of shows with her two Red Angus heifers, Harmony and Sunflower, as part of her 4H project.

Hartsfield began the season at the Crowley's Ridge Classic on March 14 and 15 at Paragould where she and Harmony won Grand Champion and she and Sunflower took home Reserve Champion honors. Hartsfield also earned fifth place in Showmanship.

The ride had just begun for the daughter of Gerald and Michelle Hartsfield, as she and her family have taken part in many more events since that time.

On March 21, the family traveled to Imboden for the Izard County Spring Fling. Hartsfield came away with Grand Champion and second place honors in her division.

She was awarded a lead halter and a pair of gloves as prizes for her entries. Hartsfield earned a third place finish in Showmanship at the event.

On the very same day, she took part in the Randolph County Livestock Show in Pocahontas. She again received Grand Champion status for Harmony and Reserve Champion for Sunflower. She also took home the top prize for Showmanship, concluding the busy day with a well-earned triumph.

Hartsfield kept both her busy and hot streaks alive in April. On April 3 she won first and second place ribbons, along with the Grand Reserve ribbon in the All Other Breeds category at the Buffalo Island Livestock Show in Jonesboro. Hartsfield also received the Junior Showmanship belt buckle as a top honor for her presentation.

She claimed both third and fourth place at the Izard County show in Melbourne on April 11 before journeying to the Cave City Spring Fling at Ash Flat on April 18. At the Spring Fling, she received first and second place ribbons for her heifers, while also earning third place in Showmanship. Also that evening, Hartsfield took part in the Sharp County livestock show, where she again took first and second in her division. She added another third place Showmanship honor at the event.

Next up, she will take part in the Arkansas State Fair Spring Show at Little Rock on May 1 and 2.

While Hartsfield says her busy schedule can be tiring, she also enjoys working with her heifers and the time she spends with her family on their trips to the various shows.

"It's a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun," Hartsfield said. "It's all worth it. If you like doing something, then you're willing to do the work."