"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." I don't know how many times I've heard this quote since I stepped out of the sale ring at the Tulsa State Fair. Hello, my name is Ashton Thompson, I am the daughter of Russell and Paula Thompson and I have one older brother, Cody. I live in the small town of Bokchito, Oklahoma. I graduated from Rock Creek High School in May 2011. During my high school career I was on the varsity softball and basketball teams. I was also involved in FFA, BPA, FCA, Student Council, and Mock Trial. My senior year I was elected President of FFA, Secretary of my senior class, and Reporter of the student body. I started showing pigs when I was five years old. I got interested as I was watching my brother Cody and cousin Casey show at the Bryan County Jr. Livestock Show. On the way home that night I begged my dad to let me show just one pig the next year. The following November, my wish came true. That is where it all began. My first pig was a Poland gilt and my first show was the Coalgate Jackpot. I received 4th place with that little gilt. I was so happy to receive my first ribbon, but little did I know 4th wasn't the best. When dad explained to me I had the fourth best pig in class I suddenly began to cry. That day taught me a very valuable lesson: If you're not satisfied with how you did, go home, work even harder, and maybe the next attempt will be more rewarding. From 1999-2001 I was in training, still learning everything I needed to know about showing pigs. Since I wasn't old enough to show at the county show, we would show our pigs at the local jackpots, and then when the time came, Cody would show both of our pigs at the county show. In 2002 I was not only able to show at jackpots, but I could also show at our county show. Cody and I each had four pigs that year and we even decided to get a couple of steers to throw in the mix. 2002 was definitely a success. At our county show I received Grand Champion with my Hampshire gilt. I also received Breed Champion with my Shorthorn steer. The feeling of getting Grand Champion the very first year I got to show at our county was amazing. I loved that gilt so much I talked dad into keeping her for a sow. She was the reason we raise and sell show pigs. She was our foundation female for 8 years before she quit producing babies due to her age. That was a sad day at the Thompson residence, but I knew it was time for her to go to "pig heaven." Between 2002 and 2006 I showed lots of pigs at jackpots, our county show, and I also started showing at the Oklahoma Youth Expo (my favorite place to show.) This was a very rewarding experience for me. I took the maximum of 3 gilts and 3 barrows every year. My hard work paid off in 2005 when I got first place and made the premium sale for the first time with my Maine-Anjou steer. In 2007 we decided to step it up a notch. I would have all the pigs to myself since my brother graduated the previous year. We renovated our barn so we could have even more pig pens. 2007 was also the year I was blessed to meet Verlin "Red" Goodson. I had always wanted to join the Oklahoma Club Pig Association points system and compete with the best of the best in Oklahoma. Red explained to us how the points system worked and the next week I was signing up to join OCPA. My first year showing in OCPA was a little overwhelming. We went to pig shows every weekend December through February. I finished my first OCPA season off well by getting in the top 5 with my Hampshire, Crossbred, and Chester gilts, and making the top 10 with my Hampshire and Crossbred barrows. I was also surprised at the OCPA banquet when they called my name out for being runner-up Premier Gilt Exhibitor. At the county that year I was named Grand Champion Market steer, and little did I know, that year would begin a winning streak for me at our county show. At OYE I got 1st place with my Crossbred gilt and made the "Night of a Hundred Stars Gilt Sale" for the first time. From that year forward, Red helped us find the "great ones". Showing was the main part of my life. 2008-2011 were definitely the best years in my showing career. I finished OCPA up by being named Top 5 Chester gilts, Crossbred gilts, and Hampshire gilts. I was also named Premier Gilt Exhibitor. At the county show I continued my streak by winning Grand Champion steer. At Oklahoma Youth Expo I was named Reserve Breed Champion Chester gilt, 1st place Duroc gilt, and 5th place Commercial gilt. I made the "Night of a Hundred Stars Gilt Sale" with all 3 pigs. In the steer barn I placed 2nd with my Maine-Anjou steer and 4th with my cross steer. 2009 would begin another streak, but not a good one. OCPA was yet another successful year when I claimed Top Duroc gilt, top 5 Chester and Hampshire gilts, and top 10 cross gilts. At the county show I continued my streak as I was named Grand Champion market steer and Grand Champion Gilt. . The day of OYE I was walking my best Crossbred gilt when she took off running and pulled a muscle in her hip. That was the beginning of my best pigs getting crippled right before the county or OYE. I still finished up strong at OYE by getting 2nd place and making the gilt sale with a cross gilt I had raised. As the 2010 season wrapped up I was named Top 5 Hampshire barrows, Hampshire gilts, and Crossbred gilts in OCPA. Unfortunately my cross gilt we thought was the best got crippled as I was walking her just one week shy of the county show. Not letting that get me down, I worked harder than ever to continue my tradition at the county and was named Grand Champion gilt and Reserve Grand Champion barrow. The Oklahoma Youth Expo was a success when I was named Division II Champion and Third Overall Commercial Gilt with a home raised gilt named Stella. I also received 1st place and 4th place with two gilts I had raised and made the gilt sale once again with all pigs I had raised! As my senior year approached it suddenly hit me that in a few short months my FFA showing career would be over. I had 16 pigs on feed and one little steer. At the end of the OCPA show season I ended up having Top Chester gilt, 2nd Duroc gilt, 5th Hampshire gilt, 7th Cross gilt, 6th Spotted gilt, and 5th Hampshire barrow. I was also named Premier Gilt Exhibitor for the second time! County rolled around and I was taking 13 pigs. My Chester gilt was an absolute beast. She had won Breed Champion 10 out of 11 times and to no surprise she was named Breed Champion at the county followed by being chosen for Grand Champion Overall! It was such a great feeling to be named Grand Champion the first time I had ever showed at the county and the very last time. I was also honored to be named Reserve Grand Champion gilt with a Hamp gilt I raised. My Chester gilt got crippled after the premium sale and it was doubtful if she would be able to make it to OYE. We did everything to get her ready for OYE and ended up taking her. She was named Reserve Breed Champion Chester, even though she was still limping. I also received 2nd with my Duroc and made the gilt sale with both of them. We ended up buying my Chester gilt back to make a sow out of her. My goal since I started showing at OYE and the Tulsa State Fair was to make the premium sale. I had made the premium sale twice with my steers at OYE, but I had never made it with my barrows. The Tulsa State Fair would be the last chance to accomplish my goal. I had no idea a moment was about to happen that I had dreamed of since I first started showing. I was named Breed Champion with a Bellettini Spotted named Little John. He was one of my favorite pigs of all time. Let's just say he was "one of a kind." I want to thank Johnny Bellettini for selling me Little John and making one of my dreams come true. I would like to say thank you to a few people whom this story wouldn't be possible without. First off, my parents, they are the ones who were ALWAYS there for me. Dad, thank you for teaching me responsibility through my show projects. You were always the shoulder to cry on and the person who told me everything happens for a reason when my best pigs got crippled three years in a row right before OYE. We made many memories driving all over the country that I hold dear to my heart. Always remember that no matter how old I am I will always be daddy's little girl. Mom, thank you for perfecting everything I ever did. You made me stronger. I also want to thank you for being my number 1 fan. I will miss those late night talk that we always had. Nanny, Pop-pop, and Gary, thank you for coming to all my shows whether they were 10 minutes away or 10 hours away it meant a lot to me. Mark, thank you for the countless hours you spent with me in the barn helping out in whatever way you were needed. I could have never accomplished all I did without all your help. John Wood thanks to you for making sure I was always in the hunt with the great calves you found for me and for introducing me to "Mary Legs" my Grand Champion Chester Gilt. Last but certainly not least I want to say thank you to Red Goodson; you are like another grandpa to me. You were my mentor, coach, teacher, friend and always there with a hug when I needed it the most. You were always on a mission to make sure I had the best of the best pigs to show. You are one of the reasons I have been so successful throughout my showing career and I will always be grateful for that. I have now began a new chapter in my life I am currently a freshman at Southeastern Oklahoma State University where I am pursuing a degree in nursing. My dad and I continue raising show pigs, we now have 11 sows. We plan on expanding our herd and making improvements each and every year to suit the swine industry. A message from your parents: Ashton, you have truly been a blessing in our lives. You have grown from the sweet little "Daddy's Girl" into a beautiful young lady. There is no doubt you will do great things in your life. You have always had the desire to succeed and be the best at everything you have ever attempted. You had a great passion for showing livestock and it was evident with all the success you had over the years. We would like to say thanks for all the great memories, it was a beautiful ride. We love you dearly Mom & Dad. Congratulations on all your many accomplishments. You are seemingly a dedicated worker as well as a very determined young lady. We wish you all the best in college and all your other future endeavors. May God continue to bless you in all that you do.

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