Mic’d Up – Jordan Leatherman
Jordan Leatherman
Paragould, Arkansas • NJSS Crossbred Gilts
What part of the show are you looking forward to the most and why?
Growing up in Indiana and getting the opportunity to come back and judge at the State Fairgrounds in the new swine barn will be a pretty memorable experience.
What’s one thing you can’t go without when judging a show?
A pocket full of mints.
Your favorite national summer show memory?
Summer Spectacular has always been my favorite show since I was a kid. Growing up watching 20-plus classes of Yorkshire gilts instilled an early passion for me to want to be involved in the industry. Showing in the Champion Yorkshire Boar Drive among a ring full of industry icons the year of the record-breaking Yorkshire Sale will always be a core memory that will be hard to top.
Besides shows, what’s something else you look forward to during the summer?
Our family thoroughly enjoys being outside as much as possible, so evenings in the yard throwing the ball or Frisbee around with the kids, going on walks, and a late-night fire with some s’mores is sure hard to beat.
Pool or lake?
Lake
Lemonade or iced tea?
Iced tea
Baseball or golf?
Golf
Ice cream or popsicles?
Ice cream
Mic’d Up – Kane Austin
Kane Austin
Hutchinson, Kansas • NJSS Purebred Barrows
Working with the young people. National Junior Summer Spectacular was my first national show experience as a young person. It feels like a very full-circle moment.
What’s one thing you can’t go without when judging a show?
If it was Team Purebred Junior National in 2025, the only answer is Body Armor and a sweat towel. Hopefully we won’t need the towel indoors in Indy.
Your favorite national summer show memory?
As an exhibitor, it was competing in the judging contest, skillathon, speech contests, and high-level showmanship contests that were unique to national shows, along with seeing friends from across the country that I might not see anywhere else. As a judge, it’s the elite level of showmen and livestock that come to the national stage.
Besides shows, what’s something else you look forward to during the summer?
Chicago Cubs baseball, my birthday in June, and the Fourth of July.
Pool or lake?
Lake
Lemonade or iced tea?
Iced tea
Baseball or golf?
Baseball
Ice cream or popsicles?
Ice cream
Exhibitor Spotlight
Owen Hege
Whether he’s aiming for a banner at the Indiana State Fair or celebrating with a great meal alongside family and friends, Owen Hege knows that the best memories are made both inside and outside the ring. Following a strong summer at The Exposition, Owen shares the people, traditions, and simple moments that keep him motivated.
What is your favorite way to celebrate a win?
A good meal with my friends and family!
What’s your dream show to win?
Barrows at the Indiana State Fair.
Who is another exhibitor that you look up to?
Brody Everhart.
What’s one thing you can’t go without during a show?
Tail adhesive and poker chips.
Besides summer shows, what is something else you enjoy doing during the summer?
Playing pickleball, cards, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Pool or Lake?
Lake
Lemonade or Iced Tea?
Lemonade
Ice Cream or Popsicles?
Ice Cream
Washing or Cleaning Pens?
Cleaning Pens
Early Mornings or Late Nights?
Late Nights
Trivia
Submit your answer to enter to win your own ThePigPlanet.com gear!
Submit your answer to enter to win your own ThePigPlanet.com gear!
2018
2019
2021
2022
The Ultimate Barn Playlist
The Ultimate Barn Playlists
Brought to you by The Pig Planet
Judging Contest
The Daily
Want to see your photo featured as THE DAILY photo? Submit your picture here and if your photo is selected to be featured, you’ll receive some ThePigPlanet.com gear! Ring shots, candid shots, action shots, backdrop bloopers – submit them often!
Trivia
Submit your answer to enter to win your own ThePigPlanet.com gear!
Test your smarts against other The Pig Planet fans! CLICK HERE
Judging Contest
2026 JUDGING CONTEST
Compete as a team or as an individual. Prizes for both!
Upcoming Judges
Wondering who will be sorting at the upcoming state & national swine shows?
We have a list for you!
New Boar Alert
View some of the nation’s top boars and up-and-coming sires. Interested in promoting your boar on “New Boar Alert”? Contact us at info@thepigplanet.com for details.
Get The App
Did you know that we’ve conveniently always had a map feature on our app? We use it frequently and we think you’ll love it also!
All breeders/boar stud with a link to thepigplanet.com are listed on the map.
Submit Your Results
We strive to report as many results as possible, however we can’t always be at every show. If you see that results from a show you recently attended aren’t posted or are only partially posted, feel free to submit your results to us and we will list on our results page!