We Caught up with Ms. McKenzie Mitteness exhibitor of the 5th Overall NJSA Purebred Barrow at the 2024 Team Purebred. Learn more about McKenzie below..
Age: 17
Grade: Senior
Hometown: Watertown, MN
What was the most special part about your win?
The most special part to me about winning Reserve Champion Birkshire Barrow and 5th Overall NJSA was when I was selected. The rush of emotions and excitement along with hearing my friends and family cheering was an unbelievable experience. Leaving the ring and hugging my dad knowing that we just had the most amazing and incredible thing happen made us both speechless.
What is your favorite thing about your animal?
My favorite thing about my animal is his selective hearing. Often times I will direct him to listen to what I am trying to teach him and he will listen but occasionally when he feels like taking a nap or when he doesn’t want to do what I want him to do, he likes to ignore me and do his own thing.
Does your animal have any quirks?
My animal loves to be lazy and loud. Sleeping all day, barely waking up when it’s time for his walks, and yelling when he wants treats or food is his specialty.
What is one thing you hope to accomplish by the end of your show career?
One thing I would like to accomplish throughout my show career is to be apart of top 5 in showmanship ship at a national show.
Who is your biggest role model?
My biggest role model is my dad. Throughout my life, my dad and I have gone through a lot of hardships and he’s raised me by himself since i was young. Raising a girl is not for the weak especially when he has his own life situations. My dads taught me a lot about hard work, self discipline, kindness but also always stand up for yourself and what you think is right. Overall I think my dad’s an extremely strong person and he’s shown me that not giving up when things are hard is what shapes good people.
Favorite hobbies outside of showing livestock?
My hobbies outside of showing livestock include working and hanging out with my friends. Everyday I work 9-5 and then see my friends afterwards to usually hangout at the beach.
What is your pre-show routine?
My pre show routine is feeding, watering, and prepping my animal before it’s time to get them ready to go show.
What are some of your showbox essentials?
My shoebox essentials are chalk, rice brushes, roto brush with a drill, HD, spray bottles, shur shine, and my go to whip.
Gilts or Barrows?
Barrows over gilts because they have a lot more personality in my experience. Barrows like to run around, bite your shoes, be playful and sleep as much as possible.
Tennis Shoes or Boots?
Tennis shoes because they are more comfortable and less heavy to walk around in.
Cats or Dogs?
Dogs because they are interested in activity along with showing love to the owner.
Summer shows or winter shows?
Summer shows because in MN, winter shows don’t exist due to the snow and bad weather we experience.
Favorite Breed?
My favorite breed of pigs is chesters or yorkshires because they have amazing personality’s. They can be happy or stubborn but at the same time they are both extremely loving and always want to be playful.