We caught up with Ms. Bella Herrera, exhibitor of the 5th Overall NJSA Barrow at the 2025 National Junior Show. Learn more about Bella below…
Fun/Interesting fact about your champion
His name is Dash 2. Originally, we had his brother on feed, -1 (Clyde) but he wasn’t really cutting the mustard. One day Jose came to pick-up the culls, and Kylie and Jason pulled, “Dash 2” back as he was going up the trailer ramp and threw him in the barn and shipped, “Clyde,” instead! I got, “Dash 2” as a replacement and I am sure glad they made the swap!
Ever had a show ring fail? Tell us the story!
I feel like I should leave this one blank, as to not incriminate myself, but recently during a showmanship competition, the judge asked me, “what I would change about my pig.” I completely froze and I said, “I would change her big butt!” As soon as I said it, I knew it was a major fail and not even correct terminology! It didn’t hurt me too bad though, because I won showmanship and the gilt went on to win the show. I guess that judge liked her, “big butt!”
What’s your favorite non-livestock hobby?
Most of my free time is dedicated to my show animals and attending livestock shows. When I am not in the barn or at a show, I like to travel, spend time with friends, and learn new things about the agricultural industry.
If your champion had a theme song, what would it be?
There is a long backstory behind some of my crew’s song choices but I would say, ‘Low Rider,’ by War.
What’s the one thing in your show box you can’t live without?
There are a few things. My crew is very superstitious and there are some things we always re-use. Those would be my special hairbrush, my safety pin, and my hair tie. I would also say my whips. The ‘crew chiefs’ always tell me my biggest job is to get the set driven correctly in the ring, and I have to have a perfect whip for that!
What do you enjoy most about the summer national shows?
This was my first time exhibiting at a summer national and showing in the midwest. Everyone was very kind and the show was super well ran. It was nice (and exciting) to hear all the positive compliments about the set we brought and how we presented them. It was very humbling for me to be able to show against some of the best in the country and stick right up there with them! The highlight of my trip to Springfield however, was Dan Hoge stopping me in the barn, introducing himself, and telling me how he had watched me through the week and how impressed he was by my attitude in and out of the ring, and my showing ability.