We Caught up with Ms. Carmen Malena, exhibitor of the Reserve Champion Purebred Barrow at The 2023 Exposition. Learn more about Carmen below…

Age: 14

Grade: 9th

Hometown: Leigh, Nebraska

Tell us a little about your champion:
My Chester barrow’s name is Limo Ride and is from Team Sloan. His personality was definitely one of a kind! He also learned the voices and sounds made by some of his favorite people. He quickly became a favorite pig of not only my family members, but also from people that helped us throughout the year.

What do your days leading up to a show look like?
The days before a show are super busy. We spend most of our days out in the barn fine tuning their feeds, making sure the skin and hair is perfect, and packing everything not only in the trailer, but also in our suitcases. We also have to worry about the pigs staying home and making sure everything is lined up for who we have come over to take care of them.

Describe the moment you were selected as a champion.
I was overly ecstatic when I was selected as champion. It was something that I was not expecting at all coming into the show. My dreams had came true and all my hard work payed off. Hanging a banner from a major show like The Expo was something that I never thought I could do.

Do you prefer summer or winter shows? Why?
I prefer summer shows over winter shows. I like the weather more, and how we have more opportunities to show our pigs.

Who’s been your biggest influence?
I have many influences that I have been grateful to have by my side but I would have to say my Mom has been my biggest one. She is always the one to do anything with the pigs as she takes us from show to show, but she has also always been there for us through all of our highs and lows in and out of the showing industry. She has turned in the ultimate “Show Mom.”Another big influence I have is not just a single person but the entire Goss Family, including Kent. They always support each other no matter what happens and have turned into not only some of my best friends, but my family.

What’s your favorite thing to do in the barn?
My favorite thing to do in the barn in turn on some good music while sitting down individually with each pig learning their personalities.

What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer?
My favorite thing to do in the summer is to travel around going from show to show meeting new friends and seeing old ones. I don’t have much time in the summer for all my favorite activities but I also enjoy swimming, boating, concerts, and playing the sports I’m involved in.