We Caught up with Miss, Courtney Jackman exhibitor of the 4th Overall Purebred Gilt at The 2023 Exposition. Learn more about Courtney below…

Age: 19

Grade: College Sophomore

Hometown: Milroy, Indiana

Tell us a little about your champion:
My berk gilt, Bessie, was raised by Decker Showpigs. What is special about her is I showed her mother that was Reserve Berk gilt at the Indiana State Fair in 2021. It’s a good feeling knowing that previous gilts I’ve had success with have been able to lay down in the crates and produce more winners.

What do your days leading up to a show look like?
Stressful. I feel like anything that could go wrong, goes wrong about 3 days before you leave. I’m very blessed to have a brother and hope to be soon to be sister in law that come over every day a week or so before shows to help control the chaos. There is also a lot of yelling, lots and lots of yelling…

Describe the moment you were selected as a champion.It’s one of those moments that you wish you could bottle up and re do over and over again because one time just isn’t enough. It was honestly a sigh of relief for me seeing that this is my last summer showing and to able to hang a big banner like this on my fair well tour was very humbling.

Do you prefer summer or winter shows? Why?
Summer shows… as much as I loved sending selfies to my friends at school when we were showing in the winter it was difficult to not get behind.

Who’s been your biggest influence?
Oh my.. this is such a loaded question because there have been countless people over my show career who have positively influenced me but overall. It physically hurts me to type this out but none of my success would even be close to possible without my brother. He makes things 10x more difficult than they need to be, and is constantly complaining and very rarely saying anything positive or uplifting but without his knowledge and passion for show pigs everything I’ve been able to accomplished would still be dreams instead of my reality.

Do you and your family raise pigs?
No, for us we have been SO blessed to create lifetime relationships with countless breeders where we trust and believe in their programs. Chad & Lis Decker and Brett Beyers have been long time supporters of my family and I am so greatful that I have the chance to be a small part of their successes.

What’s your favorite thing to do in the barn?
Just do everything in my power to make my brother mad.

What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer?
I love spending time with my friends. Whether it’s friends at shows or my friends back home, I’m so greatful to have the friendships that I do. Life is so much more enjoyable when you surround yourself with people who support and encourage you in all your endeavors.