We caught up with Haxton Smoot to talk about his first Spot, “El Chapo,” and the journey to the banner.

Tell us a little bit about your champion:
His name is El Chapo — the first Spot I’ve ever had. He was a favorite of mine from the moment we got him.

Who is somebody that helped you achieve this win?
Sam Smoot, my cousin. He knows everything.

What was the most challenging homework you had to make up?
I got sick one time, and I also play baseball. So lost time walking is always hard to catch up on.

What was a challenge you had to overcome with your champion or at the show?
There were lots of competitors in my classes. It was hard to navigate the dirt correctly in between everybody.

What’s your go-to snack in the snack tub?
BBQ chips. Always.