We Caught up with Ms. Reese Huval exhibitor of the Grand Champion Market Hog at the 2024 LSU Livestock Show. Learn more about Reese below…
What was one difficult challenge you faced to get this win?
One difficult challenge that I faced getting this win was financially supporting myself through this season. I had no one to help support my project financially, so after I sold my first two summer circuit pigs, I began my journey of financing my own project. And was very proud to say that I made it through this season.
What is one thing you dislike the most about showing pigs?
One thing I dislike the most about showing pigs, is the end of the season when I have to get rid of not only my show pig, but my best friend. it’s truly like getting rid of somebody you’ve known your whole life because that’s how strong the bond is between you and your show animal.
One thing you enjoy the most:
I truly can’t say there’s only one thing I enjoy the most because I enjoy all of it the wins and losses and all the learning experiences but most of all the friendships that I’ve built that will last me a lifetime. Because truly there’s no friendships like the one’s you build in the show community.
Something new you tried:
We’ve tried a lot of new things this season, but two of my favorite things that I truly believe drove us straight to this win was a chiropractor that we hired to help or pigs walk better and second, but not least one of our very close friends introduced us to PEMF which is a non-invasive technology that generates gentle electromagnetic pulses to penetrate every cell, tissue, and organ, traveling to the bone to rejuvenate the body’s natural balance. Through this process, PEMF increases blood oxygen levels and stimulates cellular metabolism, which offers remarkable potential to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and other various health conditions without harsh side effects found elsewhere. and it has tremendously helped with the way our pigs walk and their overall health.
Besides being named Grand Champion, what was another memorable moment for you?
A very memorable moment for me is when I was at the barn by myself one day, and my show coach pulled up in the driveway and she had just came back from a sale and she called me to help her unload and in that moment was the first time I set my eye on my grand champion pig, and immediately fell in love it’s something that I would call love at first sight and in that moment I knew that no matter what that’s who I was showing for the season.
Somebody you look up to:
As much as I would like to answer this question perfectly, I can’t because there’s not just one person I look up to there’s so many and I truly can’t say it’s just me that won grad champion because there was so many people that help me get here and I look up to every last one of them and they all deserve the world and beyond.
Favorite show product:
My favorite product is showman shine. There’s no shine quite like it and the best part about it is that it’s not oil based so it will not clog up your pigs pours so it will be better for your pigs, overall health, and will give the best shine for show day and it’s also great for tanning your pig on a sunny day, or even just moisturizing their skin daily.
What playlist do you have blaring in the barn?
In our barn we usually have classic country playing and that’s my favorite because that’s what I grew up listening to in my dad’s truck as a little girl.