We Caught up with Roxton Stone exhibitor of the Grand Champion Market Barrow at the 2024 Rodeo Austin. Learn more about Roxton below…
What was one difficult challenge you faced to get this win?
This pig had many names,,101, Lead Off, 137, Lead On ( per my brother Jade…he never could get his name right ). He was like a bull in a china cabinet because he was always bored and full of energy. He chewed the new insulation in small chunks off the wall in the barn, he dug a hole outside while tanning almost daily deeper than he was tall and when he got out to walk he had one speed- real fast- because he was super athletic. I had to learn the combination of the right speed without irritating him and also while keeping his head high and at the right level ( per my coaches, Ashlei and Josh, and by watching videos). I say all that to say this… when I won my light weight Hamp class onto the Hamp drive and onto the Grand Drive – I was so nervous inside, and I normally do not get nervous at all, but I had to practice exactly what I did outside the ring and stay calm in order to make it all count when it mattered the most!!!!
What is one thing you dislike the most about showing pigs?
What I dislike the most about a show pig is how fast one can go from being a great one to death row in a matter of hours or overnight. My family and I are cattle people, I have shown steers and heifers my entire life and that’s something we don’t normally have to deal with much. That has been the biggest adjustment for me and something I’ve had to learn that is super important to get used to listening to coughs and breathing…. can be very nerve racking!
One thing you enjoy the most:
I like competition…. I like to push myself and to push and support others as well. I believe its such a character builder and if you can stay on track and keep your head down and pushing forward you never know what goals you can crush! My parents always tell me that no matter what we win, all the banners, trophies, etc. nothing can compare to the lessons I will learn, the heartbreaks, the emotional wins, we win as a family and we lose as a family. But most importanly we will always hold our head up high and be grateful for every one of lifes ups and downs, because we all go through them, and it only molds us to be stronger, wiser, and a better person at the end of the day. Life certainly isn’t always fair and I have to learn to grown and become the best version of the person I am supposed to be.
I also love to team rope! There isn’t enough hours in the day for me to do both competitively at the moment, and my mom reminds me daily that I can rope the rest of my life, but my show career will be over before I know it. So I’m going to soak up all the memories, try to crush as many of my goals as possible in these next 4 short years that I have left to show, and I will be working on becoming your next World Champion Team Roper after I graduate.
Something new you tried:
We tried hair pills from the baby pig stage this year combined with stomach probiotics… we did have some burley pigs!!!
Besides being named Grand Champion, what was another memorable moment for you?
I’ve had a heck of a year this year! So much to be thankful for… I exhibited the Champion Chester at Denver this year which was really exciting and I had 2 class champions at San Antonio and Houston. Then fast forward to winning Austin, my grandparents were there to get to be a part of that which was so important to me! They were not supposed to be at Austin, they had flown in to Houston to watch my brother and I show our steers and pigs and the day they were supposed to fly home their flight got cancelled and they decided to come with my mom to Austin to watch us show our pigs. It was a GOD thing… HE knew they needed to be there with us and I’m so thankful it happened the way it did.
Somebody you look up to:
Gosh thats a hard one! I have several people who I look up to. My dad, how he does all that he does to make sure we have the right people in our corner, on our team, he pushes my brother and I to be hard workers, great winners, and even better losers. So much goes into this and it takes a village to get it all done. NONE of this would even be possible for me if it wasn’t for my family, Ashlei Mason, Josh & Carrie Brockman, and so many others who definitely know who they are. Thank you will never be enough to these people who I believe are special role models, teach me everything I need to know, and keeps Christ at the center point of it all. I truly believe in everything happens for a reason and none of this would even transpire without GOD in our corner.
Favorite show product:
My favorite feed supplement is undoubtedly Optiwize. My go to product for black pigs is Baby Oil with Aloe or Champions Choice.
What playlist do you have blaring in the barn?
A variety… we love music and all of us have some favorites, but both Texas Country and Red Dirt Country, but when we are cleaning pens we have to throw in some upbeat music like Nelly, Kid Rock, T Pain and a little Classic Rock.