We caught up with Sophia Estrada, the exhibitor the Grand Champion Wether Dam at the 2023 Exposition for Youth of Oklahoma! Learn a little more about Sophia below!
Age: 17
Hometown: Cheyenne, OK
Grade: 12th
What’s your Goat name? and what made him/her so special?
Salty. She’s special because she never lets us forget it. She has the biggest personality and refuses to think she is anything less than a princess. She is a bit spoiled.
Throughout your show career what’s been your favorite Goat?
Gator was a wether I showed my junior year. Not only did he help me win many showmanships but he also helped me reach multiple goals in the showring.
What do you tell yourself right before you go into the ring?
Just relax and let my animal do its thing.
What’s your dream college to attend?
Oklahoma State University
What’s your favorite thing to do in the barn?
Work on showmanship and working skin and hair.
What’s your favorite show? and why?
Oklahoma Youth Expo! Seeing the memories generations have made at this show gives me even more reason to be thankful for this industry.
How do you stay focused on reaching your goal?
Thinking back to when I just started out and seeing how far I have been able to grow because of God, family, and friends. Reminiscing gives me the energy to keep working.
Who has been your biggest influence?
I have been blessed enough to have many great influences through my walk with God, in the classroom, and in the show barn. Hayli Miller, my ag teacher from 8th grade to sophomore year, helped me get my feet wet in the goat barn. She is who inspired me to further my education by going to college to obtain an Agriculture Education Degree. My parents are the reason I am half the person I am today. Without them, I would not know how to work hard, be persistent, and how to let my failures be the reason I push harder for success.
