Texas youth expo
2026 Judges
Cattle
Ring A
riley Godwin
steers
Riley Godwin of Prescott, Arkansas, is the owner of Godwin Show Cattle, a family operation he runs with his wife, Rachael, and daughter, Marley. Together, they specialize in raising competitive cattle with an emphasis on high-quality show steers. As a graduate of Connors State College and former member of the livestock judging team, Riley has built a strong foundation in the industry that he now pours into his family’s program.
Chris Sweat
heifers
Chris Sweat of McCaskill, Arkansas, is the owner of Rolling Hills Farms, a family operation he runs with his wife, Denise, and two daughters Sara and Anna. There he specializes in raising Simbrah, Simmental, Angus and commercial cattle with an emphasis on raising functional cattle that compete in the showring and perform in the pasture. He is graduate of Southern Arkansas University with a Masters in Agriculture. Chris has built a strong foundation in the livestock industry through connections over his years and continues to give back to the youth.
cattle
Ring B
BRAD Hanewich
steers
Brad Hanewich of Rensselaer, Indiana, owns and operates Hanewich Cattle Co with his two sons, on his family’s 4th generation farm. Brad is a graduate of Purdue University and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. Brad has judged numerous shows across the US and Canada including the North American, Belt Buckle Bonanza, Fall Classic, and several state fairs, junior nationals, and jackpot shows. Brad is most proud of his family which includes his father, Dave, who he credits his passion for livestock and work ethic to, his mother, Linda, and sister, Amy, who spent countless hours and miles helping build the HCC brand and supporting his dream. Above everything, Brad is grateful for God blessing him with, his greatest accomplishments and all his pride who are his two sons, Jaxon and Stockton.
ring a goats
ring b lambs
Shawn ramsey
Dr. Shawn Ramsey is a Professor, and Assistant Head for Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University. He also serves as one of the State Sheep and Goat Specialists for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Over the past 30 years, he has taught thousands of students in introductory and advanced animal science courses and has coached numerous National Champion Wool Judging teams. He received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Texas A&M University and his master’s and doctorate degrees in Animal and Range Sciences from New Mexico State University. Shawn enjoys judging livestock shows, fishing, and spending time with his two grandkids. He has judged numerous shows across the country including Texas major shows, state fairs, and regional and county shows. Alongside his son, Kyle, he owns and operates Ramsey Sheep Company—a small flock of ewes that primarily raise competitive show lambs. Shawn and his wife, Kristi, live in Navasota and have two children, Kyle and Clayton, who both grew up in the junior livestock show program in Texas.
Blake Nelson
heifers
Blake Nelson is the Executive Vice-President of the American Maine-Anjou Association. He grew up on a small eastern Oklahoma commercial cow-calf operation. As a junior exhibitor he exhibited Brangus and Chianina cattle. He began his collegiate career at Connors State College and finished at Oklahoma State University where he was a member of championship livestock Judging Teams and worked with both school’s cattle operations. After graduation, he returned to Connors State College in 2000 to be an instructor and livestock judging coach. From 2005 to 2015 he was the Connors State College Director of Farm Operations and Livestock Coordinator which involved overseeing the bull test station, a 250 head cowherd, the beef show team, and working with the nationally competitive livestock judging team. Blake has production experience working with many breeds. Personally, Mr. Nelson feels privileged to judge many shows each year; some notable shows that he has judged at include the American Royal, the North American, Cattlemen’s Congress, the National Western, Texas majors, as well as Jr. Nationals for most major breeds. Blake and his wife Ruth have been blessed with two children Paisley, 18, and Brigham, 14. His kids are very active in 4-H and showing cattle in Missouri.
ring a lambs
ring b goats
Jeff Ripley
Dr. Jeff Ripley recently retired as the Associate Director for County Operations with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Prior to this role he served as Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, a District Extension Administrator, and as a County Extension Director and County Extension Agent totaling over 34 years of Extension service. Jeff holds a B.S. in Agri-Business from Tarleton State University, a M.Ed. in Agricultural Education from Texas State University and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M University. Jeff enjoys judging livestock shows, and has judged across the country, including the Houston Livestock Show, San Angelo Stock Show, The American Royal, The Dixie National, Oklahoma Youth Expo, Tulsa State Fair, State Fair of Texas, Iowa State Fair, Nebraska State Fair, Fort Worth Livestock Show, New Mexico State Fair and numerous state fairs, regional, county, and local shows. Jeff and his wife, Tina, live in Franklin and have four children, all of whom participated in the junior livestock program in Texas. They also have one grandchild, who is next up in the show ring! They currently own and operate a large show goat production operation and a Hardware Store and Lumber Yard.
wether dams & wether does
Kyle Ramsey
Born and raised in Navasota, Texas, Kyle discovered a passion for livestock and agriculture early in life. He then went on to Texas A&M University, where he earned a degree in Animal Science and proudly competed on the university’s Livestock Judging Team. He was a member of the 2016 National Champion Wool Judging Team, and later served as both assistant and head coach while completing his master’s degree. Today, he lives in Floresville, Texas, with his wife, Ciarra, and their son, Pearce. He serves as the Distribution Sales Manager for Qwikkit Cabinet Refacing Kits and is part owner in H2 Conditioner. His lifelong commitment to the livestock industry has allowed him to mentor families across Texas, helping them succeed in the show ring and build lasting connections with top-tier lamb and goat breeders nationwide. He also works for NXT Gen Sales where he gets to help breeders and buyers find homes for their next champions.