Fifth Annual Aggieville Showdown Awards Top Cattle and Exhibitors from Across the Nation

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 8, 2025

MANHATTAN, Kan. (April 8, 2025) – The fifth edition of the Aggieville Showdown unfolded at the Riley County Fairgrounds and in downtown Aggieville on Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Manhattan, Kansas. This prestigious event drew a record-breaking exhibitor count from across the United States to the heart of the Little Apple.

Featuring 278 entries from 147 exhibitors representing 13 states, the event showcased the pinnacle of cattle genetics and showmanship. Amidst the impressive livestock displays at the Riley County Fairgrounds, attendees also enjoyed a lively assortment of vendors, businesses, and entertainment—enhancing the full cattle show experience in true Aggieville fashion.

The Showmanship Competition presented by PrairieLand Partners was judged by Nate Kolterman of Garland, Nebraska, and Colby Taber of Harvey, Iowa. Kolterman also officiated the CKP Insurance Breeding Heifer Show, while Taber oversaw the Superior Livestock Auction & El Dorado Livestock Auction Market Beef Show.

Kicking off the weekend, the PrairieLand Partners Showmanship Competition welcomed 80 exhibitors, including 32 juniors, 32 intermediates, and 16 seniors. The results were as follows:

• Junior Grand Champion Showman – LJ Wells, Norfolk, NE 

• Junior Reserve Champion Showman –Blakely Katz, Beatrice, NE 

• Intermediate Grand Champion Showman – Luke Katz, Beatrice, NE 

• Intermediate Reserve Champion Showman – Bristol Weyerman, Idalia, CO

• Senior Grand Champion Showman – Dustin Denton, Blue Rapids, KS

• Senior Reserve Champion Showman – Madison McGee, Arkansas City, KS

Following the rigorous selection of the top six market beef and breeding heifers at the fairgrounds, the spotlight shifted to downtown Aggieville. There, the top six in each category were honored in front of a packed crowd, with more than $8,000 in cash prizes awarded to exhibitors.

Judge Colby Taber identified the top six market beef:

• Grand Champion – Alexis Billeter, Lomis, NE 

• Reserve Champion – Lincoln Berndt, Corydon, IA 

• 3rd Overall – Cash Pratt, Pueblo, CO 

• 4th Overall – Vienna Sells, Yutan, NE 

• 5th Overall – Knoxx Sells, Yutan, NE 

• 6th Overall – Vienna Sells, Yutan, NE

Judge Nate Kolterman selected the top six breeding heifers:

• Grand Champion – Claire Norris, Eudora, KS 

• Reserve Champion – Vienna Sells, Yutan, NE

• 3rd Overall – Grayson Arbuck, Fairmont, NE 

• 4th Overall – Jance Mosbarger, Goodland, KS 

• 5th Overall – Harper Horn, Stillwater, OK 

• 6th Overall – Addi Crouse, Belgrade, NE

New to this year’s Aggieville Showdown was the Kansas Corn People’s Choice Awards. Following the conclusion of the Grand Drive pre-selection, public voting opened for both Market Beef and Breeding Heifer contestants. Unique to this portion of the event, spectators cast their votes to select their favorite among the final six contenders.

Congratulations to the first-ever People's Choice Award winners presented by Kansas Corn:

• Market Beef People’s Choice Champion – Cash Pratt, Pueblo, CO 

• Breeding Heifer People’s Choice Champion – Jance Mosbarger, Goodland, KS

After the final selection of champion cattle, Grand Champion Showmen from each age division stepped forward to compete for the coveted Cimarron Trailers Premier Showman title. Luke Katz of Beatrice, NE, representing the Intermediate Division, earned the prestigious honor for their standout performance that caught the attention of both judges during the PrairieLand Partners Showmanship Competition. The winner was formally recognized during the Grand Drive in downtown Aggieville.

The Aggieville Business District buzzed with excitement as over 2,500 individuals flooded Moro Street throughout the evening. Attendees enjoyed a western fashion show courtesy of Cavender’s, live performances from The Lazy Wayne Band, the official Aggieville Showdown Beer & Distillery Garden, and a variety of food, vendors, and entertainment—all culminating in the celebration of top exhibitors and champion cattle.

For complete results and more information, visit www.aggievilleshowdown.com/2025-results.

### 

About Aggieville Showdown 

Now celebrating its fifth year, the Aggieville Showdown continues to bring exhibitors, students, businesses, and  community members together in the heart of Aggieville to celebrate the importance of agriculture. Participants in  cattle shows like Aggieville Showdown gain invaluable skills — confidence, leadership, and responsibility — alongside memories and friendships that last a lifetime.

For further details on the Aggieville Showdown, sponsorship opportunities, or vendor information, please visit www.aggievilleshowdown.com or contact Christian Calliham, Founder & Executive Director, at (785) 443-1569 or christianc@thegranddrives.com.  

Media Contact 

Reagan Dolan 

Aggieville Showdown 

(563) 608-0628 

reagand@thegranddrives.com

Cavender’s Teams Up with Aggieville Showdown for an Unforgettable Western Fashion Experience

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 19, 2025

MANHATTAN, Kan. (March 19, 2025) – The Aggieville Showdown is proud to announce Cavender’s as the presenting sponsor of its one-of-a-kind Western Fashion Show, set to take place on April 5, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the heart of the Aggieville Business District. This event blends fashion, agriculture, and culture, bringing together western wear enthusiasts, cattle exhibitors from across the country, and the diverse community of Kansas State University for an immersive experience like no other.

Now in its fifth year, the Aggieville Showdown is more than just a livestock event—it is a platform that bridges the gap between rural and urban communities. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Manhattan’s most iconic business district, the Western Fashion Show offers a rare opportunity to celebrate western heritage and style in a land-grant university town known for its diversity and innovation.

“Cavender’s is proud to be the Aggieville Showdown Fashion Show sponsor,” said Sydney Shepard, Cavender’s Western marketing and events coordinator. “At Cavender’s, we don’t just sell Western wear—we live and breathe the values that built the West. Our extensive selection ensures customers’ wardrobes are as authentic and enduring as their lifestyles.”

The Western Fashion Show will feature Cavender’s, a national leader in western apparel, alongside a curated selection of boutiques from across the country, including Showbox Boutique, Shelby’s Sassy Designs, and The Crystal Boot. Cavender’s, an iconic nationally recognized brand, is joined by a selection of independent boutiques from across the country, each bringing its own distinct style to the runway. Together, they offer a diverse showcase that appeals to seasoned cattle exhibitors, K-State students, and western fashion enthusiasts alike.

While the fashion show is a highlight of the night, the Aggieville Showdown is a full-scale celebration of the cattle industry and western way of life. Attendees will experience elite cattle being selected as champions, an array of western vendors, live music, and an after-party featuring a concert. The event is designed to engage people from all backgrounds in the rich culture and traditions of the western lifestyle.

“We work with some of the best brands in the business to curate collections that reflect the western way of life,” said Brandi Hoch, fashion show manager. “By hosting this event in Aggieville, we’re giving people from all backgrounds—whether they’re from ranches, urban centers, or college classrooms—an opportunity to engage with western fashion and the larger celebration of the cattle industry in an exciting and accessible way.”

The event is free to attend and will include shopping opportunities with apparel vendors along Moro Street throughout the fashion show and Grand Drive cattle exhibition.

Event Details

What: Aggieville Showdown Western Fashion Show, presented by Cavender’s

When: April 5, 2025, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Moro Street, Aggieville Business District, Manhattan, Kan.

Cost: Free admission

Additional: Western apparel vendors on-site during the fashion show and Grand Drive.

For event details, visit www.aggievilleshowdown.com/fashion-show. 

### 

About Aggieville Showdown 

Now celebrating its fifth year, the Aggieville Showdown continues to bring exhibitors, students, businesses, and  community members together in the heart of Aggieville to celebrate the importance of agriculture. Participants in  cattle shows like Aggieville Showdown gain invaluable skills — confidence, leadership, and responsibility — alongside memories and friendships that last a lifetime.

For further details on the Aggieville Showdown, sponsorship opportunities, or vendor information, please visit www.aggievilleshowdown.com or contact Christian Calliham, Founder & Executive Director, at (785) 443-1569 or christianc@thegranddrives.com.  

Media Contact 

Reagan Dolan 

Aggieville Showdown 

(563) 608-0628 

reagand@thegranddrives.com

Campustown Showdown: Aggieville Showdown's Sister Event Turns Campustown into Cow Town to Celebrate Agriculture with New Cattle Show on Welch Avenue

 IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

January 29, 2025 

AMES, Iowa (January 29, 2025) – The Campustown Showdown, presented by MaxAg, a one-of-a-kind cattle show and community celebration, is set to debut in Ames, Iowa, on April 25-26, 2025. Modeled after the successful Aggieville Showdown in Manhattan, Kansas, this inaugural event will bring an exciting mix of agriculture, entertainment, and community spirit to the heart of Campustown. 

This unique cattle show starts at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center where exhibitors will compete to have the chance to show their cattle in the streets of the Campustown Business District. 

The first show of its kind, Aggieville Showdown, was developed in Manhattan, Kansas in 2021 to celebrate American beef producers while advancing exhibitors’ and the public’s knowledge about the livestock industry. 

“We are excited for the inaugural Campustown Showdown event in Ames, Iowa to unite exhibitors, students, businesses, and the public to celebrate agriculture in Campustown,” said Christian Calliham, Founder & Executive Director of Campustown Showdown. “Our mission is to bridge the gap between rural and urban communities by hosting engaging livestock show events in entertainment districts, providing consumers with an immersive experience of the cattle industry’s producer-to-consumer journey.” 

The Aggieville Showdown has become a signature tradition in Manhattan, Kansas over the past five years. The staff are excited to expand the tradition to Ames, Iowa, highlighting the shared values of these vibrant communities. 

Exhibitors will compete on Friday, April 25, at 6 p.m. starting with the showmanship competition at the Hansen Ag Center. On Saturday, April 26 the competition resumes at 9:30 a.m. with market beef and breeding heifer divisions. The top competitors will advance to the Grand Drive on Welch Avenue in Campustown. 

The public is invited to both the Hansen Ag Center, and the Grand Drive event in Campustown on Welch Avenue to watch the competition and enjoy vendor booths. 

The Grand Drive will be at 6:30 p.m. on April 26, 2025 in Campustown on Welch Avenue, between Chamberlin and Hunt Street. The evening will feature the following: 

● Crowning champions on Welch Avenue, with over $7,500 in cash prizes 

● A western fashion show 

● Live music 

● Interviews with the winning contestants 

● Vendors providing a unique shopping experience 

“Campustown has never hosted an event like this before,” said Kevin Bourke of Discover Ames. “It’s a chance to showcase our vibrant community and its rich agricultural heritage to a wide audience. We are excited to support the inaugural Campustown Showdown and welcome cattle exhibitors from across the Midwest.” 

Mark your calendars and join us for the inaugural Campustown Showdown in Ames! Visit campustownshowdown.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for event details and updates. 

### 

Media Contact 

Reagan Dolan 

Campustown Showdown 

(563) 608-0628 

reagand@thegranddrives.com 

About Campustown Showdown

The Campustown Showdown is a premier cattle show and community event inspired by the success of the Aggieville Showdown in Manhattan, Kansas. This inaugural event brings exhibitors, students, businesses, and community members together in the heart of Campustown to celebrate the importance of agriculture. 

Participants in cattle shows like the Campustown Showdown gain invaluable skills — confidence, leadership, and responsibility — alongside memories and friendships that last a lifetime. The event showcases the best of Ames’ community spirit while highlighting its agricultural heritage. 

For further details on the Campustown Showdown, sponsorship opportunities, or vendor information, please visit www.campustownshowdown.com or contact Christian Calliham, Founder & Executive Director, at (785) 443-1569 or christianc@thegranddrives.com.