We caught up with Ms. Gabbie Raute, exhibitor of the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb at the 2024 Aksarben Stock Show. Learn a little more about Gabbie below!
What was your favorite thing about the show?
One of my favorite things about Aksarben is how smoothly it’s run. I love that everything stays nearly on schedule, and they always put the spotlight on the kids, making them the heart of the show.
What is one experience in the ring you will never forget?
A memory in the ring I’ll never forget is earning Reserve Grand and third overall at my state fair in 2019. The incredible feeling of shaking hands in that moment was only rivaled by the joy I saw in my aunt’s and big sisters’ faces. When I’m feeling down, I think back to that day to lift my spirits—it reminds me of how much their pride meant, maybe even more than my own.
If you had to use one word to describe the people supporting you, what would it be?
Choosing one word to describe the people who help me is almost impossible because they bring so much to the table. But if I had to pick, “encouraging” stands out. They celebrate every win with me and offer the kind of support that not only lifts me up but also helps me learn and grow from any mistakes I make in the ring.
If you could pick another species to show, what would it be? Why?
If I could pick another species to show, it would be an easy choice—I also started showing goats in the summer. It’s a fun experience finding the differences and similarities between the two animals, and it’s especially enjoyable sharing that experience with Dave Williams, who first got me interested in showing goats.
