Mentorship Program Sends Inaugural Class Members to Judge at Arizona National Livestock Show
A newly established livestock judging mentorship program made its mark at one of the Southwest’s largest agricultural events in December 2025, placing two of its inaugural participants in associate judging roles at the Arizona National Livestock Show.
The Top Judge Livestock Mentor Program, which pairs aspiring livestock judges with experienced industry professionals, partnered with the Arizona National Livestock Show to give two members of its first class the opportunity to officiate the sheep and goat competitions. The partnership reflected a shared commitment between the program and the show to cultivate the next generation of skilled livestock evaluators.
Gunner Coburn, a Texas A&M graduate with extensive livestock judging experience, and Ashlyn O’Brien, an Academic All-American from Oklahoma State University, gained practical judging experience while contributing to the success of the competitions. Their participation in the sheep and goat shows represented a tangible step forward from classroom and collegiate competition into professional show ring responsibilities.
“Partnering with Top Judge allowed us to invest in the future of livestock judging and the next generation of agricultural leaders,” said Tyler Grandil, Executive Director of the Arizona National Livestock Show. “We were proud to support these talented young mentors and provide them with opportunities to gain experience at one of the country’s premier livestock shows.”
The Arizona National Livestock Show is the largest livestock show in the Southwest and has been an annual Phoenix tradition since 1948, held each year from December 27 through December 31. The show, held at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix, brings together farmers, ranchers, and families from across the country to celebrate agriculture through livestock competitions, rodeo events, and youth programs. In addition to livestock competitions, youth compete in public speaking and creed speaking contests, as well as livestock judging and skill-a-thon competitions.
The Top Judge program, which launched its inaugural class in conjunction with the 2025 San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo earlier that year, brought together 20 of the nation’s most talented collegiate livestock evaluators to prepare them for future roles as livestock show judges and industry leaders. Students were nominated by their college livestock judging team coaches and selected based on their livestock evaluation skills, background, interests, future plans, character, and integrity.
During the four-day program, participants were mentored by some of the country’s most prominent livestock judges and industry leaders. Students and their mentors discussed various judging situations, show ring conduct and logistics, and the importance of consistency. Other topics included delivering a closing speech and working with exhibitors with special needs. Mentors provided one-on-one guidance, helping participants enhance their skills and establish meaningful professional relationships.
“The Top Judge mission is to develop the next generation of livestock industry leaders and judges — professionals who exemplify integrity, humility, and communication skills with a passion for working with young people,” said Scott Greiner, professor of animal science at Virginia Tech. “By equipping these young leaders with elite-level experiences, knowledge, and mentorship, the program ensures that they not only excel in livestock evaluation but also contribute to the growth and integrity of the industry and positive youth development.”
Livestock judging competitions assess participants’ ability to evaluate and rank animals based on specific criteria including conformation, muscle definition, structural soundness, and breed standards. After evaluating classes, participants provide oral reasons for their rankings, explaining and defending their decisions. The mentorship experience at the Arizona National Livestock Show placed O’Brien and Coburn on the other side of that process — a transition that the Top Judge program identifies as central to professional development in the field.
The Top Judge program is supported by a range of sponsors, including Zinpro, Show-Rite, AcuFast Genetics, SC Online Sales, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, Primo Feeds, Choice of Champions, Green Meadows Forage, the Iowa State Fair, the Arizona National Livestock Show, the American Hereford Association, and the National Swine Registry.
The Arizona National Livestock Show office can be reached at (602) 258-8568 or at information@aznational.org. Additional information about the show is available at www.aznational.org.
