Parker County Today August 2017 | Page 94

our youth: AG STARS KINLEY PETZOLD ‘Steering’ Toward Triumph Ag Kid Who Learned to Never Give Up Wins Big at Auction BY SCOTLYN OGLE K inley Petzold, a third-grader at Weatherford Christian School, became interested in showing livestock from listening to her parents’ yarns about their livestock show experiences. Kinley’s parents, Clint and Kasey, both showed steers when they were younger, so to keep it in the family, they got Kinley started at the age of 4 by showing pigs through the Peaster 4-H C lub.  By age 6, she was already showing steers, and plans soon to join the 4-H program that Weatherford Christian is developing.  Currently keeping her hands full, Kinley is raising five steers, a goat, two pigs, and a horse.  “My favorites right now are goats because they are my first ones,” said Kinley. “I will be showing a goat at the State Fair of Texas this fall.” The State Fair will be her first competition in a major livestock show.  92 Even though Kinley has fond memories of all her show animals, her favorite is showing her new baby steers, Mufasa and Scar, at the Battle of the Cattle Jackpot Show just a few weeks ago, because of her bonding and memo- ries with the two animals. Kinley also loves that she gets to meet new people and spend time with her family and friends through showing.  Now 8, Kinley has won multiple awards in her four-year career. She received Reserve Overall Grand Champion Steer for the second year in a row at the Parker County Youth Livestock Show. Her steer, Boynado, was the highest grossing steer in the Parker County Youth Livestock Auction at $8,500, plus add-ons from local businesses. Kinley also made the sale with her pigs the last two years, and her goat this year at the county show. To prepare her animals, she constantly rinses them, and combs and blow-dries them. Kinley also walks them and practices showing them every chance that she gets. “Showing has taught me to never give up,” said Kinley. Besides showing, Kinley also is on a competitive gymnastics team at the Impact Athletic Training Center in Aledo.  Kinley is also giving a lot of thought to her future career. “I either want to be a veterinarian or a gymnastics coach when I grow up,” said Kinley. “I love animals and gymnastics!” Her biggest inspiration throughout her show- ing career has been her parents because they both help her with anything she needs. It is a plus that they both have careers that revolve around the livestock industry.