Parker County Today PCT January 2019 | Page 99

PARKER COUNTY AG Kaegan O’Leary Seven-year-old Kaegan O’Leary lives on his family’s cattle ranch and someday wants to run his own ranch. Many generations have come before this Brock first grader, but for Kaegan, he does it for the fun of it. He has two older sisters, Maddie, 15, who currently shows steers and heifers and Gabby, 11, who has shown cattle in the past. “He is showing steers and heifers and started when he was five,” Kaegan’s mom, Maggie, said. “He has his own steer named Thunderstruck (named after the AC/DC’S song used at rodeos).” He bought his steer from his mentor, Brandon Horn from Anson, TX. “Brandon and his family raise cattle in Anson. He is very good at what he does and deeply cares for the animals and the kids he sells to,” she said. Photo By: Ari Edgmon “Kaegan and his family show at many local and state jackpot shows. In July 2018, he showed in a showmanship class at the Junior National Hereford Expo in Grand Island, Nebraska,” Maggie continued. “In Nebraska, he competed in the Pre-Peewee Showmanship. As he entered the ring, he tripped and fell down, but he didn’t let go of his heifer, or lose his cowboy hat.” Kaegan’s “whoopsie” recovery shows we have a true winner in the making. Kaegan is a member of Spring Creek 4-H, Brock FFA, and National Junior Hereford Association. His favorite things to do at meetings? Is eating and spending time with his friends. “I like eating pizza at meetings and doing fun things at meetings,” Kaegan said. When asked what he likes the most about showing, he says: “The places I go and seeing my friends.” So far, he says taking care of the animals is “all fun to me.” Aside from his grooming to become a rancher, he enjoys playing outside with the family dogs, Cooper, Gus and Emma, as well as playing with farm toys and Legos. Asked where his inspiration comes from and his mom answers with one word: “Food.” No kid- ding, he asks what is for dinner a day in advance,” she said. Kaegan is also very much inspired by his teacher, Mrs. Libby Roberts. SPONSOREd BY FOR ALL YOUR FARM & RANCH, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE NEEDS [email protected] Specializing in Parker County Commercial Real Estate 817-538-6846 JIM MARTIN 97