Clara Kowalski

Clara Kowalski: The Expo Edition

Your Expo Edition is Clara Kowalski the 2026 Grand Champion Crossbred Gilt at the Exposition. She and her gilt Minnie worked every night to dial in for The Exposition As Clara’s parents and Justin Gorman helped her clean, train, and work Minnie to the best of Clara’s ability. But Clara’s journey didn’t start there; her journey of work and resilience started because of her brother’s love for show pigs.

As she and her sister continued the tradition. Clara has not only loved the animals that she has gotten to show but the people by her side has been what has really made her career and she wouldn’t change a single thing about it.Clara got involved in the industry because of her brother. He is the reason Clara’s family started showing and is the reason Clara and her sister have continued that tradition ever since.

“My brother is the reason our family got involved with show pigs, as he fell in love after visiting our local county fair. From there on me and my sister took it to the next level and began jack-potting and showing across the country all year long.”

Clara fell in love with the community the swine industry offers.

“I love the animals, the work, the passion, and the traveling involved. However, the people are what made me truly fall in love with the show pig world.”

Clara has met many people who have become family to her over the years. She has found that the industry opens a world of lifelong friends and family.

“I’ve met people who I consider my family and I have met people I know will be in my life for years to come – and it’s all thanks to these animals! This industry helps you find the people that will be by your side no matter how many times you win or lose, and through rain or shine.”Clara owes a lot of her success to Justin Gorman; he has become one of her biggest influences over the years.

“I started working with Justin about 3 years ago and ever since then we have been an inseparable pair. He acts as my mentor, leader, and found family, always pushing me to be my best and he makes sure he does all that he can to make sure that I see the finish line. He prioritizes my goals and dreams above all else, and it is thanks to him that I have become such a hardworking and successful showman.” -Thank You

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned while showing livestock is that your only competition in life is the person in the mirror.”

Clara has always had to face one person.. HERSELF.

“It is easy to get wrapped up in the competition and become envious of those around you, but no matter who else is in the ring or how many other kids there are, the person you should be trying to outdo is the person you were the last time you stepped onto those shavings.”

“If you aren’t improving some aspect of yourself every time you perform – then you are cheating yourself out of success. This applies to everything in life, and is something that I have taken with me as I navigate competitive environments.”

With 15-20 pigs on feed at a time, Clara has noticed it can be hard to push herself in the barn every single day through all the long hours. “Balancing school, extracurriculars, clubs, a social life, and my animals has been challenging. But my passion and determination are what keep me walking into that barn day after day and doing what I love.”

Clara’s family is the reason she has been able to continue to play at the highest level.

“Without my parents’ endless time and energy towards my animals I never would have won more than a small jackpot in my home town.” They were there for Clara through the hard times, late nights, and long hours of training. “They support me to the end and always put my dreams and passions first. We always joke about how this industry takes a village, and it could not be more true. Their confidence and enthusiasm in my work has inspired me to work hard and do my best.”

The industry has not only given Clara a family but a home and a place.

“Beyond the banners and buckles, the swine industry has become my home. Almost every weekend I wake up in a different town, drive to a new barn, and from 6-12 I spend my day surrounded by my friends, family, and animals.”

“I love this industry and it has truly become a place where I feel I belong and am welcome!”This year at the 2026 Exposition Clara was named the 2026 Grand Champion Gilt which is a memory that has stuck with her forever.

“Minnie”

Preparing for a show the size of the exposition takes a lot. As one of the biggest shows of the year was approaching for Clara. She knew doing good would be hard and take a lot. But she continued to work as hard as possible in hopes it would pay off in the end-and it did!

“Going into the exposition, I had hope for my gilt,

“Minnie”

But by no means did I expect anything. The competition is top tier and I was only praying to get a call back and potentially make it to a drive. I had hope because Minnie had never lost a show, but nothing was guaranteed!” Minnie was one of a kind. She was special to Clara from the start; they had a special bond and Minnie was the epitome of a show gilt.

“She was a special pig ever since we got her. We bought her when she was very young as we saw something special in her and wanted to have a strong finish of my show career at expo. She was always doted on at home and she was a truly natural and good gilt, no electrolytes or fancy additives needed. We had a feeling she was special since the day we bought her. She was a truly beautiful piece of livestock and we treated her as such her whole life, always giving her the utmost care and attention.”

The preparation started at home as Clara and her family kept Minnie bedded deep in shaving and washed her every day. Clara and her family also tanned and painted Minnie often to keep her looking top notch.

“At the show, we worked hard to make sure she was cooled down and comfortable all week as she was used to a much colder climate compared to Iowa.”

When Clara unloaded in Des Moines she was determined and excited.

“I had never been to the show. I was so happy and nervous to be there, and I just really wanted to finish my show career strong.”The moment came and went as Clara won Grand Champion Gilt at the 2026 Exposition.“

When the judge picked me for champion, I felt both disbelief and relief. All of my hard work had paid off, and it didn’t feel real. I was so happy!”The moment happened and Clara immediately looked for Justin Gorman.

“He had helped me achieve such a win and had been by my side for the past several years. We work as a team and I’m always looking for him ringside as I know he is my biggest supporter and encouragement aside from my parents. We were all so happy!”

“I will never forget dancing with my family and friends back at the pens after the big win. We played Minnie’s hype song, “Power” and danced and sang so loud the whole barn could hear us. We turned that aisle into a dance floor!”After years of hard work that banner represented Clara’s commitment and passion for her animals and the industry.

“It’s insane and so lucky to win a show of that caliber, and if you told me a few months ago that I would win I never would have believed you. It represented my hard work, and it was worth the while!”

Clara wants every young showman to, “Never Give Up.”

“Consistency is better than quantity, and no matter how many times you lose, how many times you feel like giving up, it’s the people who continue fighting and continue working that end up on top. Never give up on your passions, and your hard work will pay off!”