Despite the long hours and learning curves,  Landon and his mom were determined. Each weekend on the circuit became a new lesson not just about sheep, but hard work and perseverance.

“Over the years, we have shown on the Indiana Junior Club Lamb Circuit, some Ohio Showbox Society shows, our county and state fairs, the All-American Junior Show, Aksarben, American Royal, and the Arizona National Stock Show. This year, we also plan to attend the National Western Stock Show. My show experiences have been evolving, and I feel like we are learning more each year.”

The industry has shaped Landon’s life in countless ways – from friendships and mentors to opportunities that continue to inspire his future.

“I feel like this industry has provided opportunities to meet livestock people and develop friendships with people who are literally some of my favorite people in the world. Following their lead, I have doubled-down on the importance of effort, attitude, energy, and attention to detail with each animal. This industry has been the vehicle for learning those skills, which will be applied throughout my life.”

The people in Landon’s life have truly shaped who he is today.  His mom has been the backbone of his showing career but his stepdad and Ethan Bontrager has been some of his biggest supporters.

“There have been so many people during different stages of my showing career, who have offered their support, advice, and encouragement, and I have had the opportunity to build lifelong friendships with them. My mom has been the driving force behind my showing. My step-dad has also always supported me from behind the scenes and been a very important part of our team. Without a doubt, Ethan Bontrager has helped me understand the intense focus that is required in order to try to achieve the goals I have set for myself. His support and guidance have been and continue to be a valuable asset in my life.”

Of course his mom, stepdad and Ethen have been foundational, but Landon has also drawn inspiration from role models within the industry.

“As far as role models, I also really look up to people in this industry who produce livestock and compete with their livestock at a very high level while simultaneously holding high positions in other areas of agriculture. Among others, people such as Megan Hobbs and Dr. Rob Jackman. Although I am sure they don’t know it, those are two individuals who I have admired and held as role models for many years.”

As Landon has shown he has gotten the opportunity to experience some incredible experiences that are like none other.

“The first huge experience I had was going to NAILE for the first time.  We took a Dorset wether named “Cruz” when I was 7 years old, he was the Reserve Champion Dorset. The first time showing on the dirt in the coliseum at the Indiana State Fair with my Dorset ewe, “Ruby”, was another early experience with my family that I will always remember.  The opportunities over the years to walk across from the sheep barn to the coliseum with the other exhibitors at the Indiana State Fair is always a really special experience. More recently, our trips to Kansas City, Louisville, and Phoenix have been truly awesome. I am so grateful for those opportunities, but the absolute best experiences at these shows have been all of the relationships with friends giving support and all of us helping each other. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

Landon had an incredible experience at the 2025 Aksarben where he had the opportunity of showing the Grand Champion Market lamb. So I asked Landon “how did your past Aksarben experiences make winning even more incredible.”

“Aksarben was already very special to us from our experience there in 2023 when we had a Dorset wether that was 5th overall, and I placed 6th overall in the Aksarben Livestock Judging Contest that same year.  To answer the question of how our past Aksarben experiences made the moment of winning this year even more incredible could be that our experience there in 2024 did not go as well as we had hoped.  So this year, coming back stronger was a great feeling!”

Rocky, the lamb that made one of Landon’s dreams come true. From the waiting process to the long nights of preparation, this lamb ended up making Aksarben one to remember.

“We were excited about “Rocky” from the moment we brought him to the barn, but we knew that his preparation would be slow and steady, and he wouldn’t be at his ‘twelve o’clock’ yet at our state fair. His sweet spot would be the fall shows. Patience was key during the months of preparation. During that time, his exercise included time on the walker and treadmill. He also walked up and down grass hills on our farm and ran in an exercise pen outside. His nutrition was a priority as we studied his growth and made crucial adjustments when necessary.  We routinely conditioned and monitored his leg wool, which is a regimen that is significant for all of our lambs.”

“While I was in the ring during the grand drive, I was trying to execute the advice that was given to me before I went in with him. I was hoping that I was presenting Rocky in a way that would please the people who support me and help me. When we won, it felt like a pinnacle moment that I will never forget. All of the months of patience, planning, and collaboration with Ethan, Colin, and Austin were unfolding just the way we had hoped.

Landon hopes to continue chasing his dreams with his amazing team. But as he grows even more in this industry he hopes to be involved through ag business and livestock judging. As well as continuing to work with the amazing people in this industry.

“I have set high goals for myself and our team as we continue the grind in the barn with lambs for upcoming fall and winter shows. We look forward to traveling and presenting them at their best in the coming months. In the longer term, I do want to continue to be involved in the industry through livestock judging and ag business. I hope to accomplish a continuance of networking with people who have helped shape me. I believe the livestock industry contains people with very unique passions and skill sets. I have a strong desire to develop my future within that circle. I hope to use my appreciation for the industry to continue to improve it for young showmen and fuel the enthusiasm for it.”

Landon’s biggest piece of advice

“Let your devotion to this industry build as you keep striving and never give up. We started at square 1 with showing sheep when I was 7 years old and thought it would be nearly impossible to show at the same level as many families who we admired. From then until now, we have reached high and dug deep, even when it has been really difficult. During those years, my devotion to this industry was being built. I am so glad that I never gave up. 

We recently reached a destination, winning the Aksarben Market Lamb Show, and that was definitely a goal. Enduring the process during many years of effort to get to that destination made that win so much sweeter!”

 ” Advice: Enjoy and endure the process while on the road to the destination!”

As we all know, showing is a mental game, so I asked Landon what he does to get in the right mindset before hitting the ring.

“I want to be better each time in the ring, and there is so much practice for each unique lamb.  So, I try to prepare by thinking about all of our practice leading to that class and think about the advice given to me for showing that particular lamb. I mentally prepare to try to be smooth with the animal and have finesse so that my movements aren’t taking away from the strengths and quality of the lamb……. And most of all FOCUS.”