The Big East Regional Youth and Jackpot Show returned to Eastern States Exposition (ESE) in West Springfield, Mass., May 2-4, accompanied by the New England Hereford Association’s Regional Show and the Northeast Highland Cattle Association (NEHCA) Spring Show & Gathering. This premier livestock event is held at ESE annually and features youth participation, jackpot shows and numerous other agricultural activities. In 2025, exhibitors hailed from 14 U.S. states and one Canadian province, and more than $20,000 in cash prizes were awarded to winners.
“The Big East is a gateway for young and aspiring agriculturalists to become familiar with Eastern States Exposition while learning showmanship, leadership and an appreciation for the beef industry,” said Elena Hovagimian, director of Agriculture at ESE. “It provides an opportunity for young people to showcase their skills, build lasting connections and practice teamwork and communication. We are helping develop a strong pipeline of future agricultural professionals and look forward to seeing many of these exhibitors every September at The Big E.”
Big East organizers partner with both the New England Hereford Association Show and NEHCA to create enriched programming that exists at the crossroads of interests for all parties.
NEHCA serves a diverse, member-driven organization of Highland cattle breeders from across the northeast that are interested in promoting Scottish Highland cattle, educating the public about the breed and aiding in preservation efforts. The group aims to create a fun and family-friendly environment in which exhibitors of all skill levels can converse, show and network. This year, their spring show took place from May 1-3 and culminated in a banquet, dinner and awards ceremony at Storrowton Tavern, also located on ESE’s grounds.
The Regional Hereford Show opens several valuable opportunities through the New England Hereford Association; this is the only chance that exhibitors have to qualify for national heifer shows in New England. participants with Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) status had the chance to have their winning documents verified and stamped to help them qualify for the national show. This year it featured 51 head, and the organization hosted their annual meeting and held a successful evening fundraiser to sustain the future of their mission. The show’s notoriety also attracted Kane Aegerter from Seward, Nebr., the director of Seedstock Marketing at American Hereford Association.
Overall, the four days of programming attracted 390 head of livestock across seven shows.
- Jackpot Heifer: 85
- Jackpot Steer: 42
- Youth Steer: 69
- Youth Hereford Steer: 9
- Youth Market Heifer: 4
- Youth Heifer: 121
- NEHCA Spring Show: 60
Additionally, 134 youths competed in showmanship and 50 youths participated in the skill-a-thon.
Noteworthy judges included Jeff Jackson of Walnut Springs, Tex., and Ernie Dominguez of Elgin, Tex. The results of the youth participant shows are as follows:
- Showmanship
- Overall: Madison Perkins of North Stonington, Conn.
- Youth Heifer: Maggie Johnston of Three Springs, Penn.
- Youth Market Heifer: Ashton Caron of Corrinna, Maine
- Youth Steer: Maggie Johnston of Three Springs, Penn.
- Jackpot Heifer: Ashton Caron of Corrinna, Maine
- Jackpot Steer: Maggie Johnston of Three Springs, Penn.
Beyond the competition, the Big East Regional Youth and Jackpot Show is a unifying event that invites patrons to come together for meals and lighthearted programming when long days of showing are done. For these reasons and more, it is a highly anticipated staple of the competitive livestock events calendar each year.