It was quite a night for state lawmakers at the 23rd Annual 2026 Oklahoma Youth Expo Legislative and Celebrity Showmanship, which was held for the first time in the brand new O, G & E Coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds. A record 148 lawmakers and special guests were in the Coliseum, competing for showmanship honors in the four species that are on display at the Oklahoma Youth Expo- Hogs, Sheep, Goats and Cattle.
For the first time, OYE named four Grand Champions, one for each species to spread the bragging rights out in the House and Senate Chambers.
Starting the evening, dozens of hogs were being shown by lawmakers and more- the Grand Champion for the Hog Division was claimed by Senator Chuck Hall of Perry, the current Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Hall was working with Cheyenne Chuleewah of Pawnee FFA. Additional lawmakers singled out as champions in the hog ring included Representative Brad Boles (working with Brekkin Sieg of Central High FFA) and Senator Roland Pederson(working with Kyden Archuleta of Burlington FFA).
The Sheep division was next- and the Grand Champion named was State Rep Josh West of Grove, the House Majority Floor Leader- he was working with Makenna Zeder of Owasso FFA. Other Sheep Champions included Senator Carri Hicks of northwest Oklahoma City(working with Carmela Ruedy of Piedmont 4H) and State Representative Anthony Moore of Clinton(working with Adrianna Aikins of Cheyenne FFA).
The winners in the Goat Division includes Grand Champion State Rep Mark Lawson of Sapulpa- he was showing with Leo Enlow of Sapulpa FFA. Champions included Senator John Haste of Broken Arrow(showing with Kynadi Good of Broken Arrow FFA) and State Senator Darcy Jech of Kingfisher(showing with Corinne Pittman of Binger-Oney).
Finally- the best of the showman in the Steer division were topped by Grand Champion State Rep Trey Caldwell from Comanche County, the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Rep Caldwell was showing with Cierra Collins of Frederick FFA .The other Champions showing steers included Senator Warren Hamilton from southeastern Oklahoma(showing with Tinsley Hemmerling of McAlester FFA) and State Rep Steve Bashore of Miami (showing with Avery Dugan of Fairland FFA).
The Legislative/Celebrity Showmanship is an event designed to showcase the 4-H and FFA youth who are the heart of the Oklahoma Youth Expo and remind lawmakers that many of them are Oklahoma’s leaders of tomorrow.
Explore more about the 2026 Oklahoma Youth Expo by clicking here for the show’s website. The complete updated calendar can be seen here.
