I can still picture that afternoon in Reno, Nev.

I was preparing to enter the show ring with a heifer that had been competitive throughout the year. Like many exhibitors, I had invested countless hours into getting her ready for that moment. Standing at the gate with her halter in hand, my mind was focused on the same thing most young exhibitors think about before a big show — the outcome.

I was nervous, and Jarold Callahan could tell.

Anyone who knew Jarold understood the respect he commanded within the Angus breed. He wasn’t the type of person to hand out advice freely, nor was he someone who felt the need to fill every silence. But when Jarold spoke, people listened. His words carried weight because they were genuine, thoughtful and rooted in a lifetime of experience. His impact on the Angus breed can still be felt today, not only through the cattle he influenced, but through the people he helped shape.

As we waited to enter the ring, he offered a piece of advice that has stayed with me far longer than any show result ever has.

He told me that the banner and the ribbon didn’t really matter. What mattered was the people around me. What mattered was the relationships I had built and the people who had helped me get to that point. At the time, I listened, but I don’t think I fully understood what he meant.

Like many young people involved in the cattle industry, I measured success by accomplishments. Success looked like a championship banner hanging on the wall, a photograph taken after a big win or a recognition announced from a stage. Those achievements represented goals I had worked hard to accomplish, and I believed they were the moments that would define my experience.

As the years have passed, however, I have come to realize that Jarold was teaching me something much greater than the value of a show result.

The cattle industry has a unique way of bringing people together. Through shows, field days, leadership conferences and countless hours spent in the barn, we build relationships that often become the most meaningful parts of our lives. While cattle may be what first connect us, the friendships and mentorships we develop keep us invested in the industry for years to come.

When I look back on my time in the Angus breed, the moments that stand out most are rarely tied to a placing.

I remember the mentors who took time to answer questions and offer guidance. I remember families who welcomed me into their barns and treated me like one of their own. I remember friendships that were built during long days at cattle shows and strengthened through years of shared experiences. I remember the conversations, the laughter and the lessons learned from people who helped shape my journey.

Those memories have endured long after the excitement of a particular show has faded.

The older I get, the more I realize that accomplishments, while meaningful, are temporary. Another champion will eventually be selected. Another scholarship will be awarded. Another officer will be elected. Another record will be broken.

The spotlight always moves on. Relationships do not.

The people who invest in us, encourage us and help us grow leave an legacy that extends far beyond any banner or trophy. Their influence becomes part of who we are and often shapes how we invest in others.

One of the greatest strengths of the Angus breed has always been its people. Generation after generation, individuals have devoted their time, knowledge and energy to helping others succeed. Many of the lessons we carry with us throughout our lives were not learned in a show ring or classroom. They were learned through conversations with people who took the time to share their wisdom and perspective.

Jarold’s words have become more meaningful to me with each passing year because I have experienced firsthand what he was trying to teach me. The banners have been exciting. The accomplishments have been rewarding. I am grateful for every opportunity the Angus breed has provided me. But when I reflect on the experiences that have shaped me most, I don’t think about the banners hanging on a wall.

I think about the people. I think about the mentors who challenged me to be better. I think about the friends who celebrated successes and helped carry disappointments. I think about the countless individuals who invested in me without expecting anything in return. 

Those are the things that have truly made a difference.

Looking back, I have come to understand that Jarold wasn’t telling me that winning didn’t matter. He was reminding me that winning wasn’t the point. The banner was never the reward. The reward was the people. The friendships, the mentorships and the memories created through this industry are the things that truly last. Long after the banners have been packed away and the photographs have been stored in albums, those relationships remain.

Today, I remember that conversation far more clearly than I remember the outcome of that show. At the time, I thought Jarold was talking about that show. 

Looking back, I realize he was talking about life. The cattle may bring us together, but the people are the reason we stay.

And in the end, those are the things that matter most.