This month we shine our Sure Champ® spotlight on two accomplished exhibitors across multiple time zones who both enjoy showing multiple species. Meet Echo Bartels from Loma, Colorado and Austin Amick from Roanoke, Indiana. Both these young people have a passion for cattle and goats, but Austin prefers pigs, and Echo shows pigs as her third species.
They look up to their family members, are highly involved with their livestock and other activities. Additionally, they admit they love winning showmanship, both enjoy a major stock show with a laid-back atmosphere and appreciate a good jam session while they #PreptoWin.
Austin Amick & Echo Bartels
Let’s get to know more about Echo and Austin, their favorite Sure Champ and Vita Charge products and how they have been powering their champions.
Tell us about yourself.
AA: I’m Austin Amick. My dad is Andy Amick, and my mom is Andrea Amick. Currently, I am a sophomore at Huntington North High School. I got started showing from my older brother, Aaron. I play hockey for Leo High School, and I love hanging out with family and friends.
EB: I am Echo Bartels. I am 18 years old and a freshman attending Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington, Wyoming, but chose to stay home with online classes for the first semester. My parents are Maggie Repp and Rowdy Bartels. I started showing when I was 8 at our county fair, showing only sheep.
When I was about 11 or 12, I dedicated my life to showing stock and being the best I could be. When I was in the 8th grade, I decided to leave public school and go online so I could spend more hours in the barn. We now show cattle, sheep and goats on a competitive level. As a family we run some cattle and horses and also rodeo a bit. However, showing livestock is my passion.
What species/breeds do you show?
AA: I show goats, pigs and cattle. I show whatever breeds we end up with, but my favorite breed to show is Chesters.
EB: We show market sheep, goats and cattle. Sometimes we show some breeding stock.
Which Sure Champ® and Vita Charge® products do you use?
EB: We use a lot of Vita Charge Liquid Boost and Vita Charge Gel
What are the biggest benefits you have seen using our products?
AA: We have noticed that it makes our animals bounce back faster after a long ride on the trailer.
EB: When using the Vita Charge Gel and Liquid Boost we have seen our sheep, cattle and goats want to eat and drink better on the road. Their guts stay a little better, and they are healthier especially when we are drenching heavy or feeding to prepare for a show.
What is your favorite show and why?
AA: My favorite show is the NAILE because it is always so laid-back, and I have tons of time to hang out with friends.
EB: My favorite show is Arizona National because it is such a laid-back environment, and it is super competitive. They make sure it is exhibitor friendly and promote the youth and the agriculture industry.
What is your favorite pre-show ritual?
AA: I listen to Lose Yourself by Eminem because it gets me in the zone.
EB: My favorite pre-show ritual is turning on the speaker and jamming, while talking about the stock we are showing and what needs to be done.
What are your plans for the future?
AA: My plans are to become a fire fighter. I will work my 24 hours on for the fire department then do chiropractic work and/or hoof trimming work with my 48 hours off.
EB: I’m going to attend EWC for the next two years on a full ride judging scholarship and show one more year for my last run. Then, I will transfer to a 4-year college to get my animal science degree and go into embryology. If that doesn’t work, I’m also working on my real estate license now.
Who is your biggest role model and why?
AA: My biggest role model is my dad because he has taught me a lot of what I know, and he always supports me in what I love to do.
EB: My biggest role model is probably my mom. She’s not perfect, but she expects nothing less than perfect from me and is always willing to do whatever it takes. My second role model is the little group of kids we have started to help over the last year.
Whenever I doubt myself, they always remind me that they look up to me, and that keeps me on the right track. Thera are a ton more – way too many to name, but PD Miller has been a big part of our success in the cattle barn.
What is your favorite/greatest accomplishment?
AA: My favorite accomplishment is winning our county fair’s supreme showmanship contest.
EB: My favorite accomplishment is winning goat showmanship at Arizona National in 2022.
Did you have any special or major achievements that stand out?
AA: One of my major achievements is being a breed champion at the national level.
EB: I think as a family a win that is most special to us is my fifth overall market beef at the Colorado State Fair in 2022 – a white calf we called Slime. He was raised by Duello and sold by M Lazy Heart/PD Miller. My mom, dad and the M Lazy Heart crew got to be there. We had set a goal to be in the top 5 when they announced they would have one, and after a lot of hours of hard work, we accomplished it!
Also, my goat showmanship win at ANLS in 2022. I had set a goal when I attended my first ANLS to win showmanship, and a few years later after a lot of work and help I did it! As a family we take showmanship very seriously. I remember walking out of the ring, and my mom met me at the gate, gave me a hug, and I started bawling. It didn’t really all sink in that I had won showmanship at a major until a bit later when I called my dad to tell him had it had gone.
Congratulations, Austin & Echo!
We are proud of Austin Amick and Echo Bartels and their accomplishments with multiple species! The power their champions with products that contain AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility.
They use products from BioZyme to keep their animals’ digestive health on-point and to #PreptoWin. We know that 70% of immune response starts in the gut. Therefore, a healthy digestive system leads to a healthy animal.
The BioZyme Difference
BioZyme has always valued creating safe, accurate products that support champions. Our quality processes are some of the most rigorous and effective in our industry
In addition, our products are backed by over 65 years of research. We choose to invest in research so we can be forward-thinking and innovative while staying ahead in our commitment to Care that Comes Full Circle.
We are also committed to sharing our resources to make a difference through advocacy for the sustainability of agriculture along with animal and human well-being.
Looking for a Champion?
Are you looking for ways to power your next champion? Add Sure Champ or Vita Charge powered by Amaferm to their diet.
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