As Lyla Sapp approached her freshman year at Davie County High School in North Carolina, she was searching for a passion. When she stepped foot inside the Davie County FFA barn, the environment quickly became a second home. Taking that step into a new environment wasn’t easy, but it spurred Sapp’s enthusiasm for taking a new hobby by the reins.
One thing that has remained constant for Sapp is her ever-growing love for caring and working with animals. Her agriculture background encouraged her to pick up some of the same hobbies as her parents.
“I have lived on a farm my whole life,” Sapp says. “My dad used to rodeo and team rope, and we have raised Longhorn cattle as long as I can remember. My mom also used to ride horses.”
Before she participated in FFA livestock events, Sapp had already introduced herself to the equestrian side of showmanship.
“I show horses for the Davie 4-H Club and am currently training a 5-year-old gelding to compete in the Hunter Jumpers at the District 4-H show next May of 2025,” Sapp says.
However, she wanted to expand her knowledge of other livestock breeds, too. She was able to do so after enrolling in the animal science program offered at her high school.
Show on the Road
The Davie County FFA Chapter has the opportunity to receive various livestock species for young high school individuals to practice showmanship. In the fall, advisors present their students with different breeds of sheep, such as Hampshires, Dorpers and Suffolks.
On the cattle side, Sapp enjoyed working with the Jersey heifers in the spring. With this, her drive toward improving her showmanship skills was significantly enhanced. “Once I was hooked, I had no intentions of stopping anytime soon,” she says.
However, this was no easy task. She quickly learned of the demanding work needed to improve her showmanship technique.
“Working with livestock is challenging and has taught me so many skills that are necessary for life,” Sapp says. “Animals are stubborn (and so am I), so it was even harder to accept the fact that I needed to be patient and work with the animal instead of just expecting it to be done for me. It has taught me hard work, determination and dedication.”
For Sapp, it’s more than just showing animals; it’s about growing as a leader and developing the skills she needs to inspire others to try something new.
“I have to be their leader because they know nothing except what I have taught them,” she says about her animals. Sapp strives to express this ideal inside and outside of the show arena, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t competitive.
In May 2024, she received two market goats that she showed at various fairs and jackpots throughout the summer.
“I have been working with them for multiple months, halter breaking them and getting them desensitized to humans and the showing environment,” she says. “Our main goal is to compete at the North Carolina State Fair in October.”
Sapp continues to pursue her passion and grows her list of showmanship skills through events provided by FFA.
