January 23, 2020
DENVER — Robyn Kelley Samsel, Cloverdale, Ind., was honored as the 2020 Hereford Herdsman of the Year at the National Hereford Show during the National Western Stock Show. After votes were cast by fellow Hereford …
DENVER — Robyn Kelley Samsel, Cloverdale, Ind., was honored as the 2020 Hereford Herdsman of the Year at the National Hereford Show during the National Western Stock Show. After votes were cast by fellow Hereford herdsmen and breeders, the award was announced prior to the selection of the grand champion polled Hereford female on Jan. 18.
Originally from Ennis, Texas, Samsel grew up on the show road and helped her family’s fitting business, which got its start in 1985.
For the past four years, this herdsman has spent countless hours in the showbarn helping grow Barber Ranch, which has exhibited impressive national champions and the most notably two-time supreme champion bull, BR Belle Air 6011.
She is known for always searching for the newest techniques to make sure cattle are presented to their individual perfection. She works passionately with junior exhibitors, and her trademark advice is telling them to have fun right before they go into the show ring. She enjoys being with people who love cattle as much as she does and is the quintessential Hereford herdsman.
“We have been very blessed to have her work with our cattle and kids,” says Mary Barber, matriarch of Barber Ranch. “She has such a passion for both. We have appreciated how she cares for and loves each of them as her own. Plus, she always goes the extra mile to attend to every little detail.”
Robyn and her husband, Ryan, met while stalling across from each other at junior nationals. Several years later, he proposed to her at the junior nationals and where married in 2007. Ryan and Robyn live in Cloverdale, Ind., where they own and operate Samsel Cattle Company.
Currently, Robyn splits her time between Indiana and Texas. She has helped prepare and show cattle for the family business, RCS, and has helped prepare national champions for KLD Show Cattle, Rockin W Ranch, Coyote Ridge, Rocking Chair Ranch, Worrell Enterprises and numerous others.
To view complete results of the 2019 National Western National Hereford Show visit Hereford.org.
