When Bobbie Vowell threw together a TikTok video of her 16-year-old daughter Madison showing a pig at the Rusk County Youth Project Show in Henderson, Texas, she never imagined it would go viral. The video featuring Big T, a Hampshire barrow, walking across the showring to the song “Pretty Girls Walk” by Big Boss Vette has already surpassed 12.2 million views.
“This is definitely the most comments and responses anyone in my family has ever gotten from a TikTok video. Who would have imagined?” says Madison Vowell of Kilgore, Texas.
@bobbie.vowell_44 ♬ Pretty Girls Walk - Big Boss Vette
She’s been showing pigs for over eight years and believes their TikTok videos have brought awareness to people around the world about different cultures and activities.
“It’s good for people to see how hard work can and does pay off when being consistent. I like the fact that it’s a ‘sport,’ but not the typical sport that people usually think of,” Vowell says. “I love when people can feel the intensity of the final moment. It’s what we all work so hard for.”
Vowell, a sophomore at Kilgore High School, enjoys learning and getting better at raising and showing pigs each year. She also values the friendships she’s made and the challenge of each new pig.
Shortly after Big T (which stands for Big Texas) went viral, Vowell posted a recap video and explained that her pig didn’t win the show because so many people asked. She also answered some of the 6,700-plus comments the video has received so far.
“I was hopeful people could understand the purpose of it all a little bit better,” she says. “I also wanted to let the world know that even though Big T wasn’t the grand champ at that show, we were extremely pleased about how he turned out. He walked well. He overcame a large hernia early on and we didn’t even think we would be able to compete with him. He did what we needed him to do. It was nice to see people from all over the world feel that same excitement we do. Raising livestock can be such a fun journey.”
Vowell and her sister Lillian are both members of Round Up 4-H of Rusk County and Kilgore FFA.
In the recap video, their mother says competing in livestock shows has been a great experience for her daughters.
“Without my family, none of this would be possible,” Vowell adds. “There are so many hands behind the scenes that make it possible for me to show nice hogs. Also, thank you to my 4-H chapter and FFA chapter for such wonderful programs.”
More from Farm Journal’s PORK:
No, Showing Livestock Isn’t Always Supposed to Be Fun
Why We Need More Youth to Speak Up About Ag
