✨ JR SPOTLIGHT: LONDON MATTHEWS ✨
A STORY OF HEART, HARD WORK & THE NEXT GENERATION OF SHOWMEN
👋 Getting to Know London Matthews
“My name is London Matthews, I'm fifteen years old, and my family and I live on a ranch about twenty minutes west of Olds, AB, where we raise purebred Angus cattle.
My parents have always been involved in the purebred side, but I quickly found myself drawn to the steer game. Six years ago, I bought my very first steer from Mark Piller. He wasn’t the most competitive calf — honestly, he was as tall as he was wide — but he was the one that sparked everything for me.
That calf taught me more than any banner ever could. He is the reason I fell in love with showing cattle, why I learned the value of daily work, and why I’m standing where I am today.”
🤎 What She Wishes She Knew Starting Out
“I still feel like I’m just beginning, but looking back, I wish I had understood the importance of building a relationship with my projects.
In my first few years, I didn’t spend enough time with my steers outside the basic chores. As I got older, I realized how much trust matters — knowing their habits, their do’s and don’ts, their comfort zone.
Now, my steers truly feel like my best friends. They’re my partners. Even if I lose in the ring, the time I spend with them doing what I love will always be a win.”
⭐ Mapleview Note:
This is one of the most powerful lessons juniors can learn. Success in the ring starts long before show day — it begins in the barn, with time, trust, and presence.
🔥 The Best Advice She’s Ever Received
“One of the most meaningful pieces of advice I’ve ever been given came from my biggest mentor and friend, Mark Piller. He told me:
‘Never let the things people say discourage you from achieving your goals. Use them to fuel your fire to succeed.’
This hits home for me because our industry talks — a lot. It happens in the barns, on social media, sometimes even in private messages. There’s always a rumour or a whisper about someone or something. You have to block it out, stay focused, and remember why you’re doing this.”
⭐ Mapleview Reflection:
I (Sam) believe this is so important.
In the barns, you don’t have to agree with the judge’s choice that day — but you do owe kindness, empathy, and respect to the winners and the ones who didn’t get the slap.
Be the shining light.
Carry yourself with class.
And remember: this industry is small, but reputations are loud.
🎧 London’s Pump-Up Song
London listens to every genre (seriously — every one), but after thinking it over, she chose:
“Just Keep Watching” by Tate McRae.
(Side note: this is also one of my pump-up songs too… so A+ choice.)
💪 Staying Confident in the Show Ring
“A tip that keeps me confident is staying optimistic about my animal. When you truly believe your project can succeed, you naturally find confidence in yourself.
Trust what you know. Trust how you’ve prepared. Trust your animal.
When you have confidence and hope in your livestock, the rest comes easier.”
👀 What Makes a Great Showman
“In my opinion, a showman who stands out is actually the one you don’t notice at first.
Calm. Smooth. Controlled.
Moving only when they need to, staying focused on their animal and the judge.
In showmanship, I try to keep my movements slow, deliberate, and well-paced. It’s not about being flashy — it’s about being consistent and in sync with your calf.”
🌟 Who Inspires London?
“Two people who have shaped me into the showman I am today are Mark Piller and Nat Grylls.
They have been with me since I was nine years old — helping me blow hair the correct direction, teaching me how to handle nerves, guiding me through every step of this journey.
From late-night phone calls for advice to hours spent in the barn or on the fitting mat together, they have become more than mentors. They’re family.”
⭐ Mapleview Note: The Power of Mentorship in This Industry
London’s words highlight one of the most important truths in the cattle world:
having the right mentor can completely change your path.
This industry is big, loud, competitive, and emotional — and it’s easy to feel lost or unsure some days. That’s why it matters so much to surround yourself with people who:
share your values
match your work ethic
lift you up instead of pulling you down
help you learn, while you help them
show you the “why,” not just the “how”
Find someone who aligns with your heart.
Find someone who pushes you, supports you, corrects you when needed, and celebrates your wins.
A strong mentor–mentee relationship can be the difference between burning out… and breaking through.
And this is exactly why Mapleview Livestock exists the way it does.
Our goal — always — is to be that olive branch for juniors.
Whether it’s your first calf or your tenth, whether you’re trying to figure out daily routines, feeding, hair work, showmanship, or nerves… we want to be the team you can lean on.
Someone you can call.
Someone you can trust.
Someone who believes in you while you learn to believe in yourself.
That is what this industry is about.
And London’s story is proof of how powerful a mentor can be.
🧰 How She Prepares One Week Before a Show
“If you know me, you know how much I hate being unprepared. A week before any show, I start organizing everything — supplies, halters, rakes, products, clothes.
I clean out the trailer, make lists, restock anything I’m low on, and double-check every detail. Being prepared calms my nerves and helps me stay focused.”
🤝 A Partnership That Taught Her A Lot — Pentagon Farm Centre
“One experience that truly shaped me was partnering with Pentagon Farm Centre. If you’ve ever walked by my stall, you’ve probably seen our tack box wrap or signage with their logo.
We started this partnership three years ago, and it has taught me SO much about agriculture beyond the show ring. I visit Brian Williams, the owner, and the staff always take time to teach me about tractors, equipment, and farming.
This partnership pushed me to think outside the box — to involve another sector of agriculture in a way that benefits both sides. I’m grateful every day for Brian and his team, the doors they’ve opened, and the support they’ve given me.”
⭐ Mapleview Reflection:
What London has done with Pentagon is the future of agriculture.
Branding. Media. Thinking outside the box.
Sharing your story beyond the show barn so more people understand this world.
If you tell your story to one person, they tell another — and that ripple effect matters.
🏆 Her Most Memorable Win
“Without question: Calgary Stampede 2024.
Stampede is surreal on its own — but winning the steer show was one of my lifelong dreams. My brother was on the halter when we got the slap, which made the moment even more special.
I rinsed that steer every day, fed him early, stayed late, and poured everything into him. He was my best friend. The emotions were overwhelming — happiness, disbelief, and the bittersweet feeling of knowing he would sell that night.
What made it even more meaningful was being surrounded by everyone I love. Every person who helped fit a leg, helped me show, or even loaned me a paint can contributed to that moment.
And I want to thank Mitch and Sam for everything they’ve done for me — the guidance, the support, and the opportunities to share my story.”
⭐ Mapleview Closing Thoughts ⭐
Why the Next Generation Gives Us Hope**
There’s a message circulating online — a speech about how agriculture raises kids right. It talks about loving what you do, staying motivated, avoiding resentment, and learning to “be a coffee bean” — meaning:
☕ Stay positive
☕ Influence your surroundings
☕ Don’t let bitterness harden you
☕ Bring out the best in others
This is why employers look to agriculture kids first.
Because this industry raises workers.
Leaders.
Problem-solvers.
Young people who show up early, stay late, and pour heart into everything they do.
London is a shining example of that.
And she reminds all of us of something important:
Never take any win — big or small — for granted.
There are juniors who would give anything for that banner.
Take a moment, breathe it in, and be grateful.
