“Steer-ing” Toward Success - Briar Osborne Shines in 4-H

“Steer-ing” Toward Success

Briar Osborne Shines in 4-H

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

Getting kids involved in 4-H isn’t just a great idea—it’s one of the best things we can do to help them grow into confident, capable, and hard-working young adults. It’s where kids learn by doing, get their hands dirty (literally!), and walk away with real-world skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives.

Just ask Briar Osborne, a shining example of what hard work, dedication, and a little bit of show-ring swagger can lead to. Russell Independent is proud to celebrate Briar’s amazing accomplishments in livestock competitions at both the Kentucky State Fair and the Greenup County Fair!

Osborne had a banner year at the state level, bringing home some serious hardware:• 3rd Place – Crossbred Market Steer Class• Reserve Grand Champion – Kentucky Proud Crossbred Market Steer• Grand Champion – Junior Division Showmanship• Division Champion – Steer Showman• Grand Champion – Kentucky Proud Market Steer

That’s not just showing up—it’s showing OUT!

He kept the momentum going at the local level, racking up even more impressive wins. Briar’s step mother, Kimberly Osborne shared on FB, “Briar has worked incredibly hard, and I couldn't be prouder of him. He won the overall Harold Rice Memorial showmanship with steers today at the Greenup County Fair! This kid puts in the work and couldn’t be more deserving. GREAT job Bub!”

Check out this incredible young man’s accomplishments at the Kentucky State Fair…• 2nd Place – Market Steers• 2nd Place – Greenup County Market Beef (Born & Raised)• Grand Champion – 4-H Junior Beef Showmanship• Champion Showmanship – Harold Rice Memorial Overall Winner

Every one of these wins represents hours of hard work, early mornings, late nights, and the kind of dedication that 4-H is all about.

Bailee Miller, a close friend of Osbornes’, shared, “I just wanted to say how extremely proud I am of my good friend Briar. He has come so far since last year and it has been a blast seeing him and helping him progress through the year. He works harder than anyone else I know, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. I’m so very blessed to have a friend like Briar. This summer has been one of the best summers I’ve had—going to cattle shows together, hanging out in each other’s barns—and I’m sad that this season is coming to an end. Having you to support me and help me throughout this show season has made it 10 times easier on me, and I’m so very grateful.”

So, what makes 4-H so important? For starters, it teaches kids how to take responsibility, set goals, and follow through—even when it’s tough. It helps them build confidence, learn leadership, and develop communication skills they’ll use in school, work, and life.

And let’s be honest—there’s something special about seeing a kid take the lead in caring for an animal, preparing for a show, and then stepping into the ring ready to shine. It’s not just fun—it’s transformational.

Through 4-H, kids don’t just learn how to raise animals or grow plants. They learn how to believe in themselves, bounce back from setbacks, and take pride in a job well done. That’s the kind of education you can’t get from a textbook.

4-H also brings people together. Families, mentors, and friends all play a part in each member’s journey. It’s about teamwork, tradition, and a whole lot of cheering from the sidelines. The lessons learned—and the memories made—last a lifetime.

The city of Russell and the Russell Independent School system is beyond proud of Briar Osborne, not just for his long list of wins, but for the dedication and spirit he’s shown. He’s a true example of what makes 4-H such an incredible experience for young people.

So, let’s keep cheering on our youth, encouraging them to get involved, and supporting programs like 4-H that help shape the leaders of tomorrow—one show ring at a time.

Correction to Article:

The September 2, 2025 article “Steer-ing Toward Success” quoted Briar’s stepmother, Kimberly Osborne, not his mother, Catherine Moore.  

We sincerely apologize for the inaccurate information.