This past weekend the Georgia National Fairgrounds was packed with over 2,000 exhibitors showing off over 3,500 steer at the Junior Livestock Show.

Among the attendees was one family with a proud spot in the event's history. Wes Pope was the winner of the very first Junior Livestock Show back in 1991, and now he’s passing along the tradition to his son.

Although Wes grew up in the hustle and bustle of the city he knew he was destined for a different type of lifestyle.

"I guess i grew up as kind of a country boy in the city as a skater and went to a country boy and it was the best transition i ever had in my life" says Wes.

When Wes was young, his mom married an extension agent in Harolson county and moved out to their farm. That's when he got his first steer.

"I started showing steer heifers in 88 and 89 and liked it so much I started doing it all the time and I've been doing it ever since" says Wes"

After a couple years of showing and learning the ropes he became champion of the very first Junior Livestock Show.

It was only natural that his own son Cal would follow in his footsteps.

"Our farm is my Great Granddaddies farm. He was there my Granddaddies farm my Daddies farm now I'm on the farm and now he'll be the 5th generation on the same place." says Wes.

From father to son, the keys to becoming a champion were passed along.

"The most important thing is homework and homework meaning you gotta do your work at home. This cattle just don't come into the world halter broke" says Wes.

"It's real fun to let him teach me how to do it. I learn a lot from him. He taught me how to set them up side by side head by tail. He taught me how to walk them, how to feed them, water them wash them" says Cal Pope.

Cal had his first show last fall but didn’t place. Since then he has been working hard earning him 4th out of 60 in showmanship with his steer earning 2nd out of 15 at this months show, making his father proud.

"Oh it's a great feeling! It's a great feeling to know that young people are following in your footsteps and that's what every parent hopes for" says Wes.

Wes says the fair has grow exponentially since he won in the early 90s going from about 400 heads of steer to over 3,500 this year.