What began as a simple idea to show a pig at the Lake County Fair became something much bigger for 13-year-old Olivia Echevarria.

Olivia, who is homeschooled and shows through Umatilla Middle School, says she first got involved last year.

“I just jumped into FFA and people were showing livestock and pigs were very popular,” Olivia says. “I thought I would go with that and just see how it goes.”

Olivia was coming out of a painful stretch at the time. She had endured significant bullying at the end of elementary school and the beginning of middle school. It eventually led the family to withdraw her from school and begin homeschooling.

“I was having a pretty bad time but that all changed when I started showing pigs,” she says.

Her father, Pablo, says the change in his daughter has been remarkable.

“It’s taken her from a very dark place to light,” he says. 

Olivia bought her first fair pig and began working with it at home for four months before showing. She learned how to bathe, clip and brush the pig and then present it in both showmanship and market classes.

“Showmanship is like based off of you and how you look and how you present yourself,” Olivia says. “And then market show is based off how the pig looks.”

In her first year, Olivia placed in showmanship, earned multiple banners in the Florida Junior Swine Circuit Fall Winter Circuit and also took 2nd place in skill-a-thon at the Lake County Fair.

Pablo says Olivia finished sixth overall in the light cross market class out of 45 competitors and 12th overall in the showmanship class against 83 competitors.

“The competition at the circuit level is extremely tough,” he says. “To even end up in that position her first year, it’s just a testament to her work.”

For Olivia, the biggest change has been internal.

“I’ve gained a lot of confidence that I didn’t think I’d get from it,” she says. “I’m totally committed to it now.”

She has secured eight sponsors for the 2026 series and says she plans to continue showing, possibly pursue veterinary school and keep building on the self-confidence the pigs helped restore in her.

Olivia plans to compete again this year in the full Florida Junior Swine Circuit, a demanding schedule that includes roughly 15 circuit shows along with additional jackpot shows throughout the summer. The commitment requires long weekends, travel across the state and hours of daily work with her pigs, but it’s something she has fully embraced. 

Her parents, Pablo and Allison, have been by her side every step of the way, supporting both the emotional and financial demands of the sport. From investing in equipment like a trailer to helping her connect with sponsors and manage partnerships, they’ve made it a family effort. 

Pablo says once they saw her passion and growth, there was no question. Whatever they have had to do, they were determined to make happen and they will keep on that path for Olivia.

“She has a great passion for the pigs,” Pablo says. “It’s been a really cool thing to watch her blossom.”   

Photos: Cindy Peterson