It was standing room only in the Sales Pavilion in NRG Arena for the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Junior Market Steer Auction. The Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Jr. Market Steers sold for more than $600,000.
2025 Jr. Market Steer Champions:
- Grand Champion– Jacob Schickedanz, Ochiltree County 4-H, $675,000
- Reserve Grand Champion – Jett Hale, Miami FFA, $690,000
Donors:
- Grand Champion– Jacob Schickedanz
- Sally Flores
- Belinda Flores Young
- Chay Flores Taylor
Donating in Memory of Rigo Flores, Sr.
- Reserve Grand Champion – Jett Hale
- The Champagne Cowgirls
- The Tutcher Family Foundation
Jacob Schickendanz, a 16-year-old sophomore from Perryton, Texas, exhibited the Grand Champion black crossbred steer, Kareem, which sold for $675,000.
The straight-A student, powerlifter and avid hunter plans to attend Texas A&M University. The opening bid of $50,000 was placed by Congressman Jake Ellzey, a longtime friend of the Schickendanz family.
“[The judge] looked at [my steer] when the Reserve Grand Champions were walking around,” Jacob said. “I thought maybe I had a shot then.”
Donor Chay Flores-Taylor said supporting the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was important to their late father, and the tradition is carried on by the rest of the family. “He loved this [Show],” Flores-Taylor said. “He loved the opportunities it provides. We just want to keep his memory going.”
Jett Hale, a 17-year-old junior from Miami, Texas, exhibited the Reserve Champion, which was a Charolais Cross steer named Mike, sold for $690,000, a Rodeo record.
“I don’t think people understand how much time, effort and money people put into these things,” Jett said. “You got to work with them every day and try to keep them going so people can present them like this.”
The purchase held special meaning for donors Ellie Francisco and the Champagne Cowgirls, who also bought Jett’s Reserve Champion steer seven years ago when he was just 10. “[Jett] came up to us and said ‘Please, can you send me the hide?’ So, we mailed him the hide back,” Francisco said. “When he got reserve last night, we were very, very excited.”
About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $630 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2025 Rodeo is scheduled for March 4 – March 23. The 2025 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 27 – March 1. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and follow @RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.