Texas youth showcased their champion steers to more than 64,000 RODEOHOUSTON® fans in NRG Stadium Friday, March 24, at the Junior Market Champion Steer Selection, just before the Dierks Bentley concert.
The Champion Charolais Steer of Show, shown by Jagger Horn, 15, of Anson, Texas, was named Overall Grand Champion. Jagger has shown livestock for seven years and has had a fair share of success, but he said winning Grand Champion at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo means the most to him.
“This means everything to me,” Jagger said. “This show is number one for youth. It’s amazing. It feels good to be supported doing something that I love.”
The Abilene FFA member said he was shocked when his steer, Playa, received the Grand Champion slap.
“I thought, ‘What just happened?’ and I couldn’t believe it,” Jagger said. “It’s an amazing honor to win.”
Stock Martin, 16, of Hereford, Texas exhibited the Overall Reserve Champion Junior Market Steer. The steer, named Magic, was selected from the Other Crossbred division. The Oldham County 4-H member said he puts a lot of time and effort into showing livestock, and his hard work finally paid off.
“It’s a great feeling,” Stock said. “We wake up at six, feed them and water them, then take them to the ring and show them.”
Stock has shown at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for eight years, and he said the friendship he and Jagger developed over the years makes this moment even more special.
“Jagger is one of my good buddies, so it feels great to be here with him,” Stock said. “And now I’m here. This is what you do it for.”
The Houston Livestock Show™ received a record 2,814 steer entries in 2017. The Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion steers, along with the top-placing steers in each breed division, will be sold at the Junior Market Steer Auction, Saturday, March 25, at noon in the NRG Arena Sales Pavilion.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $430 million to the youth of Texas. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest news. The 2017 Show runs through March 26.