Cheers erupted from the crowd in NRG Stadium when the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Junior Market Steers were selected for the 2018 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. After evaluating more than 1,700 steers, judge Jack Ward named the top two Friday night in front of more than 75,000 RODEOHOUSTON® fans.
Allen FFA member Cameron Conkle, 17, exhibited the Grand Champion Junior Market Steer. Cameron, a resident of Allen, Texas, said this is only his third year showing and his first time to show at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Winning tonight with his Charolais steer, Loki, was the best feeling, Cameron said.
“It is hard to explain how I’m feeling, I’m just so choked up,” Cameron said. “The long days at the barn paid off.”
Roberts County 4-H member Jett Hale, 10, of Miami, Texas, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Junior Market Steer. Jett said it was his second time showing in Houston and he was very excited to win with his Black Cross steer, Pickles.
When asked how he prepared for the Show, Jett said, “I go to school and then come home and I work with him [Pickles] setting him up.”
The Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion steers will sell in the Junior Market Steer Auction, Saturday, March 17, at noon. More than 400 steers qualified for the auction in 2018. The auction is open to the public and will be held in the NRG Arena Sales Pavilion.