‘Playa’ wins steer crown.
Victory by 1,283-pound Charolais stuns Anson boy, who’ll earn at least $75,000
It all started with more than 1,800 kids from 4-H clubs and FFA chapters throughout Texas believing the steers they raised over the past year could be the best.
It ended Friday night when 34 kids — each leading either the first- or second-place winners of 17 different breeds — made their way into NRG Stadium for the Junior Market Steer champion selection at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Jagger Horn, 15, was stunned when the judges slapped the flank of “Playa” — the easygoing 1,283-pound Charolais steer he has lovingly tended for more than a year.
“What’s going on?” he remembered saying. “This is awesome.”
That slap, given under the glare of the lights and surrounded by a crowd of more than 64,000 people at NRG Stadium, meant Playa was the grand champion steer at this year’s RodeoHouston.
Jagger, from Anson and a member of the Abilene school district’s FFA chapter, is guaranteed to be at least $75,000 richer after Saturday’s auction.
Stock Martin from Hereford won reserve grand champion and will take home a $40,000 prize with his steer, a 1,339-pound breed known as an “Other Cross.”
Leading Playa out of the stadium, Jagger said the com-
petition was tough this year.
“Just like it is every year here in Houston,” he added.
As he guided Playa back into the arena at NRG Center, someone told Jagger he should smile.
“I can’t do anything else,” he said.
“It’s all very exciting. This is the big time,” said Laramie Cass, 17, from Caldwell. He was leading “Monkey,” the reserve champion in the Brahman category. “This is the big game.”
Cass has shown lambs and goats at the livestock show for several years, but this is his first for steers.
“He’s a handful,” Cass said of Monkey, who weighed in Friday night at an impressive 1,394 pounds.
This is the last year Kennedy Gill VanBeek will be able to show cattle because in the fall he will be off to college in Colorado.
Her steer, an ABC breed named “King Dingaling” was the champion in its breed class before she stepped onto the stadium grounds.
“This is the farthest I’ve ever gotten,” said VanBeek, 18, from a tiny Panhandle town called Miami, which, she pointed out, is not pronounced like that other place in Florida.
“This is mind-blowing. It’s something I’ve dreamed of doing,” VanBeek said.
The overall winner is guaranteed to take home at least $75,000.
“Our goal is to make this the best possible experience for all our exhibitors,” said Allyson Tjoelker, executive director of the livestock show.
“This is the pinnacle of their show year. It’s the one they want to win the most,” Tjoelker said.
The judging took place in the main arena at the NRG Center. The overall muscling and fat content are among the traits that will determine the winner.
“You’re judging it for meat. You don’t want it to be too thin,” Tjoelker said.
At 11, Aniston Patschke of Lubbock was one of the youngest competitors. But “Red Hot,” her Maine Anjou was already the champion in its breed.
“It’s so amazing. I’ve never been in the stadium,” she said.