Welcome to the February 2023 Issue of SouthWest Horse Trader. Here’s an important reminder regarding Avian Flu and one of the reasons our egg prices are climbing to new highs. w
Highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, specifically, HPAI H5N1, sometimes commonly referred to as “bird flu,” is something that has affected almost everyone, whether they realize it or not.
This is the virus that is causing disruptions in the poultry industry, triggering a price increase on eggs and other poultry products in the grocery store not felt since the last time the U.S. experienced a major avian influenza outbreak in 2015.
But this time is different, according to Texas A&M AgriLife experts.
Martin Ficken, DVM, Ph.D., resident director at Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, Gonzales, is an expert in poultry diseases with an emphasis on HPAI. Below, he explains what makes this virus so devastating and what should be done if you think you have an infected flock.
It is a viral infection in the same class as human influenza and can present as a respiratory infection. Avian influenza has a high morbidity and mortality rate, approaching 100%. An infected bird will infect other birds very quickly, with death almost certain with 48 hours.
The virus has been spread around the country to every state in the U.S. except Hawaii by the wild bird population. They serve as carriers and spread it as they migrate. Poultry and other birds can pick up the virus particles via respiratory exposure as well as through feces.
Poultry can pick it up simply by being in the same space where an infected wild bird once stood. While avian influenza is of greater concern to commercial poultry producers, backyard flock owners can have birds become infected.
The virus thrives in cold weather. Previous outbreaks in the U.S. have subsided in summer months due to the heat, however, the most recent outbreak that began in 2021 did not.
The first thing people will likely notice is dead birds. They may also notice birds that are lethargic, have ruffled feathers or look depressed. Essentially, what you would imagine when you think of a sick bird. If people happen to see an infected bird while still alive, it will very likely die within hours to a day.
If producers suspect they have infected birds, the best thing to do is contact the TAHC, TVMDL or
their local Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent.
Anyone at those agencies can guide them through the appropriate next steps. A confirmed positive test triggers a series of regulatory processes.
The most important thing for anyone raising poultry is to be vigilant and strict with their biosecurity measures. Prevention is really the only treatment for avian influenza.
While it would be best not to let others on your poultry premise, if you must, make sure they follow all biosecurity protocols such as a change of clothes and shoes. It would also be best if producers didn’t visit other poultry premises and follow strict biosecurity guidelines themselves. Prevention and biosecurity are key factors in protecting flocks.
Texas has had three poultry premises test positive for birds with the virus, but at this time, none were commercial premises. Additionally, there have been a number of wild birds and zoo animals test positive in the state.
As of the beginning of February, on a nationwide basis, there have been 403 positive commercial poultry premises and 342 positive non-commercial premises in 47 states. Louisiana and West Virginia are the only two states to have only wild bird detections at this time. A total of 49 states have had 5,956 detections in 142 species of wild birds.
The high morbidity and mortality rate of the virus, coupled with depopulations for infected flocks, will continue to influence egg and poultry prices at the grocery store.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at this time, more than 58 million birds have been affected by avian influenza. As of January, the USDA Economic Research Service reports that over 43 million of those losses were in commercial egg-laying operations. When a major laying operation goes down, millions of eggs are no longer being added to the supply chain daily.
Additional information on avian influenza and biosecurity practices can be found here: tx.ag.AIandBiosecurity. w
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Backyard chickens are at risk of being exposed to avian influenza by infected wild birds that have stood on the same premises.
Jose Saavedra Garcia (MEX) riding Maximus were the winners of the Longines FEI Jumping World CupTM 2022/2023 in Puebla (MEX).
With just three horses remaining in the first round of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Puebla (MEX), it appeared as if there might be a jump-off of 4-fault performers.
Through 17 combinations, there was yet to be a clear effort over Marina Azevedo’s (BRA) 1.60m track. The group included to top ranked rider from Mexico, Nicolas Pizarro (MEX); defending champions Manuel Gonzales Dufrane (MEX) and Hortensia van de Leeuwerk; and the current national champions of Mexico, Federico Fernandez (MEX) and Davidoff.
Then Jose Saavedra Garcia (MEX) entered the arena for his World Cup debut and kept all of the jumps up. No one else could replicate the feat, giving the 24-yearold and his 13-year-old stallion Maximus took a memorable victory.
Gonzales Dufrane finished second (4/76.65), with Saavedra Garcia’s coach, Arturo Parada Vallejo (MEX) and Bacot
third (4/77.50).
“I’ve been riding [Maximus] for about a year, and I’m really excited to win my first World Cup,” Saavedra Garcia said. “There were points where things didn’t come up just right [on course], but my horse helped me out, and he was incredible.”
Saavedra Garcia has hopes to earn a place on Mexico’s team for the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo (DOM) this summer.
“Since I rode my first round with this horse, I knew we could do something amazing,” he said.
Daniel Coyle (IRL) maintains the lead in the North American League standings with 66 points. Conor Swail (IRL) remains second (56 points), and Daniel Bluman (ISR) is third (ISR). The 20222023 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League concludes at Ocala (USA) on March 19. w
"From the moment I jumped the first fence, I knew my horse was going to have a great round, so I just had fun."Jose Saavedra Garcia (MEX) Contributed by Catie Staszak
Koby Radley has had many career successes in bull riding, but his win at Bulls’ Night Out at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is a well-timed one.
Radley, who calls Montpelier, LA, home, qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) as one of the top 15 bull riders in the country in 2018 and 2019. Injuries and the reduced rodeo schedule in the height of the pandemic kept him mostly out of competition in 2020 and 2021.
He started a comeback last season with wins at two Florida rodeos in the spring and was ranked in the top 20 in mid-July but dropped to 39th by the end of the season.
The three-time Mississippi high school bull riding champion and winner of the International Finals Youth Rodeo the summer before he started his professional career is ready for banner year in 2023 and he made a good start in Fort Worth.
He was among the first 10 riders to compete and made a qualified ride but was offered a re-ride after his bull fell. The event format features four sections of 10 riders with the top 10 returning in a fifth section for a second bull.
Radley’s reride was featured in the second section and he made the most of the mulligan –scoring 86.5 points on Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s bull Armageddon. The score tied for fourth in the 80-man field. (Forty riders competed on Tuesday and 40 more on Wednesday nights.)
The highlight of the first round was the return to competition of seven-time world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey. Kimzey had been out of action since last June after having major surgery on his shoulder. He has been chasing the career record of eight bull riding world championships set by his friend Don Gay in the 1970s and 80s. Gay was behind the microphone as Kimzey returned to action in Dickies Arena. The capacity crowd was on its feet as Kimzey rode Big Rafter Rodeo’s bull Trunk Monkey for 89.5 points as the last rider in the first section.
No one could best Kimzey’s score in the long round and he came into the short round in first place. The cowboys rode in reverse order with the 10th best score riding first. Trey
Holston, the third to ride, qualified for his first NFR this past December and is one of the few individuals to have won a national junior high and a national high school rodeo championship. The Kansas cowboy rode Andrews Rodeo’s bull Wild Onion for 88 points to push his total score to 172.
Three riders later Radley was back in the spotlight. His ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s bull Johnny Thunder was half a point better than Holston and his total on two was 175.5. Jeff Askey of Athens, Texas, became the third rider to make two qualified rides on Wednesday with 81 points on 4L and Diamond S Rodeo’s Rodeo Stray.
Koby Radley won more than $14,600 with this 88.5-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo's bull Johnny Thunder to win FWSSR Bulls' Night Out
None of the three cowboys with the highest first round scores were able to stay aboard their bulls for eight seconds although Kimzey came close.
Radley won the short round and $4,500 and then added nearly $9,300 to his winnings by having the best total score. He earned a total of $14,605 – an amount that was more than one-fourth of his 2022 season earnings and bodes well for the 2023 season.
The junior bull riding which featured youngsters ages 10 to 15 had a nationwide flavor. Trig Smith of Canton, TX, won a trophy buckle and $500 with a score of 73 points. He edged out Callaway Wilson of Jackson Hole, WY (71) and Levi Minteer of Naples, NY (66) as well as three fellow Texans.
The big money winner in the South Point Arena was Cheyanne Guillory, from Kingston, OK, who collected $27,037. w
The 2023 Winter Slide kicked off the new year with great participation and anticipation for a bright show season. Entries represented 20 states and two Canadian provinces for the 12th show held January 26-29 at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
“It was a great Winter Slide,” said Pete Kyle, Winter Slide owner and manager. “We had tremendous support from our sponsors and a good representation of riders. It’s our goal to produce an event that is welcoming to all levels. By the turnout, it was a successful show.”
The Winter Slide offered a full slate of National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) approved classes including the Winter Side Open Derby, Cilantro Non Pro Derby, Markel Insurance Novice Horse Open Derby and Non Pro Derby for horses earning less than $10,000 as of January 1, 2023, and the Red River Equine Veterinary Services and Repo Center Non Pro Challenge for horses aged 8-years-old and older.
The Open Derby featured 121 entries across all levels with 19 competing in Level 4. Nathan Piper riding LG Hang Ten Dreams owned by Leonardo Guimaraes and Trevor Dare riding Wimpys Little Rubix, owned by Wesley Wetherell each marked a 75 to share Level 4 and the Markel Insurance Novice Horse Open Derby honors.
Hollywoods Dirty Sin, shown by Yonathan Baruch and owned by Randy Shepherd along with TR Silver Shine, shown by Dany
Tremblay and owned by Kelsey Flessner, each tied for third with 74.5.
It was a good day for Mary Riley Cachat whose two mounts, A Smalltown Trick and Spooks Show Biz – with just a half point difference – placed first and second, respectively in the Level 4 of the Cilantro Non Pro Derby. It was a one-two repeat in the Level 3 and Level 2 too. Mary who came from California to compete, won the Youth 14-18 with Spooks Show Biz and to top it all off, she saw her first snowfall in Ardmore.
There was a tie for the Markel Novice Horse between Jana Simmons, riding her horse Iv Got A Girl Crush and Ready Made Magnum ridden and owned by Timothy Long. Each scored a 73. Long also was the Level 1 Cilantro Non Pro Derby winner.
Wrapping up the last day of the 2023 Winter Slide was the Red River Equine Veterinary Services/Red River Repro Center Non Pro Challenge for horses aged eight and over.
Sorrel Brooks Schreibvogel and Sparkin Affairs and Rhea Pole riding Sparkys Shining tied for first in the Level 4, Level 3, Level 2 and Level 1 Non Pro Challenge, each marking a 73. Rhea also won the non pro and intermediate non pro with Leavetherestspooked.
This was Sorrel’s first time to compete in a non pro class. Earlier in the show, Sorrel won a youth high point award with Sparkin Affairs who is owned by her grandfather Randy Shepherd. Randy and Judy Shepherd sponsored the NRHA 13-and-under and 14-18 division high point award buckles.
Title sponsors of the 2023 Winter Slide include Tinker With Dreams “Cilantro” owned
by Diamond Dub Quarter Horses and managed by Fred and Dany Trembley, Markel Insurance and Red River Equine Veterinary Services and Red River Repro Center, owned by Carlton and Dr. Kris Crowe.
Additional results at winterslide.com. w
Championship Sunday at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo presented by Centura Health came to a close in the Denver Coliseum.
The winners were crowned based on how well they did during Sunday’s rodeo with the highest scores and fastest times in each event leaving as the champion. A sold-out crowd saw outstanding performances in each event.
It started with Garrett Shadbolt’s 89.5-point score in the bareback riding. The Merriman, Nebraska, resident rodeo Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s horse named On Second Thought for the title and earned a total of $6,181. It was a special win for Shadbolt who has been coming here nearly every year since joining the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 2018.
Clay Smith and Jake Long have each won team roping titles in the Denver Coliseum, but the one in 2023 was the first that they earned together. They had a picture perfect run at 3.9 seconds and left here with $6,821 each.
In the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, the win went to McDade, Texas, barrel racer Jimmie Smith and no one was more surprised at the outcome. Smith barely advanced to the semifinals out of her bracket, then was in the last spot to get to the finals.
\Riding her mare A Valiant Nicky “Nicky” she stopped the clock in 14.83 seconds, the fastest run of
the whole rodeo. Smith-Tew has ridden Nicky at outdoor rodeos most of the time, but with her success here, she may be changing her mind. They earned nearly $5,000. Stetson Wright added his name to the list of family members who have won here when he rode Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s horse named Ed Bishop for 90 points. His father, uncle and older brother all have their names in the National Western history books.
• Bareback Riding: Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, NE 89.5 points, $6,181
• Steer Wrestling: Jace Melvin, Fort Pierre, SD, 4.2 seconds, $4,758
• Team Roping: Clay Smith, Broken Bow, OK, and Jake Long, Coffeyville, KS, 3.9 seconds, $6,821
• Saddle Bronc Riding: Stetson Wright, Milford, UT, 90 points, $4,636
• Tie-down Roping: Riley Mason Webb, Denton, TX, 7.2 seconds, $4,782
• Barrel Racing: Jimmie Smith-Tew, McDade, TX, 14.83 seconds, $4,782
• Bull Riding: Bryce Burnell, Sheridan, WY, 91 points, $4,581
Other winners were Jace Melvin, from Fort Pierre, S.D., in the steer wres-
Seven individuals earned $10,000 paychecks at the 2023 Texas Champions Challenge rodeo in Dickies Arena Thursday night. The event featured winners from five iconic Texas rodeos in six events, plus four contestants in freestyle bullfighting.
The 126th edition of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (FWSSR) paid out $119,000 to 34 competitors in bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, breakaway roping, barrel racing, freestyle bullfighting and bull riding.
The format of the rodeo featured an elimination round in each event where five contestants competed. The top two returned almost immediately for a head-to-head round with the winner taking home $10,000 and a bottle of Fort Worth-based TX Whiskey. The runner-up received $4,000 and the three other contestants from the elimination round each received $1,000. In
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tling, Riley Webb, from Denton, Texas, in the tie-down roping and Bryce Burnell from Sheridan, Wyoming in the bull riding. Plans are already underway for the 118th National Western Stock Show in 2024, the best 16 days in January. w
Cont from page 10
the bullfighting, the two individuals who did not make the head-to-head round each received $1,500.
The event was also part of the first Texas A & M University day at the FWSSR and featured some of the 90-member Texas A & M Cavalry in the grand entry and an appearance by the school’s yell leaders to start the competition.
The first contest was bareback riding. Reigning world champion Jess Pope scored 86 points on Korkow Rodeos’ horse Ringworm. Jess’s younger brother Ty, the reigning collegiate champion, finished second with 85.5 points on Korkow’s Zoowee Mama to join his brother in the final round.
The two broke into big smiles when they realized they would be in a head-to-head match for the $10,000 prize. Ty was first to ride, and he scored 87 points on Brookman Rodeo’s horse 3:10 to Yuma. Jess rode another Brookman horse, Boozy Beaver, for 89 points. The Pope brothers took $14,000 back home to Garnett, Kansas, with Jess winning $10,000 and Ty $4,000.
Tristan Martin of Sulphur, Louisiana, was the only reigning Fort Worth Pro Rodeo Tournament champion to win his event at the Texas Champions Challenge. He clocked the only time under four seconds in steer wrestling – 3.97 – to win the elimination round, then bested fellow National Finals Rodeo (NFR) cowboy J.D. Struxness by three-tenths of a second in the final round.
Talking to broadcaster Pam Minnick in the spotlight on the Dickies Arena floor, Martin said, “I love this place. This is my favorite rodeo.”
That sentiment was seconded by saddle bronc riding winner Lefty Holman of Visalia, California. The newlywed finished second in the elimination round behind reigning world champion Sage Newman of Melstone, Montana. Newman scored 90.5 points on Mazca Pro Rodeo’s horse Ima Winner while Holman scored 87 on Korkow’s horse Meat Coma.
In the final round Holman and Newman both competed on horses from the Brookman string with Holman edging Newman 89 to 88.5. “This is the best rodeo all year,” Holman told former world champion turned broadcaster Dave Appleton.
2021 World Champion Barrel Racer Jordon Briggs of Tolar, Texas, and her horse Rollo stopped the clock in 16.662 seconds to win the elimination round. Two-time world champ Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi was second with a 16.961 time.
In the final round, Tonozzi changed horses and turned in a time of 16.902. Briggs again rode Rollo and won the $10,000 payout with 16.851.
Briggs told Minnick that the Fort Worth rodeo, then held in Will Rogers Coliseum, was her first big win in 2009. “I love this rodeo,” she said, “and Rollo and I will be back Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.”
Newly crowned world champion Martha Angelone dominated the breakaway roping. A Virginia native who now lives in Stephenville, Texas, Angelone set a near arena-record time of 1.87 seconds in the elimination round. The only other roper to connect was 2021 reserve world champ Shelby Boisjoli, a Canadian who also lives in Stephenville, with
a time of 12.15 -2.15 with a 10-second penalty.
Boisjoli again broke the barrier in the final round, giving Angelone plenty of room to make a solid run to win first. But Angelone again went all out, again stopping the clock in 1.87 seconds. The almost unbelievable feat proved the reigning champ is at the top of her game as the 2023 season gets into full swing.
Freestyle bullfighting returned to the Texas Champions Challenge for the second year. Californian Alex McWilliams and Canadian Aaron Mercer fought the first match, with McWilliams’ score of 81.5 moving him to the finals.
The second match featured four-time Bullfighters Only World Champion Weston Rutkowski of Haskell, Texas, and Tyler Mansell of Caldwell, Idaho. Rutkowski showed why he’s one of the best freestyle bullfighters in the world with a score of 87, three points better than Mansell.
McWilliams and Rutkowski fought a close duel in the final round with McWilliams scoring 86 points and Rutkowski earning 87.5 to win the event and $10,000.
The bull riding proved to be a two-man match. In the elimination round only NFR cowboys Trey Kimzey of Cheyenne, Oklahoma, and Josh Frost of Randlett, Utah, managed to stay on for the required eight seconds. Kimzey scored 85.5 points on Mazca Pro Rodeo’s bull Thunder Dome. Frost was a point behind at 84.5 on Brookman Rodeo’s bull Silver Tongue Devil.
They came back in the finals with Kimzey scoring 88 points on Brookman’s bull Devils Eye and Frost conquering Mazca’s Rock Salt & Nails for 90 points to win the event.
Frost voiced a sentiment that many cowboys and cowgirls have made since the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo moved to Dickies Arena in 2020 when he told Appleton and the crowd “Dickies Arena is the nicest arena I’ve ever rode in.” w
The $1.2 million FWSSR ProRodeo Tournament came to a rousing close on Saturday, February 4, in Dickies Arena.
No one was more excited to win their first championships at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo than bareback rider Rocker Steiner and barrel racer Jackie Ganter. Steiner, who calls nearby Weatherford home, made a 90-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Yipee Kibitz. This was the second matchup for Steiner and the bucking horse. The last time the two met, Steiner won the Calgary Stampede in Alberta last July riding, so the 19-year-old was super excited to get on the horse again.
The ride on Saturday added $20,000 to Steiner’s earnings. Prior to Fort Worth’s rodeo, he was 13th in the PRCA world standings. With his success in the brackets and the semifinals as well as the championship round, he added $27,080 which will give him a big boost on his way to his second consecutive Wrangler NFR qualification.
“This win is really special,” Steiner said. “It’s close to home, the fans are great, and I just love that horse.”
An emotional Jackie Ganter, from Abilene, TX, got the win in the barrel racing. Riding her great gelding Howes a Tycoon, she stopped the clock in 16.30 seconds, the same time that she had when she won the wildcard round. Ganter and Tycoon made four trips around the barrels to have the opportunity to run on Saturday. They watched as two-time FWSSR champion Hailey Kinsel stopped the clock in 16.35 seconds
Ganter and Tycoon earned $25,260 here. They were seventh in the world standings before and with their earnings here they will be very close to the number one spot. She has qualified for the NFR twice in 2015 and 2016. With her success here and her blazing fast horse, the former hunter-jumper equestrian is on track to make a third trip to Las Vegas this year.
Will Lummus, a college rodeo coach from Byhalia, MS, punched his ticket in the steer wrestling with a 4.1-second run. The horse he rode was Be Dun By Three, nicknamed “Benz”, owned by Clayton Hass. While this was a great rodeo for Lummus, who earned a total of $27,080 here, it was even better for Benz. Ty Erickson, Helena, MT also rode Benz and finished second. Benz earned $32,000 for his riders on Saturday night.
The saddle bronc riding ended in a tie, and it was a big one. Stetson Wright of Milford, UT and Dawson Hay from Wildwood, Alberta, each
Continued on page 22
The barrel racing at the 2023 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo finished with a Winn win. Sissy Winn of Corpus Christi was honored with the $5,000 Jerry Ann Taylor Best-Dressed Cowgirl Award at the FWSSR’s ProRodeo Tournament.
Winn and her horse AR Dash Ta Flame (Scoop) finished third in the Finals with a time of 16.42 seconds. She earned $8,000 for that round and a total of $13,760 in the competition plus the $5,000 bonus money for the Jerry Ann Taylor award. This is the second consecutive award for Winn. She received her second trophy bracelet from the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Scoop and Winn were the first horse and rider team to compete in Friday night’s Semi-final B, and they stopped the clock with the fastest time of the rodeo – 16.24 seconds.
“Winning the Jerry Ann Taylor award last year was such an honor,” Winn said. “I knew I wanted to try to win it again if I got the chance.”
The award is only given at the Wrangler NFR and at the Championship Round of the FWSSR. Once she knew she would be in the finals, she and her mother Melissa went to work on an outfit.
“My mom and I stayed up all night to finish this,” Winn said. This year’s outfit included a bright blue hat, a white shirt with blue and black sequin trim on the sleeves and jeans embellished with red, white and blue rhinestone stars and white rhinestone writing spelling out “Land of the free because of the brave” on the outside of the leg.
The petite blonde is a product of high school and rodeoing during college. She competed in barrel racing, breakaway roping, goat tying, cutting and pole bending, and qualified for the national junior high and high school finals seven times. She was the Texas high school all-around champion in 2013. She was named Miss Rodeo Texas Princess in 2011 and Miss Rodeo Texas Teen in 2015. While Winn attended Texas A & M and competed in rodeos, she was not a member of the NIRA. Instead she focused her rodeo efforts on professional rodeo.She graduated with honors from Texas A & M University in 2020 and qualified for her first NFR this past December.
Pam Minick, a National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame board member and honoree and former WPRA VP said the award is to encourage women in professional rodeo to continue the tradition of wearing colorful western attire in the rodeo arena.
The award is named for Taylor, a Hall of Fame honoree who was known for her flamboyant style. She was a trick rider and trick roper who entered the hall in 1986 and died in 2012. w
Contributed by Johna Cravens, FWSSR media Courtesy FWSSR by James Phifer Contributed by Susan Kanode, FWSSR media Courtesy FWSSR by James Phifer
Stetson Wright capped his Wrangler NFR season for the ages Saturday night.
Wright set the single-season PRCA earnings record ($927,940), all-around single-season record ($758,829), bull riding single-season record at $592,144 and bull riding earnings at the NFR at $271,545, counting ground money before 17,788 spectators at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.
“This year has been the best and the hardest year I have had in the PRCA,” said Wright, 23. “It started off really hot, moving to No. 1 in the world in broncs and bulls. And it kind of didn’t slow down from that point on. But I had a few injuries where I had to have surgery, sit out and miss some rodeos. When you are missing stuff like that, you don’t feel like you are doing your best. I had to learn a lot of patience. I had to trust everything my mom and dad said when I needed to sit out. I learned that if you wait and get healthy, you will do a lot better.”
The Milford Utah, cowboy now has seven career world championships – four in all-around (2019-22); two in bulls (2020 and 2022) and saddle bronc riding (2021).
Wright also placed in 15 out of the combined 20 rounds he competed in saddle bronc riding (seven) and bull riding (eight) at the Thomas & Mack Center. Wright finished fourth in the saddle bronc riding PRCA | RAM World Standings with $335,797.
“I didn’t think it was,” said Wright when asked about winning more than $900,000 in one season. “I feel like I have shocked myself a lot this year. It came with patience and trusting that everything would be all right. That was what this year was about.”
Wright was quick to point out he has no plans of taking his foot off the gas pedal.
“I love breaking my own records because that means I did better than I did the year before,” Wright said. “That’s my goal to be better. I feel like what I have done this year, I feel like I can do even better if I stay healthy and don’t miss anything. I really feel like I can do better and break more records.”
Caleb Smidt doubled his pleasure at the 2022 Wrangler NFR. The Bellville, Texas, cowboy won his fourth world title and fourth NFR average honor.
Smidt, a model of consistency, earned a PRCA tie-down roping single-season record $374,737. He also earned an NFR tie-down roping record of $225,221.
“It’s unbelievable. Just what I have accomplished is beyond my imagination,” Smidt said. “My belief in God and the horse I have, and my family pushed me to be better every day. It’s a tough sport to even do this. To leave your family in the summer to make it here is hard, and it’s a long 10 days here. It’s an unbelievable blessing to do this. And to have the success I have had and great friends I rope against every day who encourage me to be who I am, it’s amazing. I am happy for my family. They have been supporting me all week. I do it for them, for the fans and I give all the glory to God.”
Smidt won the average with an 82.5-second time on 10 head. He also won world and average titles in 2015, 2018, 2021-22. Smidt is tied with tie-down ropers Olin Young
(1959, 1962-63, 1971); Roy Cooper (1976, 1979, 1983, 1995); and Fred Whitfield (1991, 1997, 1999, 2002) for most NFR average wins.
“I don’t even think I would have a gold buckle without him,” said Smidt of his star horse Pockets. “That’s how good he is. The consistency he gives me every time I nod my head. It’s unbelievable. When I am back in there, and I know it’s all on me to win something, it’s pretty easy. I don’t have to worry about my horse. A lot of guys this week were switching horses to try to find something that works. When I ride on him, I know I have a chance. When you have a horse that does the exact same thing every time it gives you a chance. He’s going to do his job.”
Tyler Waguespack is no stranger to winning world championships –but his fourth world title on Saturday night was a bit improbable.
The favorites to win the world – Stetson Jorgensen and Will Lum-
Continued on page 18
mus – stumbled. Jorgensen received a no time in Round 10 and Lummus broke the barrier. In came Waguespack to win his fourth world title. Waguespack also was the world champ in 2016, 2018 and 2021 and 2022.
Waguespack finished atop the world standings with $268,881. He narrowly defeated Lummus who finished with $266,188. Waguespack split fourth in Round 10 (4.0 seconds) and was third in the average with a 57.1-second time on 10 head.
“I feel undeserving of this world title,” Waguespack said. “That was the craziest round of steer wrestling I have ever seen. Will Lummus bulldogged great all week long. The steer he had tonight actually took me out of the average earlier in the week that’s the steer I got the barrier on. I would have never thought that would happen. Will should be sitting here instead of me. I was the lucky one who came out on top at the end. That was one of the craziest rounds I have ever watched.”
Waguespack is joining some elite company in steer wrestling world title circles. Only Homer Pettigrew (six) and Luke Branquinho (five) have won more world titles than Waguespack. The Gonzales, La., cowboy is tied with four world titles with Ote Berry, Everett Bowman and Jim Bynum.
“This is so awesome,” Waguespack said, “I grew up watching all my heroes and dreaming about having one gold buckle, you know. Ote Berry is one of my biggest role models and biggest supporters and helped me out so much. I can’t wait to see him here in a little awhile because I have got the same amount he does, and I get to rub it in that I am still going so maybe one day I will get lucky and get one more on top of him.”
Canadian Zeke Thurston made it a hat trick on Saturday night.
Thurston won his third career gold buckle in 2022, thanks to earning a PRCA single-season saddle bronc riding record with $399,316. Thurston of Big Valley, Alberta, also won world titles in 2016 and 2019.
“This one was probably the hardest one I have ever had,” said Thurston of title No. 3. “I had to work for this one. The other 14 guys in the room are crazy talented and ride awesome. I had quite a bit of money to make up coming in here. I knew if I just made the best ride I could on every horse and kept placing in the rounds I would give myself a fighting chance. And that’s what I did. Having my family and everybody here, it is really cool. I have won a couple of others. To have them all here for this one is really special.”
Thurston earned an NFR saddle bronc riding record $256,078. He earned $74,150 for winning the average with 876.5 points on 10 head.
“I am not usually an average-kind-of guy,” Thurston said. “I darn sure didn’t come here with the mindset to win the average. When it comes down to it, it can make-or-break you. To be the guy leading it coming in, I would almost rather not have been in that position because it starts playing tricks on your mind. I just blocked it all out and went and made the best possible ride tonight.
Make it back-to-back for team ropers – header Kaleb Driggers and heeler Junior Nogueira – who won their second straight world championships.
Driggers/Nogueira finished atop their respective world standings with $340,708 each. They earned $112,830 each at the NFR and finished second in the average with a 71.4-second time on nine head.
“This is what we’ve always dreamed about, being here and winning a gold buckle,” Driggers said. “This week we had a lot of trials and tribulations. We had to overcome them. It didn’t go exactly as we planned.
Continued on page 21
Southbound Show Management kicked off its 2023 show season at Extraco Event Center in Waco, where the indoor facility offered a great escape from the Texas Winter. Next stop: Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Texas on April 26-30. Congratulations to Winter Festival Champions!
The Fort Worth Dressage Club is a club devoted to dressage and dressage activities for its members. We work throughout the year to provide educational opportunities and fun activities for our members.
FWDC holds monthly meetings 4th Monday of every month.
FWDC held its annual Awards Banquet and Silent Auction which benefits our Scholarship fund. We are very proud to recognize all our members achievements. Event was held at Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth and was a great success. Many members were recognized and also some special awards given. Members were generous in their bidding in our Silent auction and we raised a significant amount for our Scholarship Fund.
FWDC will also be doing a Zoom meeting with an Equine Dentist who is also a veterinarian in February. Check out the website at www.fortworthdressageclub.com for more information.
Up next in March is our USDF/USEF Recognized show at Somervell Expo in Glen Rose. Go to www.showsecretary.com for more information.
FWDC activities throughout the year include our annual awards banquet to recognize members achievements throughout the year, which also includes a silent auction to benefit our Scholarship fund, USDF/USEF Recognized show, schooling show, low cost clinic, pool party, video night and other dressage related activities. Check the calendar on the website or sign up for the group e-mail.
The group e-mails to members keeps them informed of club activities and other dressage events in the community. Let me know if you would like a dressage event known to other dressage enthusiasts and we will get the word out.
Join FWDC and learn more about the wonderful sport of dressage. We welcome all levels of riders on all breeds of horses! w
At the end of the day, we kept our faith in the Lord and our faith in each other and we persevered.”
Nogueira echoed his partner.
“It was one of the toughest finals (without winning a round), especially for me,” Nogueira said. “Kaleb did an amazing job of keeping me up. A great job. Perhaps, I just humbled myself a little bit, I guess. We had to fight through it. There’s nothing easy. We always compete against the best guys in the whole world, and they don’t make it easy on anyone. We were blessed to be good in average, and we really had to catch that last one, a tough steer. We were able to do it. And you have to give all the glory to God.”
The wait is over for Jess Pope. After finishing third and second in the world standings in 2020 and 2021, respectively, the Waverly, Kan., cowboy is a world champion in 2022.
“This is awesome. The emotions right now, there isn’t anything like them. It is just so rewarding. I worked my whole life for this, and it finally came true.
“I knew I had it in me. It was just letting the cards fall right and
drawing right where I was supposed to and doing what I was supposed to when I was. God’s plan, the way it was supposed to be I guess.”
Pope also won his third consecutive NFR average crown with 860 points on 10 head.
“Man, I was just showing up and taking it one horse at a time, being a cowboy,” he said. “When your day working or anything whatever you have in front of you, you have to do your job and that’s what I was able to do. This feels incredible.”
Hailey Kinsel concluded her 2022 season with her fourth world championship in five years.
The Texas cowgirl finished as the world standings leader with $302,172 to capture her latest world title. She also won world titles in 2018-2020.
“Oh gosh. This is so much to put into words,” Kinsel said. “(Sister) is amazing. I really don’t know how and why she loves this so much and wants to be better every time. She got stronger as the week went on. She came into the last two rounds like she could go 10 more. I felt really good that
Continued on page 24
Cont from page 14
had 90.5-point rides to win $16,000. They both rode horses from the Calgary Stampede. Wright got on Xena Warrior and Hay rode Tokyo Bubbles.
In the breakaway roping, Cheyanne Guillory caught the win with a 1.9-second run. The National Finals Breakaway Roping qualifier earned a total of $26,193 to take back home to Kingston, OK.
A Texan took the top spot in tie-down roping. Weston Hughes from Cameron stopped the clock in 7.4 seconds for the win. He earned a total of $25,200 here and said, “It couldn’t have happened at a better time.”
Andrew Ward from Edmond, OK, and his brother-in-law Buddy Hawkins II, who lives in Stephenville, TX, had the fastest team roping run of the night at 3.9 seconds. This is the second time Hawkins has won this rodeo. He also won it in 2014 roping with Drew Horner. Ward and Hawkins have roped together twice at the NFR.
The best two bull riders in the PRCA in 2022 took the top two places in bull riding. Reigning world champion Stetson Wright made the night’s first successful ride on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s bull Dances With Monsters to earn a score of 87.5 points. After a few other riders hit the dirt, 2022 reserve world champ Josh Frost tried his luck on Rafter G Rodeo’s High Brow Cat. Frost’s 90.5-point score gave him the FWSSR signature square trophy buckle. He took home $23,787. Wright added $18,347 in bull riding money to his winnings, boosting his total from Fort Worth to nearly $41,500.
The FWSSR is one of the big indoor rodeos that can jump start a contestant’s year. Plans are underway for the 127th FWSSR which will start on January 12. w
•Bareback Riding: Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, TX, $27,080
•Steer Wrestling: Will Lummus, Byhalia, MS, $27,080
•Breakaway Roping: Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, OK, $26,193
•Saddle Bronc Riding: (tie) Stetson Wright, Milford, UT, $23,080
•Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, Canada, $21,080
•Tie-Down Roping: Weston Hughes, Cameron, TX, $25,200
•Team Roping: Andrew Ward, Edmond, OK, and Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, TX, $26,200 each
•Barrel Racing: Jackie Ganter, Abilene, TX, $25,260
•Bull Riding: Josh Frost, Randlett, UT, $23,787
Contributed by Scott Robertson, TOML
Howdy! This month let’s talk about how cannabinoid products work within the body in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a major signaling system that exists in you and your animals. The system continually monitors any instability within the body and returns it to a state of balance or homeostasis so that the internal environment remains stable. CBD and other cannabinoids are compounds that activate this system. Cannabinoids, both naturally produced by the body via sleep (endogenous), and those supplemented from cannabis (exogenous), act as “keys” to these receptors, turning on a variety of functions.
Within the ECS there are two main cell receptors — CB1 and CB2.
CB1 receptors exist mainly in the brain and central nervous system.
• impact areas:
• appetite regulation
• memory, emotions
• feelings of pain.
CB2 receptors are concentrated in the gastrointestinal tract and peripheral nervous system (nerve cells outside the brain and spinal cord) and modulate immune cell functions.
• Impact areas:
• reduce inflammation.
• Anxiety and depression
• Insomnia
• Pain and inflammation
• obesity/increased appetite/ leptin resistance
• Metabolic syndrome/insulin resistance
• Immune deficiencies and autoimmune diseases
• Digestive disturbances/ulcers/colitis
If you have any questions about how or when to use cannabinoid products contact me directly at info@tomlusa.com or visit our website, www. tomlusa.com for more information and to also learn more about The PTSD Foundation of America. w
February 2023 SouthWest Horse Trader 21
Courtesy FWSSR by James Phifer Jackie Ganter & Howes A Tycoon
Having a stressed or sick pet is concerning, especially if diarrhea, gas, and digestive issues are present. A probiotic could ease those digestive issues, but there are some considerations that an owner should be aware of before choosing one.
Dr. Emily Gould, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, explores reasons for using probiotics and what makes a probiotic more effective.
Probiotics are supplemental, live bacteria found in certain foods or pills that generally improve gut health when there is too much harmful bacteria present. This irregularity of bacterial imbalances can be caused either by an intestinal disease or following the use of antibiotics.
For example, when a pet visits the veterinary clinic because of an illness, a veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to treat an infection. In addition to eliminating the bacteria making your furry friend sick, the antibiotics can also decrease beneficial bacteria, causing an imbalance in the digestive tract. Your pet may experience diarrhea as a result.
“The purpose of administering a probiotic would be to replenish ‘good bacteria’ in the pet’s gut in order to restore a healthier intestinal gut ecosystem, correcting the imbalance,” Gould said.
Because there are limited studies on probiotics in veterinary medicine, it can be difficult to decide which supplements are beneficial. The range of probiotics available offer different varieties, types, and amounts of good bacteria; while researching the best probiotic can take time, it will also benefit your pet in the long run.
“There are a few products that either have studies to show it benefits our veterinary patients, or veterinarians have enough experience with them to know they provide benefits,” Gould said. “For example, we think of probiotics with more different types of bacteria as being more balanced and in general ‘better’ probiotics to give. Increased diversity of good bacteria is associated with a better product.”
Probiotics should not cause any side effects as long as they are purchased from a reliable company that is known to be safe for pets, explained Gould.
For those whose pets are going through an elimination diet trial, a strict diet that slowly reintroduces foods to determine a pet’s allergies, Gould recommends looking at a probiotic’s label to make sure there is no flavoring. Probiotics from a reputable company will be of good quality and not have flavoring contamination.
“Many probiotic products will have animal protein flavoring or just not have good quality control during product manufacturing which can result in contamination,” Gould said. “This can definitely confound the effects of your food trial.”
Gould pointed out, however, that probiotics are supplements and will not treat other health issues. If there is chronic or severe vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in appetite, pet owners should take pets to their veterinarian to discuss the best solution.
“Although cats and dogs with chronic intestinal disorders might have symptoms that benefit from the probiotic, owners should know that probiotics are usually not a sole treatment,” Gould said. “Other diagnostics and therapeutics are usually necessary to find the root of the problem and treat it.”
Nevertheless, Gould says probiotics are great for pets with tummy troubles.
In the event your furry friend is having a tough time with their gut, talk to your veterinarian about different types of probiotics as a possible solution so that your pet can get back to feeling like themselves sooner. They might even thank you with a wagging tail! w
Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Direct suggestions for future topics to editor@cvm.tamu.edu
NFR - Cont from page 21
I could tell her we are quitting while we are ahead. It’s good to give her a day off as a reward when she’s done that well. She’s so special to me. She’s like family. All our horses are. It’s been an incredible time to be with these ladies. We have a wonderful group of women and amazing horses.”
Kinsel edged 2021 world champion Jordon Briggs, who finished with $274,520.
Zeke Thurston, the 2022 saddle bronc riding world champ, also was the RAM Top Gun Award winner. Thurston was the recipient of the honor for the first time in his career as he won the most money in a single event at the 2022 Wrangler NFR at $256,078.
Daily updates of news and results can be found on the PRCA’s official website, www.prorodeo.com. w
This month, I will start a multi part article on feeding and feeding stations for Livestock guardian dogs (LGDs). LGDs are extensively used in sheep flocks and goat herds to reduce the loss of livestock to predators. The LGD nutrition program is crucial to keep dogs healthy and capable to perform their roles. Additionally, LGDs that are not properly fed may predate themselves upon livestock and wildlife to manage proper nutrition. One of the common issues faced by producers, is to establish an efficient and cost-effective feeding method.
LGDs may respond differently in terms of feed protection behavior or resource guarding. Some dogs will protect their feed from non-target species, such as livestock and wildlife, and even other dogs. Others are passive and stand back, letting even lambs or kids (i.e., young goat under 1 year old) consume their feed. Dogs may snarl and sound very aggressive, but oftentimes this is just a threatening display and posturing toward the livestock.
For those who have daily interaction with their dogs, hand feeding is a feasible option. Bringing feed out to the LGDs’ location daily and placing it in a feeding bowl has several positive benefits:
• Allows regular socialization of the dog
• Allows frequent health checks
• Does not require an expensive feeder
• Usually results in very little non-target consumption of feed
This method requires the owner to train the dog(s) to come when called. This can be time consuming, and it may be difficult to locate the dog in large pastures. In addition, it is difficult to feed multiple dogs in several
locations. Much like finding horses on pasture when they are needed, it may be most efficient to have them trained so that they will be fed regularly (e.g., daily) at a certain place and time.
Many owners choose to use bulk feeders because LGDs can access them freely at any time. Using a self-feeder will keep the owner from having to be there at a specific time to feed their dogs. It also means there is always free-choice food available to the dog(s) so that they are rarely away from the flock or herd looking for food. Dominance issues among LGDs—regarding feed—may or may not be resolved with using self-feeders. Make sure to use a game camera at feeding stations to monitor if the dogs are resource guarding.
Self-feeders are commonly available at local farm supply stores. Feeders that hold 25 to 50 pounds are the most common. A feeder with a capacity that will hold enough kibble to feed the dog(s) until someone is able to return and refill it is needed. It is important not to place too much feed in the feeder, as it may spoil and attract insects—especially during rainy periods. If spoiled, feed must be discarded to avoid heath issues. Daily feed intake, temperature, humidity, and insect activity in specific areas and regions are major points to consider in determining the amount of feed that can effectively be stored in the feeder and still provide quality kibble to the LGD(s).
In certain conditions, it is helpful to use insecticide strips to keep insects from infesting the feeder. Insecticide application around the feeder, or approved insecticide strips placed inside the feeder, are common approaches to
control pests. Read the label to ensure that the product is safe to be placed near a food source for LGDs. Adding short legs to the bottom of the feeder to raise it off the ground and placing the legs of the feeder in containers of liquid, will also help to keep crawling pests away.
To improve the unit’s sturdiness and usability, a few modifications can be made by adding extra rivets on the rear panel, handles on the sides, a hasp and snap on the lid and hooks on the rear of self-feeders (Fig. 1).
We look forward to sharing our research with the ranching community over the next several years as the LGD bonding project continues at the Texas A&M AgriLife Center in San Angelo. Weekly progress of the puppies and the project can be viewed on our Facebook and Instagram accounts @TAMUlivestockguarddog. Don’t forget to sign up for our blog The Guardian Way sanangelo.tamu.edu/ research/lgd/ and check out our YouTube channel also. For questions regarding LGDs you can email me at bill.costanzo@ag.tamu.edu or call 325-657-7311. Look for the next article on Livestock Guardian Dogs in next month’s edition. w
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials confirmed equine infectious anemia (EIA) in seven Quarter Horses on a single Midland County premises. These are the first confirmed cases of EIA in Texas this year.
The horses were confirmed positive after testing was performed to meet regulatory requirements. The premises has been quarantined and will not be released until the TAHC’s requirements are met. TAHC staff are working closely with the owner and local veterinarian to monitor potentially exposed horses and implement biosecurity measures.
“These cases are a good reminder that EIA is present in our state, good biosecurity should always be a priority, and the importance of required EIA testing for equine event participation and congregation continues to be invaluable,” said Dr. Andy Schwartz, TAHC Executive Director and State Veterinarian. “Investigation of cases indicate that humans are often playing a role in the transmission of equine infectious anemia in Texas equine. The TAHC encourages strong sanitary practices along with disease education and awareness to help prevent further spread.”
EIA is an incurable, infectious viral disease spread through blood-to-blood contact, not through proximity or direct contact. The virus can be transmitted from an infected equine to an uninfected equine by biting flies. Additionally, people can aid in the transmission by using contaminated medical equipment, such as needles, syringes, IV sets and medications. When equipment is contaminated with blood from an infected horse it can spread the disease to healthy, unexposed horses when used again.
The most common clinical sign of acute EIA is fever, which often precedes the development of other signs. In chronic cases, symptoms such as weight loss, weakness, anemia, and swelling of the lower legs, chest and abdomen may occur. Veterinarians and producers play an important role in stopping the spread of EIA and other bloodborne equine diseases by reporting sick equine.
The TAHC would like to remind horse owners that all Texas equine participating in Texas events must have a negative EIA test, performed by a private veterinarian, within the past 12 months. Any additional Texas EIA cases this year will be posted on the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) website, www.equinediseasecc.org/alerts/outbreaks w
Rural Media Group announces today the official launch of The Cowgirl Channel, a new television network dedicated to women in western sports and the modern-day cowgirl. The Cowgirl Channel will officially launch in HD on Dish Network Channel 269 and on SLING in February of 2023. The new network will be offered as part of Dish Network’s “America’s Top 120 Package” to further the satellite company’s dedication to providing programming and services to rural America and those that love the rural lifestyle.
The Cowgirl Channel will primarily feature content around western sports for women, including barrel racing, breakaway roping, and women’s ranch rodeo. The new network will also feature programming around western fashion, western home design, and more. The initial television line-up will include the following series: Women’s Western Sports Roundup, Rodeo Queens, RanchHer, FarmHer, Grit & Grace, and more. The Cowgirl Channel will showcase the WPRA (Women’s Professional Rodeo Association), Cowgirl Hall of Fame, Art of the Cowgirl, and Cowgirl Gathering, along with work with many western associations to produce programming around special events such as Reining, Cutting, National High School Rodeo Association, the American Paint Horse Association, and more.
“Women of all ages participating in western sports and embracing the western lifestyle is experiencing explosive growth,” said Patrick Gottsch, Founder and President of Rural Media Group. “The popularity of this content on The Cowboy Channel is undeniable, and with so much original content and women’s events now being produced not only in the United States but all over the world, the launch of The Cowgirl Channel to go with The Cowboy Channel just makes sense. I am so excited about the initial feedback we are receiving from individuals and organizations who have worked so hard to develop opportunities for women and their love of horses over the years.”
The Cowgirl Channel will serve as the sister network to The Cowboy Channel, the official network of ProRodeo, and in addition to programming designed around the interests of cowgirls, will also provide Rural Media Group the opportunity to program more professional
rodeo and western sporting events. Together, The Cowboy Channel and The Cowgirl Channel will be the foundation for Rural Media Group’s effort to revolutionize western sports and invest in the future of the western lifestyle.
Headquarters for The Cowgirl Channel will be in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Rural Media Group is expanding its existing footprint, which includes The Cowboy Channel studios in the old auction barn, and is building out a devoted television studio for The Cowgirl Channel in the front entrance of the parent company’s office along the bricks of Exchange. Now, when visitors and viewers are in the Fort Worth Stockyards, they will have the opportunity to watch a live recording of a show for The Cowgirl Channel in one building and then see another show being recorded for The Cowboy Channel just down the street.
Live streaming + on demand for The Cowgirl Channel will be available by subscribing to Cowboy Channel+. Subscribers will now have access to live television network feeds for both The Cowboy Channel and The Cowgirl Channel, along with access to all on-demand content for both networks as part of one $9.99 monthly or $99.99 yearly subscription. The Cowgirl Channel will also be available through the SLING app on all supported devices.
More information about The Cowgirl Channel will continue to be released in the coming weeks. To stay up to date on future programming updates, news, and information, please sign up for The Cowgirl Channel newsletter at www.thecowgirlchannel.com.w
Records were smashed for a second consecutive year at the Jr. Sale of Champions held the final day of 2023 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Saturday, February 4. Generating $7.3 million in receipts –money raised by area individuals, business and foundations – the net proceeds of the auction eclipsed last year’s total by $1.2 million. Since the 2020 auction, the Jr. Sale of Champions revenues have increased by more than 35 percent.
“I’m continually amazed at the hard work our volunteers devote to supporting the youth of Texas,” said Stock Show President and General Manager Brad Barnes. “Their efforts underscore the tremendous generosity of the wonderful donors here in the Fort Worth area.”
The price paid for the Grand Champion Steer also blew last year’s amount – also a record – out of the water. Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services withstood all other bidders in the West Arena with their $440,000 nod for the European Crossbred steer owned by Sadie Wampler, a 4-H member from Canyon, Texas. The winning bid topped the 2022 grand champion steer price by an impressive $130,000. The Reserve Grand Champion was shown by Mason Grady, a 4-H member from Grandview, Texas. Grady’s steer was purchased by Hillwood for $200,000.
The Grand Champion Barrow, a Crossbred shown by Burkburnett, Texas FFA member, Brynn Fort, went for a fi-
nal bid of $120,000 from Rosenthal 1997 Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Penrose Group, Standard Meat Co. and Syracuse Sausage. Steven Luskey topped the bidding at $50,000 for the Reserve Grand Champion Barrow, exhibited by Kenley Krohn, a FFA member from Lamesa, Texas.
The Grand Champion Wether Lamb, a Medium Wool Crossbred shown by 4-H member Graham Newsom from Olton, Texas, was purchased by J. Bryan King, Caroline Carter King, Mary Katherine King and Gexpro Services for $75,000. Landrie Lain, a 4-H member from Weatherford, Texas, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Lamb that sold for $70,000. The Patrick O. Rayes Family Partnership purchased Lain’s Medium Wool Crossbred.
In wether goats, the Grand Champion was shown by Blaze Mock, a 4-H member from Comfort, Texas and sold for $40,000 to Test Equity, Gexpro Services, Distribution Solutions Group and Lawson Products. The Reserve Grand Champion Weather Goat was exhibited by Shepherd Silvers, a FFA member from Junction, Texas and fetched a winning bid of $17,500 from Susan and Stephen Butt.
The Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate, along with Women Steering Business, Band of Barrows, U Ol’ Goat Committee, Ladies on the Lamb, and the Tallest Hog at the Trough Syndicate were responsible for the purchase of all animals offered in the Junior Sale of Champions. best friends. w
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