It was another record-breaking end to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
On the show's last day, the Grand Champion Steer sold for a record $310,000 at the Junior Sale of Champions.
This year's grand champion is a crossbred named Steve and was exhibited by Tristan Himes, 17, of Sterling City.
The previous record was set two years ago at the most recent Stock Show, when a Hereford named Cupid Shuffle sold for $300,000.
There was already electricity inside West Arena; and when auctioneer Doak Lambert announced that the record had been tied, a huge cheer went up among those in the overflow crowd.
And when The Steering Committee raised its paddle to up the bid to $310,000, history was made.
"Since 2006, we've tried to purchase a breed champ or reserve breed champion," says Dean Tetirick, representing The Steering Committee. "And I have a group of generous friends -- community minded -- and they came up with the idea that we should try for the grand champion this year."
Tetirick acknowledged afterwards that the group didn't expect to spend so much money on Steve.
"We exceeded our budget by a long ways," says Tetirick, "but we're happy we did it."
But the group was on a mission and wasn't about to let tens of thousands of dollars get in the way.
"You get caught up in the excitement of the moment," says Tetirick. "And one guy in our group was sitting behind me and he looked down at the guy with a paddle and he said, 'if you're not first you're last.'"
The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo never takes a cut of any sales -- every dime goes to the exhibitors.
Himes, whose college choices are down to Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, says he plans on using that money for his college tuition.
"I'm very blessed," says Himes, "and not many kids can say that their college is paid for when they're 17."
Tristan's mother, Kody Horwood, says she now has one less thing to worry about when it comes to Tristan's college education.
"That's huge," says Horwood. "It is just a big relief."
For Tristan, who belongs to Sterling City 4-H, showing the grand champion steer is a culmination of years of hard work that startedf when he was nine years old.
"We've been trying to win it for nine years straight now," says Tristan, "and it finally came together."
And raising Steve was a way of life.
"I spend more time with him than I do any of my friends," Tristan says.
Winning has been a way of life for Tristan in recent months -- he played on the Sterling City football team that won the 1A-Division 1 state championship this past season.
As for what The Steering Committee plans to do with its $310,000 steer?
"They asked if we can take it down to my ranch, but I don't have any place to keep it or anybody take care of it," says Tetirick, "so we're going to give it to the Fort Worth Zoo, if they'll take it."
And if the zoo can't take it?
"Well, I guess I'll have to find a place on the ranch," Tetirick says.
It looks like that's exactly what Tetirick will have to do because the Fort Worth Zoo tells KRLD that it has no room for Steve.
No matter where Steve ends up, Tristan will be sure to say hi every now and then.
"I won't be there every day, but I might come see him," Tristan says. "I'm gonna miss him."
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD