Grand Champion Steer, STate Fair of Texas 2011

19. Oct, 2011 1 Comment

October 6, young exhibitors from all over Texas competed for big wins at the 2011 State Fair of Texas Youth Market Steer Show.
Jack Ward, official judge of the 2011 Market Steer Show, evaluated 16 classes of market steers. Laramie Priest a senior of McLennan County 4-H showed the 1,265-pound, Exotic Grand Champion Youth Market Steer.
Laramie said he had been nervous all day while waiting to show his steer and was ecstatic that all of his hard work paid off.
“I get butterflies going immediately when you walk through the doors of the barn,” Laramie said. “It’s an adrenaline rush when you are here.”
From getting up at 6:30 a.m. to feed his animal, to his after school routine of washing, walking, brushing and feeding, Laramie has dedicated long hours to get to this place.
Patti Priest, Laramie’s mother and cheerleader from Lorena, Texas, said she is an extremely proud parent and is excited to see Laramie win.
“I am so proud of him because he has worked so hard at it and has been so passionate about it,” Patti said, teary-eyed. “He has been doing it for so long and I am just thankful that God rewarded his efforts today.”
Patti said there is nothing greater for a parent than to see their child be rewarded for their hard work. She said it is also exciting to know that her family has won the 125th Grand Champion title.
“It is just such a great experience, especially this being his last year, that he was able to win the 125th year and be in the history books,” Patti said.
Jack Ward, the judge of the 2011 Market Steer Show, said he really liked the quality of Laramie’s steer.
“I really like that steer,” Ward said. “He was very complete. He was a market animal and yet very attractive, strong topped, very sound in his movement, and just a very complete individual.”
Laramie Priest sold his steer for $102,000 at the 2011 Livestock Auction on October 7, 2011 and his picture will be showcased in Champion’s Row for the duration of the State Fair. For more information, visit the State Fair of Texas’ website: www.bigtex.com.
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About the State Fair of Texas Livestock Shows
The State Fair of Texas provides an annual opportunity to showcase the state’s livestock industry. The hundreds of thousands of visitors who attend the show during its 24-day run include people from the nations outside the United States. Attracting approximately 3,500 4-H and FFA students from across the state of Texas will exhibit over 4,000 animals for two separate purposes: breeding and marketing.
The State Fair of Texas will host over 8,000 head of cattle, sheep, swine, goats, poultry, horses and llamas for both Youth and Pan American shows. Total prize and premium money for the 2011 Livestock Show is in excess of $1 million.
The State Fair of Texas turns 125 this year celebrating a timeless tradition. This year the fair has created many memorable items in honor of the 125th year including a pair of commemorate custom collector boots, a special edition bottle of wine, and a 1,200 pound butter sculpture depicting what the fair was like back in 1886. Learn about the timeless traditions of the agriculture industry, livestock and more while backing the brand. This year’s state fair will run through Sunday, Oct. 23.