Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s 90th anniversary will go down in history following the record-breaking sale of a grand champion steer for $1 million.
Past president and chairman of the board and current executive committee member, Don D. Jordan, and family forked out the six-figure sum at the 2022 Junior Market Steer Auction on Saturday, March 19th, 2022.
$1 million steer
16-year-old Aven Horn of Anson, Texas, put Vanilla Ice, the grand champion junior market steer, under the hammer.
The animal smashed the previous record of $625,000, which a champion steer set in 2019.
2022 is a symbolic year for both Jordan and the Rodeo. The Rodeo closed out its 90th-anniversary celebration on Sunday, while he will celebrate his 90th birthday this year.
Meanwhile, Tristan Himes of Sterling City, Texas, exhibited the reserve champion junior market steer.
Robert, Will and Catherine Clay; Andrea and Scott Fish; J Alan Kent Development – Julie and Alan Kent; and Sheri and Rob Walker paid $675,000 for this entry.
This also surpassed the Rodeo’s previous record of $367,000, which was set in 2019.
With these record-breaking steer purchases, Aven will receive $85,000, and Tristan will receive $45,000,
How does it work?
Based upon placing, the Rodeo establishes a guaranteed minimum payment for each exhibitor who qualifies for a junior market auction.
According to organisers, the Rodeo also sets a cap amount above the guaranteed minimum for each auction lot.
When bidding exceeds the cap amount, the additional funds go into the Rodeo’s Educational Fund for scholarship and grant recipients.
Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $550 million to the youth of Texas and education.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promote agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience.
It aims to educate and entertain the public, supports Texas youth, showcase Western heritage, and provide year-round educational support within the community.
The 2021 event welcomed more than 2.4 million guests through its gates, along with some 34,000 livestock and horse show entries.
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