A different kind of sport: Going strong since 1931, Central Texas Youth Fair Youth strives to support & sustain rural heritage
This is it; years and months of preparation are about to come down to this very moment. All those years of early morning and late evening feeding, every day grooming, daily training his showmanship, his steers and lambs; grabbing some time here and there for school homework – Meridian High School Senior Alex Rodriguez is about to round off his days of showing livestock at the 2025 Central Texas Youth Fair county livestock show. Hours before the show he washed, blow dried, oiled, and brushed his animals to perfection. He changed from the heat-easy shorts and T-shirt to clean jeans, smart belt and boots and starched shirt and now it’s time to bring it.
Granted, those hours and hours spent in the ag barn at Meridian High School since eighth grade, showing Dorpers were not always fun, especially those cold, early morning feeds. And the support of his parents, who sometimes had to pick up the slack, was invaluable.
This year, Alex was showing two steers, one pig, one goat, two lambs and broilers. He had an overall grand champion goat, a grand champion lamb and a grand champion steer. Not everything always goes as planned, and several of his best broilers died before the show.
Getting a sizable check after he won a calf scramble at the 2022 CTYF and another at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2023, Alex started showing steers. That first year, het straight away won grand champion with a Bosque County born and bred animal from the Winkler ranch.
Having worked with goats, lambs, steers and pigs, Alex learned that each species needs a specific approach.
“You have to work with your animals, otherwise it will show in the ring,” Alex said. “And you have to know your animal. Cattle and pigs are smart; sheep and goats need a repetitive routine. And goats are stubborn. You have to be more relaxed around them to get them to do what you want them to do. With all animals it’s better if you don’t fight them constantly.”
Alex recalls one steer Hurley that was “mean as hell” and even put him on the fence one time. But with a show halter on, the big lug was a big baby.
“I’ve learned more life skills showing than school,” Alex said. “When something goes wrong, just shut up and relax, for one.”
Getting into the livestock show world is easy. There is the initial purchase amount for the animal – which has increased significantly in the past couple of years -- but it’s all the extra stuff, like special blankets, special clippers, special bandages and special feeds to supplement, medications when they get pink eye or an intestinal tract infection. And then there’s show entry fees. It can get expensive and becomes quite the extra investment for a family, in money and in time. The added value of this unique education makes it all worth it.
Showing livestock requires a lot of hard work and dedication but is rewarding in many ways. Being part of the Texas Future Farmers of America agricultural education with its slogan “cultivate,” Alex was part of a dynamic youth organization making a positive difference in students’ lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.
Texas has the largest number of 4-H and FFA livestock projects in the nation. And with each lamb, broiler or steer, youth learn invaluable life lessons and skills, setting them up for success in the future. Passions discovered, friendships across county lines forged and engaging in quality family time, traditions upheld, learning how to win humbly and how to lose courageously and defining their future.
Research shows that Texas FFA students are more confident, better prepared and continue their leadership into the college experience and the more semesters of agricultural education in high school, the higher graduation rate in college than other students. Many local exhibitors over the years went on to study Pasture Management, Ag Communications to become ranch managers, hay suppliers, breeders, and part of ag-related businesses.
Another example of the family commitment to showing livestock is the Thiele family from Valley Mills. In the arena this year was Heather, who started showing with a mini-Hereford, now won Overall Grand Champion with her British, Bosque County bred and raised steer, and she added Junior Showmanship to her achievements. Dad Ben and mother Lou Ann both volunteer at the CTYF and help out prepping the bovines for the show. Sister Kaitlyn – now a Gunther – is the Bosque County Agrilife Extension 4H program coordinator, assisted in the steer arena, as sister Erin took photographs of her sibling’s and other exhibitors’’ exploits in the arena.
“Showing livestock is very much a family affair,” Bosque County Extension Agent Chelsea Dorward said. “Good support is absolutely necessary for success.”
The County AgriLife Extension Office advises and coordinates the county’s 4-H projects together with the parents, which includes the showing of livestock. Raising broilers is an excellent way to introduce young children to livestock care -- the daily caring for chickens builds the sense of responsibility, and they can see the effects of their efforts quickly. Showing broilers and seeing how they grew in a short amount of time, make it a most satisfying project. An added bonus for the family is now a sizable supply of whole chickens in the freezer.
“All broilers in a show have to come from the same patch, born on the same day,” Dorward explained. “Unlike any other breed of animal, they all have the same start and winning a ribbon is all about the way the broilers are raised.”
Dorward herself showed steers growing up in Oklahoma, and her nine-year-old son started his county fair experience raising onions. Her six-year-old daughter prefers to enter cakes and sewing projects in Home Economics.
It is important to recognize that the size of the animal does not have any effect on the value of the project for the young person to develop character. A youth will learn the same things and have the same opportunity to exercise character with a rabbit as with a steer project. A trend in the past 10 years is the increasing sales in goats, rabbits and cakes. These categories have the highest yield – not in total sales, but pound for pound.
“These young people have a strong foundation in work ethic and character,” Texas AgriLife Extension Service Youth Livestock and Ag specialist and assistant professor Billy Zanolini said when he judged at the CTYF. “They are the next generation of agricultural leaders who will provide solutions to the challenges of a growing population. They know how to start a project, do all the work in between and finish it. There is no sitting around and being lazy.”
Even though winning in larger stock shows like Fort Worth and Houston has its merits, participating at the CTYF show has added value. Anyone will tell you, the major shows are overwhelmingly big, and in a blink of an eye, without any explanation, your hog or steer that you have pampered and worked with for months was not deemed good enough for the sale ring during pre-selection. At a county show, most judges explain what they see in the show animals -- the things that catch their eye in a positive way, and explain things that might need improving. The youth gain ring experience in a smaller more informal setting, surrounded by encouraging family and friends, and supportive fellow FFA chapter members, priming them for bigger shows.
Born in horse-and-buggy days, town and county fairs gave citizens that lived far apart an opportunity to visit friends and family, trade crops and crafts, and catch up on fellow farmers and livestock breeders. A timeless tradition showcasing a rural way of life, a county show like the Central Texas Youth Fair is important to the community and the CTYF offers a well-rounded county fair, with a wide range of events for county Future Farmers of America and 4-H students to compete in.
More often than not, the judges are impressed by the animals on show in Bosque County, where over the years “quality over quantity” seems to be the motto. There might not be a whole lot of exhibitors, but the quality is high, making it a competitive, worthwhile show for the local youth. Pound for pound, it’s as good as it gets.
In her youth, MaryAnn Brandenberger showed Angus steers and heifers throughout the Southwest with her brother. Now as CTYF Secretary and supervisor for several show rings at the fair, she believes a county show is “more democratic,” where youth from less affluent families get a chance to compete. Saving on travel and hotel costs and high entry fees also benefits the local exhibitors.
“Major shows are more competitive, and more money is pumped into the projects, and higher caliber animals are necessary to compete there,” Brandenberger said.
Having showed goats for 10 years in her youth at the CTYF, board member Shelby Crockett agreed with that, stating the accessibility of the CTYF was an important factor in their family’s decision to allow showing livestock.
With that said, the declining exhibitor numbers does not diminish the importance of keeping the show going for the many volunteers clocking countless hours preparing and running for the show. All of them believe it all boils down to the intangible benefits and life lessons the youth learn from raising their livestock projects, and that is worth donating their time and efforts to.
This year was the fair’s 94th event, and each year the board offers improvements and changes to make it a better experience for all involved. According to Dorward, being more removed from agriculture, the increasing cost of buying and raising livestock, the many other extra-curricular options the youth have like athletics and band, and parents unable to help out all play into the decrease in fair entries.
The declining amount of youth showing at CTYF is a concern -- with the biggest decline in steer entries – over the years the board added events like the pet show, the crop show, the ag build off and the ag blueprint categories to engage youth that might not normally participate in the fair and give them a chance to show using less start-up resources than other projects. They also included the commercial heifer category and the breeding livestock category.
Between events, visitors get to enjoy traditional fair food and refreshing drinks at the concession stand, which was rocking and rolling with quick yet thorough service by die-hard fair volunteers. Local businesses sponsor the exhibitor breakfast and other social events in the fair week.
Additionally, the CTYF changed from a market show to a premium show in 2020, meaning the monies raised in the fair auction are all in support of the youth and they get to keep their animal, either to sell or to develop further for the Heart of Texas Fair or the State Fair of Texas in the fall. Many youth support groups end up “buying” the animals, and there is a steady group of generous businesses and individuals that buy the animals outright or add-on money to a sale. Most of the time, the exhibitors know their buyer, and go up to them, shake their hand, and thank them for buying their project.
According to a 2022 article by Addie Broyles for the Texas Association of Counties, County fairs contribute about $70 million per year to the youths and families who participate.
"A steer might only have a market value of $1,200, but at a county fair, investors will pay a premium of $6,000 or $10,000, knowing that it's 500 to 600 percent over what the animal is worth, just because they want to support these youth," Zanolini said in the article. "These community members see the value in this and they invest over and over again."
Zanolini, who is also a member of Texas Youth Livestock & Agriculture, which supports students, families and agricultural science teachers who participate in projects to raise steers, rabbits, goats and other livestock, grew up showing livestock in Sonoma County, California, said this level of support is unprecedented outside Texas.
With buyers being all about supporting the youth, the 2025 Central Texas Youth Fair brought in a staggering $292,790 in auction of the show animals and cakes – up from$160,000 in 2018. Thanks to a large $20,000 add-on to Jagger Monroe’s overall Grand Champion, the swine category brought in the most funds this year, nearly $85,000. It was followed by the steer division, bringing in nearly $63,000, thanks to $13,000 for Heather Thiele’s overall Grand Champion steer. Lambs brought in close to $34,000, and of the 43 cakes in competition, 10 made it to the auction, bringing in just over $17,000.
Over the past years, the CTYF has seen a decline participation, especially in lamb and steer sales. A trend in the past three years is the increasing sales in goats, rabbits and cakes. These categories have the highest yield for a more economical initial investment for the exhibitor families. And Home Economics, with their photography show, sees an increasing interest over the years. Many of the exhibitors also enter the jackpot shows, that allow for a wider age range and includes exhibitors from surrounding counties. The jackpot shows are a good exercise for the market show ring, and offer an opportunity for quick cash. In recent years, the CTYF board included the commercial heifer division to the arsenal of shows, and this year five pens of quality heifers made it hard for the judges to designate a champion and reserve champion.
“Adding the commercial heifers to the shows gives more youth the ability to show,” commercial heifer show judge Steve Conrad said. “It’s a very practical thing too, it’s education for a future rancher. And any livestock project teaches the young people things way beyond what they can learn in a classroom.”
The actions of all the volunteers involved in organizing the fair keeps the spirit alive. In appreciation for the volunteers’ invaluable service and generosity in giving of their time, guidance or support – monetary or otherwise -- each year the fair board spotlights an individual, or group, who have served the fair and the Bosque County community in special and exceptional ways. The in the last couple of years they include David Bevels, David and Margaret Winkler, Weldon Bartels, the ladies at First National Bank, Dr. Lloyd and Donna Hampe, Bill Murdoch, Bob and Judy Conley, Gary and Gena Dean Arnold, Ginger and Gene Albrecht and Mike and Barbara Domel.
As his HeyDudes and his pig’s feet kicked up the dirt, the grooming brush with his name in his hand, the misters and the evening breeze try to bring some cooling to the arena filled with spectators and other participants, a young exhibitor walks out into the ring. Walking with a smooth stride, grunting happily with his nose in the air as he showed off his broad shoulders, broad butt, long back – meaning lots of bacon and healthy, shiny skin. This pig was the complete package.
Sprinting out the starting blocks of his livestock showing career in 2023, young Jagger Monroe from Iredell, once again won Grand Champion Overall with his heavy weight hog, Junior Showmanship an Junior Record Book in the pig arena in 2025. He shows an ability beyond his years of keeping in the judge’s line of sight, controlling his happy hogs and showing them to their best advantage.
Vying for CTYF Overall Point Winner Jagger also entered broilers, a goat, a cake and Home Economics projects besides showing his beloved pigs; all to amass more points in total. He is one of the next generation livestock showing youth in Bosque County, carrying on the tradition and learning invaluable lessons along the way.
A Texas Tech University study aimed at validating the perceived benefits of competitive youth livestock exhibition produced a number of surprises. The most common benefit people mention about livestock exhibition is the responsibility a “stock show kid” gains from raising and showing an animal. It was not the strongest theme to emerge in the study though– it was the social relationships. Besides winning another ribbon – this year she won in her Fine Wool and Southdown class --or showmanship buckle, Elise loved meeting all the different people from all over the state at the livestock shows. Gracie too mentioned the friendships and the people she met during shows as an important aspect of why she enjoyed showing livestock.
“The comradery with all involved in the fair makes for many memorable moments, as does watching the youth’s progress over the years,” Dorward said.
Character was the second theme to emerge in the study -- responsibility, confidence, sportsmanship, and how to deal with loss, promoting personal growth and building character.
The animals rely on a caretaker to provide them with the proper nutrition and daily care. Caring for show animals teaches the importance of consistency and attention to detail. Youth provide their livestock with the exact amount of feed, exercise, and grooming to ensure they are looking their best.
Knowledge and care of animals was the last theme that emerged from the study. Participants felt this knowledge was important, especially if it relates to a future career. And as for the love and care for their animals, “Show Mom” and CTYF officer Cindy Wiese encouraged her sons not to get too attached to them, for one, they would ultimately be sold in auction or otherwise. Popular belief is not to name your livestock, to avoid too much emotional attachment. Instead the Wiese’s with the motto “do not get too attached to your food,“ they named their steer “Hamburger,” and their show pigs “Sausage,” and “Bacon.” In that vein, Shelby named her first show goat “Fajita.”
While Alex really wanted to stay in the livestock business, he decided to pursue a career as Lineman, starting studies at Texas State Technical College. Much to his mother Carmen’s delight, he will continue raising livestock and is already mentoring his younger brother Adrian and his cousin Louis with their livestock show aspirations. Alex gives them emotional and practical support, helping them with grooming and handling tips, calming their nerves before ring appearances. While it is a big investment for the family, Carmen loves everything about her children raising and showing livestock, especially the life lessons they acquire while doing so.
Of course, winning the purple Champion ribbon or championship buckle at a livestock show is important to Alex, Heather and Jagger, on a competitive level. But showmanship is the one thing nobody else or money can influence. There is no perfect animal, and even when it’s being less cooperative on show day, it’s the exhibitor staying calm and collected that shows their animal to its best advantage.
When it comes down to the hours and hours of disciplined dedication, careful preparation for a show and love and responsibility for their animals and projects, the participating youth at livestock shows are all winners. They gained skills and through that gained confidence, learned persistence – pushed harder and worked longer, became resilient facing unexpected challenges and losing every now and then and valued good sportsmanship.
The tension rises, his heart rate increases, his gaze tightens as the announcer calls in the participants to the show ring. One deep breath, forgetting the other exhibitors, Alex coaxes one of his lambs into the arena, out in front of the judge’s eyes to hear his comments. In his mind he is asking himself “what is the judge thinking?” “How is the placement of my lamb’s feet?” He is intent on showing this lamb the absolute best way he can – little wonder how he won showmanship awards many times over; the accolade that shows his personal quality.
“If you’re going to do it, you’re going to do it to win,” Alex said showing his competitive streak and commitment. “It’s not a hobby, it’s a lot of work, so you have to really enjoy it. I wish I had another year to show. It kept me out of trouble.”
For seniors like Alex, their times showing at livestock shows supplies them with a lifetime of fond memories and great stories. The Central Texas Youth Fair in Clifton is woven into the fabric of Bosque County’s rural character. And so, the CTYF circle continues to turn, welcoming the next generation into the arena, as the seniors go off to college or careers. For Jagger and his younger brother Jett, he and his family are embarking on a journey filled with invaluable life lessons. And Alex’s younger brother will take over the being the Rodriguez holding the show halter.
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
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