DENVER, CO, January 27, 2019 – The 113th National Western Stock Show celebrated the best sixteen days in January with the third highest attendance, hosting 701,656 visitors. The attendance record sits at 726,972 guests and was set in 2006 during the 100th Anniversary. “We appreciate every person, young and old, from near and far that came out to celebrate Colorado’s longest standing western tradition with us,” said Paul Andrews, President and CEO of the National Western Stock Show. “To host over 700,000 guests in sixteen days for the second straight year is tremendous.”

The Junior Livestock Auction had an epic sale, setting an all-time record of $1,027,750 raised. A percentage of the auction total goes to fund the Scholarship Trust, along with two other funding events. The Citizen of the West dinner, honoring Robert G. Tointon, sold out the Events Center arena floor, and the Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale had another successful year.  “All three of these amazing events will produce enough revenue to fund a projected 100 scholarships for students studying in the fields of agriculture and rural medicine,” said Andrews. “We are grateful to all the supporters that contribute to these events, which fund the future of ag studies in Colorado and across the country.”

Andrews also contributes the success of the Stock Show to the dedication and hard work of over 800 volunteers, the support of the City of Denver, the WSSA Board of Directors, sponsor partners, the livestock and rodeo committees, and the amazing rodeo and Stock Show fans that come out every year to celebrate the western traditions of the National Western Stock Show.

The National Western Stock Show Grand Champion Steer Sets a New Record

January 25, 2019, Denver, CO – The standing-room-only crowd at the 2019 Auction of Junior Livestock Champions roared as the Grand Champion Steer sold for an all-time record of $150,000. The top eight champion animals tallied generous sales of $480,000. The Grand Champion Hog sold for $70,000, and the Reserve Grand Champion Steer sold for an impressive $90,000.

The money invested supports the junior exhibitors that raised the animal as they plan for their agricultural future and college educations. In addition, a portion of the proceeds support the National Western Scholarship Trust. The Scholarship Trust funds scholarships in agriculture studies and rural medicine at colleges throughout Colorado and Wyoming. This year, 100 students received funds to aid their education. For more information regarding the Scholarship Trust, please visit nationalwestern.com/educational-support/.

The top six Junior Livestock animals were auctioned off live on 9NEWS at 6:30 p.m.

• The Grand Champion Steer weighing 1,339 pounds sold for an all-time high of $150,000 to Ames Construction Company. The steer was shown by 17-year-old Kutter Bland. Kutter attends Idalou High School in Slaton, TX, and one day wants to attend Texas Tech to become a petroleum engineer.
• Junior exhibitor, Kassidy Bremer, showed her 1,369-pound Reserve Grand Champion Steer. The buyer, Stevinson Automotive, Kent Stevinson, purchased the animal for $90,000, which is the second-highest sale amount for a Reserve Grand Champion Steer. Kassidy is 18-years old and plans to attend Oklahoma State University to study Embryology.
• Junior exhibitor and former Champion, Mikala Grady, returned and sold the Grand Champion Hog weighing 267 pounds for $70,000 to Transwest Trucks – besting the previous record by $30,000. Mikala is no stranger to the auction ring, as she was the 2017 exhibitor for both the Reserve Grand Champion Steer and the Reserve Grand Champion Hog.
• The 269-pound Reserve Champion Hog, “Hammer,” was sold to Pete Coors & Family for $34,000. The hog was shown by Sterling Boyles from Canyon, TX. This was the 12-year-old’s first time showing at the National Western Stock Show.
• The Grand Champion Lamb, shown by 17-year-old Lydia Stryka of Yukon, OK, was sold for $40,000 to Brannan Sand & Gravel. Lydia plans to attend Oklahoma State University.
• CoBiz, now part of BOK Financial, purchased the Reserve Grand Champion Lamb for a new record of $36,000. The lamb was shown by 17-year-old junior exhibitor, Carlye Winfrey from Seminole, TX.  Carlye will soon attend Texas Tech where she plans to study Agricultural Communications.
• 14-year-old, Hayden Schroeder sold his Grand Champion Goat for$35,000 to Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. Hayden is from Zepher, TX, and he attends Early Texas Middle School.
• The Reserve Grand Champion Goat named Goose sold for$25,000 to the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. “Goose” was shown by 13-year-old Turner Matkin. Turner’s favorite experience in the show ring is shaking the judges hand.