The inaugural National Western Stock Show Supreme Junior Heifer Drive will offer junior heifer showmen the opportunity to compete for $54,500 in scholarships. The champion junior heifer breed champions are invited to compete in the drive, which will be judged on January 24, 2026, during the semi-final PRCA rodeo performance after a parade of all breed champions. A top five will be selected before the live crowd. Subsequent years will see the total payout grow to $100,000.
At the NWSS, there are currently 15 breed associations that host junior heifer shows, some with multiple breed champions, making 26 possible breed champions eligible for the Supreme Junior Heifer Drive, including: Angus; Aberdeen Percentage/Purebred, Fullblood; Charolais, Purebred and percentage; Chianina, Chi-Maine, and Chi-Composite; Simmental Purebred and Percentage; Shorthorn, Shorthorn Plus; South Devon, Poundmakers; Gelbvieh, Gelbvieh Balancer; Maine, Maintainer, Maine-Angus; Limousin; Longhorn; Highland; Miniature Hereford; Hereford Horned, Hereford Polled; and Red Angus.
Each competitor in the Supreme Junior Heifer Drive will earn $1,000 for their participation in the Supreme Junior Heifer Drive. In its inaugural year, the Supreme Champion Heifer will be awarded $10,000 plus a banner; Reserve Supreme Champion Heifer will be awarded $7,500 plus a banner; third overall will be awarded $5,000 plus a banner; fourth overall will be awarded $3,500 plus a banner; and fifth overall will be awarded $2,500 plus a banner. Including the $1,000 cash payout, the total 2026 payout will be $54,500.
NWSS CEO Wes Allison said the drive is an investment in the junior competitors who invest time and treasure into raising and exhibiting high quality cattle.
“At Denver, we believe in youth competitors, and we believe in creating opportunities for those who come to the National Western each January to make the quality of livestock – and the quality of youth competitors – simply exceptional,” Allison said. “The National Western has long been the destination for elite junior showmen and elite livestock, and we want to reward that dedication and investment with the drive and the opportunity to compete for what will eventually be $100,000 in cash and scholarships.”
In 2027, the total payout will grow to $79,500 with the Supreme Champion Junior Heifer earning $15,000 plus a banner. In 2028 and subsequent years, the total payout will grow to $100,000 with the Supreme Champion Junior Heifer earning $25,000 plus a banner.
About the National Western Stock Show
Established in 1906, the National Western Stock Show is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides college and graduate-level scholarships in agricultural science, business, and rural medicine. Our mission is to serve producers and consumers worldwide by being the premier annual livestock show and center for year-round events. The 16-day show in January also serves as an entertainment arena, hosting one of the world’s richest regular-season professional rodeos, world-class horse shows, family educational events, and Colorado’s largest western trade show. For more information, visit nationalwestern.com.