Canyon teen and her black European cross claim 2023’s Grand Champion Steer title

Every year at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo’s Junior Steer Show, the dance is just about the same.

As always, there’s a lift of the hand from a judge in silence. As always, there’s a slap on one coveted steer’s rump among the thousands competing. And in the end, as always, a Grand Champion is crowned.

This year out of 1,497, the title went to 15-year-old Sadie Wampler of Canyon’s Randall County 4-H and her steer Snoop Dogg.

There were hoots and hollers as her victory was declared, but most of all, there was a broad smile from the teen.

Sadie’s 1,343-pound jet black cross was as calm as can be as he stood stoutly with the teen at her fourth Stock Show for interviews with reporters.

What does it take to be the best? Sadie points back to the hard work.

“It’s every single day,” she told the Star-Telegram.

The judge will tell you it comes down to the whole package.

“He was tremendously powerful,” the show’s judge Jarold Callahan said of Snoop Dogg. “Big, big, heavy muscle steer with a lot of meat and muscle in him and still yet very correct structurally and well balanced.”

Twelve-year-old Mason Grady and his 1,439-pound black cross Maverick, who the child described as an “old grandpa,” took the show’s reserve champion spot. Mason was also last year’s reserve champion, which he won with his chestnut steer named Bugsy.

To do this twice, Mason said it’s as much about the hard work and hours as it is the people along for the ride with you.

“You surround yourself with good people, and you can do dang near anything,” Mason told the Star-Telegram. “That’s just my way of thinking of it.”

The next and final chapter for the two kids and their steer is the Sale of Champions, which will be held in the Richardson Bass Building at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Last year’s winner, Tristan Himes of Sterling City, and his black cross named Steve, broke the stock show record when the steer went for $310,000. Steer sales at the Sale of Champions have risen 130% in the past 20 years.

But will Sadie break the record? She smiles when the question comes up.

“I hope so.”