For Release: Immediate
Contact: Matt Brockman or Shanna Weaver
Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show
817-877-2400
matt@fwssr.com shanna@fwssr.com

Stock Show Sees Good Weather, Good Crowds, Good Fun and Entertainment

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - Experiencing the fun and excitement of livestock shows, rodeo, midway rides, food, entertainment and shopping more than 899,000 visitors packed into the Will Rogers Complex from January 11 through February 3 for the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show. Thanks to great weather and enthusiastic crowds, the 112th edition of the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo proved to be a success in all respects.

Livestock entries for the show totaled more than 22,000. In the Junior Sale of Champions, more than 290 steers, barrows, lambs and goats were purchased by area businesses and individuals for more than $1.9 million. In addition to the Sale of Champions, all livestock sales generated $6,109,220 in total revenue.

The “Best of the West” Ranch Rodeo showcased the most prestigious ranch rodeo teams in the western United States. Tongue River Ranch from Paducah, Texas was crowned champion and took home a gooseneck trailer complements of Cherokee Trailers of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma while team members were awarded custom made spurs and bits. Top Hand honors went to long-time competitor Tom Moorhouse of the Moorhouse Ranch while Top Horse went to his dependable mount Waurika. Moorhouse was awarded a custom-made saddle and Waurika now sports a new bit made by noted craftsman, Joe Spiller.

Featuring 17 outstanding geldings from carefully selected ranch horse programs, the Invitational Ranch Horse Show and Sale was won by a 1999 sorrel gelding named Jose Sandio consigned by Rounsaville Cattle Company. Shown by Jim Rounsaville, the top gelding fetched $13,000 from Broken T Ranch. The reserve champion, a 2001 grullo called Snippys Joseph, was consigned by Espuela Ranch and ridden by Bill Smith. The gelding was purchased by Bar None Ranch for $18,000.

The AQHA “Best of the Remuda Sale” was again hosted by the Fort Worth Stock Show. Award winning ranches from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Nebraska participated. Comanche Tradition, a 2002 gray gelding from the 6666 Ranch of Guthrie, Texas captured the highest bid at $22,000 paid by Bill Hudson. Seventy-eight lots sold for an average price of $4,148. The horse sales and “Best of the West” Ranch Rodeo comprised Ranching Heritage Weekend, which was presented by Western Horseman magazine.

The grand champion steer, a 1,280 pound European crossbred known as “Warrior” was shown by 16 year-old Mallory Newsome of Brownfield, Texas. XTO Energy, Inc. bested all bidding with a record tying bid of $185,000. Reserve grand champion steer was shown by 16 year-old Hayes Hall of Anson, Texas. Hillwood Properties paid $100,000 for the 1285 pound European crossbred.

The grand champion barrow was purchased by Hofer Builders for $10,000. The Hampshire was shown by Jake Booth of Levelland, Texas. LH Chaney Materials and Joe Rider Butane, Inc. paid $5,200 for the reserve grand champion barrow exhibited by Jayton Baca of Vega, Texas. Marci McCabe of Ropesville, Texas sold the grand champion lamb for $20,000 to Ladies on the Lamb and Lonesome Dove Western Bistro. Ladies on the Lamb also bought the reserve grand champion lamb, shown by Taylor Turner of Wolfforth, Texas for $15,000. The grand champion wether goat, shown by Kassidy Wilkinson of Menard, Texas sold for $12,000 to Larry White Jr. Investments. Reserve grand champion wether goat sold to Fort Worth and Western Railroad for $4,500 and was shown by Clay Eastwood of New Braunfels, Texas.

The “World’s Original Indoor Rodeo” attracted 1,041 competitors participating in seven PRCA sanctioned events. Champions include: Bareback Bronc Riding – Evan Jayne (Marseille, France); Tie-Down Roping – Clay Cerny (Brazoria, Texas); Steer Wrestling – Tooter Silver (Warner, Okla.); Team Roping – Matt Sherwood (Queen Creek, Ariz.) / Randon Adams (Logandale, Nev.); Saddle Bronc Riding – Rod Hay (Wildwood, Alberta); Barrel Racing – Kelly Maben (Spur, Texas); and Bull Riding – Luke Haught (Weatherford, Texas).

Bulls Night Out, the PRCA extreme bull riding event presented by Lone Star Ag Credit, thrilled crowds with exciting action from the PRCA’s elite bull riders. Champions for the two performances were Logan Knibbe of Rockdale, Texas (January 15) and Luke Haught of Weatherford, Texas (January 16).

Two performances of the “Best of Mexico Celebración,” presented by Coors Light and Univision featured the romance and beauty of mariachis, singing and dance combined with the impressive talents of the Mexican charro. The event featured many local charros, musicians and folklorico dancers participating in the fiesta-style production.

The legendary 24-day event will return in 2009 running from January 16 through February 8. Mail order tickets for PRCA rodeo, “Bulls Night Out,” “Best of Mexico Celebración” and “Best of the West” Ranch Rodeo go on sale after May 1. More information can be found at www.fwssr.com.