Topping the Jr. Sale of Champions at $375,000 was Grand Champion Steer Alley Cat, shown by La Vernia, Texas, FFA member Mattison Koepp 2 3 MARCH 2025 NEWSLETTER Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo January 16 - February 7, 2026 THE FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO | JR. SALE OF CHAMPIONS THE FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO Topping the sale at $375,000 was Grand Champion Steer Alley Cat, shown by La Vernia, Texas, FFA member Mattison Koepp, who showed the reserve grand champion steer in 2024. Bidding was fast and energetic as auctioneer Bruce Miller called bids and buyer names, yet when the final gavel fell, it was Vaden’s Acoustics & Drywall Inc., with the call, purchasing the first ever American Cross to be named Grand Champion Steer. A member of the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate for the past 25 years, Shane Vaden, joined by his wife, Leslie, noted that this was the year they decided to make the major commitment. “It’s really all about giving back,” he said. “I know this young lady has worked hard to get where she is and to me, that means she’s going to be a success, and we want to invest in a program that promotes success.” Ticking off another first for the sale was the record-setting $300,000 bid made by Ed and Sasha Bass, and Sundance Square, for the reserve grand champion steer shown by Bricelyn Patschke, an FFA member from Idalou, Texas. Celebration of the achievement moved to Dickies Arena for the Champion’s Saturday climax during the PRORODEO Tournament Finals, as the Vadens were presented with the Amon G. Carter award and both steers were feted before the sold out crowd. The 2025 Fort Worth Stock Show’s “Champion’s Saturday” hit new heights as a record $10 million was generated during the Show’s Junior Sale of Champions, surpassing the previous year’s record by $1.8 million. 2025 Junior Sale of Champions Presented by H-E-B Packed With Stock Show Firsts www.fwssr.com NEWS BRIEFS FWSSR PRORODEO TOURNAMENT QUALIFIER RODEOS While the 2025 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has come to an end, the quest for the 2026 FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament and a piece of its $1.5 million payout is about to kick off. Rodeo athletes have two ways to qualify for a shot at rodeo stardom in Dickies Arena. For most, qualification will come through the 2025 professional season as the top 49 year-end competitors in each event will automatically qualify. For those not making the top 49, they get a shot through one of seven North Texas rodeos designated as “qualifiers” for the 2026 FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament. Success at one of these seven rodeos guarantees a cowboy or cowgirl that they’ll ride under FWSSR’s lights next January for a chance at a legendary Fort Worth championship buckle. Ellis County Livestock Show & Rodeo Waxahachie, Texas March 28-29 Palo Pinto Livestock Assn. Rodeo Mineral Wells, Texas May 1-3 Gladewater Roundup Gladewater, Texas June 5-7 Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Frontier Days Weatherford, Texas June 11-14 Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse PRCA Rodeo Clebrune, Texas June 11-14 Wichita Falls Pro Rodeo Wichita Falls, Texas August 14-16 North Texas Fair & Rodeo Denton, Texas August 15-17 MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS 2026 Stock Show volunteer applications are being accepted. Go here for more info. MARCH 15 TRADE SHOW VENDOR APPLICATIONS 2026 trade show vendor applications are being accepted. Go here for more info. MAY 15 JUSTIN SCRAMBLE FORE SCHOLARSHIPS Proceeds benefit Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo youth education programs. Entry/Sponsor deadline is April 29. Entries are limited. BUY TEAMS OR SPONSORSHIPS HERE. SEPT. 8 RODEO TICKETS GO ON SALE SEPT. 15 PREMIUM LISTS AVAILABLE ONLINE! Entries accepted: Livestock, Horse, Poultry, Pigeons and Rabbits. SEPT. 27 YOUTH ART CONTEST ENTRY DEADLINE OCT. 2 SHOOT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS SPORTING CLAY TOURNAMENT — Presented by AgTrust Farm Credit. Support FWSSR Junior Shooting Sports Competition and Aim for Education scholarship initiatives. BUY TEAMS OR SPONSORSHIPS HERE. OCT. 3 – 4 FWSSR JR. SHOOTING SPORTS COMPETITION AND AIM FOR EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS 4-H and FFA members, grades 6-12, shoot for a chance at belt buckles, more than $45,000 in premiums, and scholarships for senior students. OCT. 16 – 22 FWSSR INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION Volunteers Needed Contact Rose Alvarez ralvarez@fwssr.com 817-877-2472 continued on page 4 Fields Fotos Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate members congratula champion buyer Shane Vaden. Glen Ellman photo
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