Champion Steer Sells For $1 Million in Houston
The 90th Anniversary of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will be remembered for the $1 million sale of the event’s Grand Champion Junior Market steer.
Sixteen-year-old Aven Horn, Anson, Tex., showed her crossbred steer, Vanilla Ice, to the winner’s circle on Friday, March 18, 2022. On Saturday the pair made history with the $1 million sale at the 2022 Junior Market Steer Auction. The previous record price for a champion steer was $625,000 set in 2019.
The historic purchase was made by Barbara and Don D. Jordan, and family, including Lisa and Chris Cunningham, Leslie and Gary Hazlewood, Laura and Steve McNear.
Don D. Jordan is the former chairman and chief executive officer of Reliant Energy, the Houston-based international diversified energy services company. He is also past president and Chairman of the Board and a current executive committee member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Vanilla Ice was chosen Grand Champion from the field of more than 1,750 steers.
The Reserve Grand Champion steer was shown by Tristan Himes, Sterling City, Tex. His steer was purchased for $675,000 by Robert, Will and Catherine Clay; Andrea and Scott Fish; J Alan Kent Development – Julie and Alan Kent; and Sheri and Rob Walker. That price was also a record, surpassing the previous sale of $367,000 for the Reserve Champion set in 2019.
With the record-breaking steer purchases, Aven will receive $85,000 and Tristan will receive $45,000.
Based upon placing, the Rodeo establishes a guaranteed minimum payment for each exhibitor who qualifies for a junior market auction. The Rodeo also sets a cap amount above the guaranteed minimum for each auction lot. When bidding exceeds the cap amount, the additional funds go into the Rodeo’s Educational Fund to be used for scholarship and grant recipients.
The record-setting buyer, Don D. Jordan, was born the same year the rodeo began.
“The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and I were born in the same year, so we’ve spent a lot of birthdays together,” said Jordan, who will celebrate his 90th birthday in 2022.
Jordan has a longstanding and special history with the Rodeo. In 1986, he was elected to the Executive Committee. In 1987, he purchased the Grand Champion Steer for $75,000. From 1994 to 1996, Jordan served as president, followed by chairman of the board. In 1948, Jordan caught a calf in the calf scramble.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $550 million to the youth of Texas and education.
