Jordan Cannon, 9, was on hand at the Ranch Rodeo competition to cheer on his dad, Powell Cannon. Jordan has earned some rodeo-related wins, himself; including a buckle-earning win in breakaway roping. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

Feb. 23, 2006 - Once, again, the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc. (SALE) has come and gone, but not without offering Texas students monetary awards for their hard work, hours of entertainment by top performers, freshly-cooked food, carnival rides; and an introduction to agriculture to many young students who still think “milk comes from the H.E.B. store!”

The mission statement of SALE is “Helping Youth Today So That Agriculture Can Grow Tomorrow,” and they really mean it. To date, “the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo educational commitment exceeds $64 million with a record $6.2 million committed in 2005 in the form of scholarships, grants, endowments, auction, calf scramble program and show premiums paid to youth,” according to information published by the exposition.

There were 300 new scholarships given this year, and there are currently 817 active scholarship recipients in 57 colleges and universities across Texas. 

Attendance to the famed show continues to grow. The total attendance for the 56th annual stock show and rodeo, last year, is noted as 1,095,939.

Matthew Bumgarner of Dayton earned a Reserve Champion title with his Simmental heifer during the San Antonio competition. -- Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

Obviously, this was never expected back in 1854, when San Antonio was an “emerging” Texas cattle town, and the first Texas Agricultural Fairs was held. It was a big hit, and the facilities soon outgrew the initial space. In September 1948, the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum opened to the public, after a number of years of fund-raisers. Originally, the two “prime interests” of the Freeman’s were youth and the agricultural and livestock industries, according to SALE literature.

In 1984, the SALE Scholarship Fund was created to encourage 4-H and FFA students to major in agricultural-related careers. That first year, 15 four-year scholarships totaling $90,000 were awarded to students entering Texas colleges in the fall of 1984.

By 2003, for the first time since 1950, the rodeo and concert performances were not held in the Freeman Coliseum, but rather right next door at the new SBC Center. 

Some things never change, however. Each year the event offers families a chance to spend some quality time together. After walking through the livestock barns and show grounds, it’s obvious the SALE continues to be a “family thing.” It’s common to see moms, dads, and babies in strollers and younger siblings right along side the students who are showing animals. Some exhibitors spend their spare time between competitions playing cards with friends, while others find it a great time to catch a nap on top of one of the hard, show boxes.

Of course, there’s a lot of grooming going on, and moving of livestock between holding stalls or pens and the show rings ... so visitors are made aware to be cautious “where they step” in the aisles of the show barns!

A few of the competitors at the event shared their thoughts:

Matthew Bumgarner, 11, of Dayton said he was proud of winning the a Reserve Champion title in the Junior Heifer competition on Feb. 9. It was his fourth year as a member of the 4-H group, and was showing a Simmental heifer.

In a horse arena, Powell Cannon of Centerville was practicing for the ranch horse competition while his 9-year-old son, Jordan, watched and learned from his dad. While the Cannons live on a ranch, Jordan’s mom had to stay home to teach school and take care of Jordan’s 4-year-old brother. Jordan is not new to competition; he won the breakaway roping in 2005 in McGregor and had the big, belt buckle to prove it. He said he started roping from horseback when he was “just a youngster of 6 or 7.” His horse’s name is Stormy, and Jordan was enjoying watching his dad perform and dreaming of the day he’ll be old enough to enter the contest.