can say showing livestock is in my blood. “Stan The Man” and I only exhibited at a few jackpots before the big day in Denver. This was my last trip with a market steer to NWSS and I was determined to take a competitive steer. I have exhibited many times at the NWSS but none have been as exhilarating or successful as January 19, 2023. In 2022 I won Senior Showmanship and placed 1st in class 11 in the market steer show. This year my goal was to make sale again with a steer and try to compete in class 5, which I knew was one of the “heater” classes as we like to call it. The morning of the show my focus was fitting and presenting Stan to his best. The fat steer classes at the NWSS can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour with three judges on the panel. What I was hoping for was 1st or 2nd to ensure that I would make the livestock sale. After the judge’s card were turned in, they pointed at me with number one held up. I was ecstatic! I knew he was one of two steers the judges had all agreed on for the whole day of placing 1st. After the success of placing in Class 5 it was time to prepare for the Grand Drive. Nothing gets your heart pumping like the green carpet at the National Western Stock Show. As we walk into the ring the announcer says our name and where we are from.
Each judge gives a speech about the National Western, agriculture, and what the livestock industry means to them. The microphone is put away and it is time for the Grand Champion Market Steer to be selected. This year NWSS had chosen Kayden Halls to deliver the Grand Champion Slap as Part of the Make-a-Wish program. What I didn’t expect that day was to be the 2023 Grand Champion Market Steer. Ringside my family was overcome with emotions when I was selected. It is difficult to
explain the feeling. 13 years and 3 generations my family has been working for this moment. Since that day in Denver my life has not been as
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glamorous. At home we run 200 mother cows and complete IVF embryo work. I am currently showing a product from our embryo program. My family and I also farm and produce high quality grass and alfalfa hay but the cattle side of the operation is what I am passionate about. What motivates me is seeing the potential calves my family and I have hand selected, bred and raise to maybe be one day be, “Stan the Man” also. ■
JUSTIN PFANNEBECKER WAS THE FIRST COLORADO EXHIBITOR TO WIN THE NATIONAL WESTERN MARKET STEER SHOW SINCE JUSTIN LAURIDSON WON IN 1997!
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