Hi there, my name is Elli Bezner! I am seventeen years old and have been showing steers since I was nine. It has been a privilege to grow up in a family with a rich history in the livestock business. Our family has shown steers competitively for the last thirty years. My goal to win a Texas major steer show is much more than an outstanding accolade; it is truly a family legacy that I am grateful to be a part of. My dad showed steers and won the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (FWSSR) in 1991. I grew up in the show barn alongside my twin brothers and cousins. I witnessed firsthand their success in the ring and the life lessons they gained throughout their show career. In 2018, my cousin Benjamin Bezner also had the opportunity to continue the family legacy by exhibiting his Grand Champion Steer at the FWSSR. Showing livestock is a family affair, and I appreciate the village of people I have gained from our stock show family. We live in the Texas Panhandle; our climate is very similar to Denver, Colorado. It cools off at night and gets cold from November to February, which makes it the perfect time to get a steer ready for the winter major shows. Each year that I brought a steer to Fort Worth, I came up shy of achieving that purple banner and Grand Champion steer slap from
the judge. All Texas showmen have the competitive goal of being lucky enough to make the FWSSR sale and get the coveted “F” brand. This is an admirable goal, but deep down, I always envisioned more – carrying on the family legacy. Over the last four years, I have won two classes and placed second and third in one of the most competitive classes at Fort Worth. Being in the “heat” of the show and so close to the top only grew my desire to exhibit the grand champion steer one day. My dad wisely told me, “Our time will come, and everything will click together and be in our favor that day.” That “one day” I had been diligently striving for finally became a reality on February 2, 2024! The stars aligned and everything fell into place, allowing me to accomplish my dream. To describe the feeling of this accomplishment is nearly unexplainable. I experienced a rush of gratifying emotions, like pride, joy, surprise, relief, and heartfelt appreciation for the industry. Not only did I shed happy tears, but I embraced family and friends with tears of joy in their eyes. Their feelings of immense pride were visible because each of these people played a vital role in my success in exhibiting “Leadfoot.” In the days that followed the 2024 FWSSR, I frequently stopped and asked myself, “Did that really just happen?” Memories from that special day in Fort Worth still feel surreal. In
Texas, if you win a major stock show, you cannot exhibit another steer at that stock show in the years to follow. As I reflect upon my memories, I have a bittersweet feeling acknowledging I will never again pull a trailer and unload cattle at what we call the “Superbowl of Stockshows.” The years in the show ring go by all too fast, and it takes great persistence to transform a maroon participation ribbon into the purple Grand Champion Banner! As I wrap up my thoughts, I will leave you with this quote that represents what showing cattle is all about. “Winning is fun… Sure. But winning is not the point. Wanting to win is the point. Not giving up is the point. Never letting up is the point. Never being satisfied with what you’ve done My sincerest thank you is extended to my stock show friends, fellow competitors, judges, officials, and volunteers who have played a crucial role in my personal and professional development. My experiences in the barn have shaped me into the person I am today and have better prepared me for success in life beyond the show ring! ● Thank you, Elli Bezner is the point.” -Pat Summit
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