By Allison Hogue
West Texas was well represented at the Fort Worth Rodeo and Stock Show this year by exhibitioners, Riggin Day and Riley Martin. Riley is from Yoakum County, and Riggin is a Terry County native. Riley was accompanied by his Hereford, Dusty, and Riggin led his Polled Hereford steer, Bomb Diggity through the ring. Both boys won big, as they were the Champions in each of their classes, landing them both spots in the highly sought-after Grand Drive in the Will Rogers arena.
THE UNDERDOG, DUSTY
Katie Day, who is a part-owner and operator of Day Show Cattle, alongside her husband, Rusty Day, had a story to share about the steer we know as Dusty, and how his fate could have been totally different. Katie states, “The Martins weren’t able to make our sell last Spring. When the sale was going on, we knew there was something special about that calf, and we were surprised that no one was bidding on him.” She goes on, “We knew that the Martins trusted us, so we bought the calf back off the floor with the Martin family in mind.”
There was definitely something special about this calf that Rusty Day said, “We’re feeding this calf for Fort Worth.”, Katie shared as she reflected on the beginning of Dusty’s journey.
As we now know the results of the Hereford show over at Fort Worth, it is safe to say that feeling the Day and Martin families had about Dusty was spot on, as Riley received the handshake that sent them on their way to the Grand Drive. Both boy’s performances are a great example of hard work and perseverance. It is easy to see that their wins weren’t by chance or luck but by hours of work put into feeding, fitting, and practicing with those calves that are in their possession for only so long.
