Sixth-grader raises champion steer

Ryne Hutton, a sixth-grader at TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas, was awarded Grand Champion Steer of the Show for his steer Grizzly on Jan. 14 at the Kendall County Stock Show in Boerne.

Hutton, age 12, raised the Simmental steer as a 4-H project, along with a Charolais steer, Dez, that won Reserve Champion at the same show. “I knew Grizzly was going to be special,” he says, “because everyone kept telling me so.” He raised the steers as a project for 4-H, of which he has been a member for more than four years. He also has taken part in rodeos, roping calves. “Raising cattle has always been in my blood,” he says, noting that his brother Hayes, age seven, showed a steer for the first time this year.

“(Showing steers) gets easier as you get older,” he says. “It’s a big, strong animal, and when you’re little, your arm gets tired when you’re in the ring.”

While he could have sold Grizzly at the Kendall County Show, Hutton kept the steer and plans to take him to the San Antonio, Houston and Fort Worth stock shows. If Grizzly wins a Grand Champion Steer banner at one of the big-city events, Hutton may receive a substantial offer for his prize pet. If so, he says, “I’ll sell him and put the money in my college fund.”

Hutton says he has learned responsibility from his 4-H experience of caring for livestock. “I think every kid should do it,” he says. The secret to his success? “You’ve got to love your animal.”

About TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas: Founded in 1893, TMI is a private, co-educational, college-preparatory school for grades 6-12, with optional Junior ROTC and boarding programs. For information, visit www.tmi-sa.org or call 698-7171.

TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas
20955 West Tejas Trail
San Antonio, TX 78257

This release was published on openPR.