Although he can be sassy every once in awhile, Clara Schneider says her grand champion steer can also be quite loving.
That’s saying a lot for a 1,382-pound animal.
The judge said the smokey-colored animal named Rebel moved really well and was pretty well finished before pointing to the 12-year-old youth’s impressive animal and naming him the grand champion.
And although he dwarf’s his owner in size, the short horn plus breed, has kind eyes.
In her 6 years showing animals at the Chelsea Community Fair, this was the first time Clara has been awarded grand champion steer.
Rebel is a short horn plus, referring to his breed, but his docile demeanor is a testament to the time Schneider had spent working with him.
When asked why kids should begin with feeder calves (as she had before moving to steer), Clara said, “With feeders, you develop a good bond and get comfortable showing them. It’s a good experience. Steers look big and scary, but if you work with them, they really aren’t.”
