Left 1987 UFA Steer Classic show in the Big Top. ©© Browarny photographics
There are commercial people there because what they have at home are commercial crossbred steers, and what we’re showing, for the most part, are commercial crossbred steers. As you look across the crowd watching that show, the numbers of people – the spectators – have grown year by year by year.” Another challenge, Miller says, is the notion held by some that steer shows are all about fitting and favour flash over substance. The aesthetics of a steer show, however, prove to be an attraction for urban Stampede visitors taking in the event. For urbanites looking to see a real-life “fluffy cow,” watching the Steer Classic is an opportunity to come in close contact with beef producers and learn that there’s much more to cattle than looking fancy in the ring. The presentation of beef cattle in general is also crucial in the education component of the Stampede. While the Stampede used to hold large breed shows and an on-site junior multispecies show in addition to Steer Classic, the presence of show cattle at the 10-day event has diminished greatly in the last decade. Steer Classic plays an important role in representing beef cattle production to Stampede-goers, along with beef displays in the Agriculture Building and industry booths around the grounds, such as the Cattle Trail.
Above The 1987 Grand Champion Steer, a Salers x Charolais cross shown by Flewelling Cattle Co, Longshore Farms, Rob Holowaychuk. ©© Browarny Photographics
Left The championship drive in 2013, the last time the Steer Classic would be held in the historic Big Top. ©© ShowChampions Top Stock Magazine / Summer 2015
This, like the organization of the show, is no small task, and as Miller notes, the enduring success of Steer Classic owes a lot to the hard work of the show committee. “Sponsorship is a huge part of it,” he says, “and we seem to have a good cross-section of people [on the committee] that do the grunt work, know the people in the industry, and go out and talk to potential sponsors [to] convince them that that’s where their support should be given – Towards the junior involvement and that will further agriculture down the road.” Wilson notes that in her family’s association with the show over the years, the biggest 021