Calgary – The Calgary Stampede’s UFA Junior Steer Classic has a dual mandate. It’s a celebration of the vitality and dedication of young people coming from an agricultural environment, as well as a way to demonstrate to a largely-urban audience the health and importance of the cattle industry. New this year is placing the complete focus on the youth livestock program and the change in classes from being based upon breeds to being based upon weight.
The 2015 UFA Junior Steer Classic Grand Champion is Katie Serhienko. This was the third year that Katie brought a steer to the Steer Classic but, at 18, she is a nine-year veteran of the 4-H Beef program. “I attend a lot of spring jackpots and summer shows,” she says. “It’s a lot of work. You have to be dedicated to it, definitely – but it’s fun work.” The Serhienkos operate a beef operation near Maymont, SK.
The exciting thing for Katie is the $10,000 scholarship coming her way as Grand Champion. “It’s unbelievably handy,” she says. “I can’t thank the Stampede enough for this.” Katie intends to attend Lakeland College in Vermilion to study Agri-Business with an eye to eventually continuing her studies at university.
As a parent looking at the cost of post-secondary education, the Steer Classic scholarship money is especially welcome, says Katie’s father, Dennis. “This is new for the Stampede, going to a junior show and heavily weighted scholarships. It’s really invigorated us. In our local 4-H in Saskatoon, people have heard about it and are talking about coming out next year.”
Katie has had good luck with this steer in previous shows, but nothing like the Stampede win. “He’s won a lot before,” says Dennis. “This is the biggest one. This is the Stanley Cup of the cow shows.”
As in previous years, the Grand Champion steer was auctioned off and brought a winning bid of $24,000. The proceeds from the auction go to a self-sustaining Stampede post-secondary scholarship fund.
“It’s very exciting,” Katie says. “I can’t put it into words.”
Calgary Stampede - UFA Junior Steer Classic Results
Grand Champion - Katie Serhienko, Maymont, SK
Reserve Champion - Shilo Schaake, Westmoreland, KS, USA
Group One - 1st Riley Chalack, Carstairs, AB
2nd Tyler McMurray, Rocky View, AB
Group Two - 1st Aiden Jamieson, Dalemead, AB
2nd Levi Martin, Warburg, AB
Group Three - 1st Daniel Barfett, Wallacetown, ON
2nd Lee Jensen, Taber, AB
Group Four – 1st Sydney Dalrymple, Redvers, SK
2nd Brandon Hertz, Duchess, AB
Group Five - 1st Shilo Schaake, Westmoreland, KS, USA
2nd Kosten Eaton, Lloydminster, AB
Group Six - 1st Cassidy Serhienko, Maymont, SK
2nd Megan Mcleod, Cochrane, AB
Group Seven – 1st Maguire Blair, Drake, SK
2nd Scott Barfett, Wallacetown, ON
Group Eight – 1st Abigail Brady, Craigmyle, AB
2nd Jennifer Jones, Lloydminster, SK
Group Nine – 1st Katie Serhienko, Maymont, SK
2nd Riley Lafrentz, Bienfait, SK
Group Ten - 1st Dakota Townsend, Sylvan Lake, AB
2nd Jacey Massey, Strathmore, AB
About the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned 10-day Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.
For more information, please contact:
Nicole Henson Amy Evelein
Agriculture Media Committee Chair Agriculture Program Coordinator
Mobile: (403) 875-9808 Office: (403) 261-9159
agmedia@calgarystampede.com aevelein@calgarystampede.com
