MERCEDES — Sophia Reyes beamed with delight after leaving the arena with Petunia.
“I am proud of her because she got her buckle,” said Sophia, 10, gripping the rope to maintain control of Petunia, a Santa Gertrudis heifer who’d just taken third place in her category.
The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo 2023 kicked off Thursday with students presenting their breeding animals.
Petunia had won several buckles for Sophia the past two years. This would be the last show for Petunia, but one of many for Sophia, a student at Norma Linda Trevino Elementary School in Edinburg.
Her uncle, Larry Garza, gestured toward the energetic young girl in the pink bow as she left the arena.
“She selects her own cattle, and she breeds her own cattle,” Garza said. “My family has been in the business since 1960.”
While kids struggled with their breeding animals and the voices of judges boomed through the air, families swept into the grounds and enjoyed plates of cheese nachos while flags rippled over food vendors.
They waited in line for pizza slices, flautas and sausage on a stick, and the air carried with it the smells that would tease visitors for the next 10 days.
Carnival rides stood by in silent anticipation for the crowds of youngsters who would soon accept the challenges and the thrill of it all.
Carino Saldivar-Sandoval and her family were making their way to the archery competition where her son, Daniel Saldivar, was preparing to demonstrate his skill.
“We are coming here to support Nikki Rowe FFA from McAllen,” she said. “My son is part of the program.”
I have been doing this since I was 7 years old. I just made sure to feed them the right feed, worked with them, picking the right cow to show.
At the arena where the competition took place – it began only last year – students from throughout South Texas lined up with bows drawn and arrows tight against strings and sent them sailing into their targets a few yards away.
“I have been doing archery since I was little but not competitively,” said Audrey Hernandez, 15, a sophomore at Los Fresnos High School.
“I go bow hunting with my brother for small game like rabbits,” Audrey said. “We do bow fishing in the canals.”
Back in the livestock show barn, 9-year-old Cade Bram struggled with his Santa Gertrudis heifer, which knocked him off balance for a moment. He recovered quickly, then entered the arena where he won reserve champion, running a close second with his brother Caleb who took grand champion.
“I’m really happy that I won here today,” said Caleb, 14, an eighth grader at Louise ISD Junior High. Louise is a small community between Houston and Victoria.
“I have been doing this since I was 7 years old,” he said. “I just made sure to feed them the right feed, worked with them, picking the right cow to show.”
His brother Cade was full of energy and vigor after taking reserve champion.
“It feels good because I never had that before,” he said, his eyes lighting up under his straw hat.
He and his brother Caleb seem to have a tradition of participating — and apparently winning — livestock shows.
What’s their secret?
Cade had a quick answer, “Work real hard and never give up.”
The livestock show promises more excitement in the coming days. Friday’s schedule includes a full day of carnival rides, Lanky’s Corner, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, and the judging of breed animals. Judges will also take a look at students’ shop projects.
Saturday’s activities will feature a multitude of attractions, including the parades through downtown Mercedes into the livestock show grounds.
To see more, view Brownsville Herald photojournalist Denise Cathey’s full photo gallery here:
Photo Gallery: Livestock Show kicks off with heifers, archery contest, good food
