Johnny Rust, 15, of Meeker earned an entry into the 118th National Western Stock Show Catch-A-Calf program; as well as the 2024 Vet Science 101 Educational Seminar. Rust qualified by written essay and attended the Vet Science 101 Invitational Educational Course on Jan. 6 where he learned from experts on livestock nutrition, animal husbandry and best management practices. Rust then returned the following weekend, competing with 40 other youth from Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado to attain a calf in the Catch-A-Calf Contest.
The program began in 1935 when 10 boys caught 10 sponsored calves. The contest grew and soon after World War II, 40 calves were offered. That continues to be the number offered today. Each January, participants gather in Denver, Colorado, to catch a calf during a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in the Denver Coliseum.
This year, the National Western Stock Show had a record-breaking year for attendance with more than 670,000 people entering the gates. Rust was focused and had a plan, attaining his catch within the first couple of minutes of the contest while demonstrating agility, strength and patience.
Rust will return to Denver to pick up his calf in the first part of May and plans to prepare to compete at the 2025 National Western Stock Show.
Participants in the Catch-A-Calf program are judged on showmanship, record books and a personal interview; steers are judged on production and carcass quality.
Rust would like to thank those who have supported him along the way, including his family: Steven and Rachel Rust (parents) of Rust Farms, Rick and Eileen Koch (grandparents); and a special thanks to his teachers and leaders: Kelly LeBlanc for teaching his IEW (writing class), Kendra Ward (4-H leader) and Wool, Meat, Horse Judging Coach Silvia Smith (4-H leader) for igniting dreams and showing him learning can be fun.
