National Western Stock Show Icon Talks Rodeo Growth, Water Wars & Ag Scholarships
Trent Loos sits down with Leon Vick, the new Vice President of Rodeo and Western Heritage at the National Western Stock Show, for a wide-ranging conversation packed with insider details. Leon breaks down the massive scale of the event, including nearly 860 horses competing over 16 days, and reveals the strict animal health protocols keeping livestock safe, from 11 on-site veterinarians to a bio-welfare partnership with Merck. The two dig into rodeo's booming popularity, debating whether Yellowstone fueled the surge or simply rode the wave. They also tackle tough industry issues, including a cattle shortage tied to the closed Mexican border, skyrocketing roping calf prices, and the growing threat corporate water use poses to Colorado ranchers. On a brighter note, Leon shares how the National Western hands out roughly $680,000 in scholarships each year and highlights the hands-on Catch-a-Calf program inspiring the next generation of agriculturalists.
