Happiness for Jim and Laura Symens means winning three breed classes and grand champion at the Calgary Stampede steer show.
The British Columbia couple made a 12 hour trip with their show steers and two small children in tow from their Maple Ridge farm.
Their solid red Simmental steer born March 2005 has been a repeat champion at other jackpot shows and earned them more than $9,000 in prize money and sales proceeds at Calgary.
The steer was bought by the Stampede and sold in a charity auction for $10,000 to local restaurant owner Paul Vickers.
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The family owns a feedlot and purebred operation called Wynnyk Farms and won the same prize in 2001 with a Simmental steer.
“They were looking for good steers and I was selling the best steers,” said Jim.
They raise purebred Angus, Lim-ousin and Shorthorn and keep commercial cows to raise show steers. They sell about a dozen prospect steers each year and have the largest cattle show supply dealership in Canada.
Travelling to the major shows each summer and fall combines business with pleasure.
“We spend 30 days on the road from the time we go to Edmonton (Northlands) to Agribition,” said Jim.
The Symens brought four entries from their farm, including Limousin, Maine Anjou and an open. They were also consigned to show a Shorthorn for a friend, which won its class.
Reserve grand champion went to Shologan Stock Farm of Rochester, Alta.
In the market heifer show, grand champion went to Stewart Cattle Co. of Russell, Man., and reserve went to Brad Lamport of Balzac, Alta.
The Stampede steer classic is open to all breeds that show in their own categories with a final showdown where they are judged against each other for the grand champion banner.
