Every stock show kid has a unique connection with their show animals but this heifer and her owner Cole Matkin might take the prize. And my favorite part of my job is sharing cool stories of our industry with readers like you!
Josie, a Hereford/Maine/Angus crossbred heifer, loves to play fetch with Cole each night when she’s turned out into the family’s arena. Turned loose, Josie heads straight for the ball. Watch the video, and you’ll even notice she’s voice-command trained too!
“It was hilarious! I was dying laughing when I took that video!” Cole says. “The coolest thing is she waits for my commands—she knows my voice and follows it.”
Matkin, a high school senior from Boerne, Texas, and his younger brother, Turner, purchased the heifer from James and Shannon Worrell of Worrell Enterprises, LLC after winning the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Calf Scramble.
“Josie and I have an amazing bond—there is so much difference between cattle and goats. She has so much more personality to her,” Cole says. He and Josie will be making their rounds at shows this fall.
“Right now we are getting Josie prepped for our show season and the Houston Calf Scramble Prospect Show, Oct. 31.”
Matkin’s had a lot of success showing goats, even winning at Houston, Fort Worth and Austin show, but this is his first year showing cattle. His family has a commercial Brahman-Hereford operation and team ropes for fun.Cole plans to attend Texas A&M University next fall.
Good luck showing this year Cole! Win or lose, there is so much more our future generation learns when they show livestock. From responsibility, respectfulness and compassion to teamwork and financial management—know that our industry is proud of all our #stockshow kids!
