09/28/2026
Today’s story is about two beautiful young ladies, one special feeder calf who came back as a steer, and the journey in between! 💚🐮
Cookies and Cream was definitely a one-of-a-kind steer. Payton did not show him as a feeder, but Miss Collette did and boy, what a showman she is! Cookies was born for the show ring, and Collette definitely grew and trained a very well mannered, confident calf. I believe he took after her! 😉
But Cookies was more than just a show steer for Payton. He was exactly the steer she needed this past year.
As Payton continues through her knee injury and surgery journey, which is still ongoing but thankfully feels like we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, Cookies was always so calm and patient with her. He was always willing to walk slow and easy. He never made her feel like she had to rush or push beyond what she could do.
They just clicked.
They worked so well together that their steps seemed to always be in sync. With every step, they became closer and more talented together. Of course, they had their off days too when one or both of them didn’t really want to cooperate. They would have their little disagreements, spatting just like siblings or friends. 😂 But they always worked through it and came back together, and watching them grow as a team was something special.
If any of that sounds weird to you, ask just about any show family or kid. They’ll understand.
Because there is a bond and friendship between a kid and their show animal that has to be cared for just like any other relationship.
When you are asking a 1,600 pound animal to willingly be led around on a halter by a 115 pound girl, there is SO much more that goes into making that relationship work. That animal doesn’t have to do what she asks. There has to be trust, patience, consistency, understanding and a whole lot of work from both sides.
And that is what makes the relationship between kids and cattle so amazing to watch.
Cookies helped Payton build her confidence and her showing ability during a year when she was dealing with more physically than any kid should have to. This past year looked so much different than she had planned. He gave her the patience she needed, and together they learned how to work with each other.
Collette won Junior Showman of Showman with Cookies and Cream as a feeder calf at the 2025 Champaign County Fair. Then, in 2026, Payton and Cookies went on to win Steer FFA Showman of Showman at the Champaign County Fair! 🏆
I know these girls worked their butts off with Cookies, and they both did amazing things with him. The second you put his halter on, he was ready to go ready to strut his stuff with those ears on point every single time. You could tell he knew exactly what his job was! So much so that when us old people showed him at the open show in the adult showmanship class and at the fair in the adult showmanship class he made us look like we were not old and could still show🤣
I am so happy I got to be a part of this journey with both of these girls and that I had the opportunity to get to know Collette and her family better. She is an amazing young lady that works hard at everything she does. It is amazing how one feeder calf can lead to friendships, memories, and two amazing girls who are willing to put in the work and do big things.
And these two girls don’t just show cattle. They are hard workers in so many different aspects of life. They give everything they do their all, and that is something we are definitely proud of in both of them.
I can’t wait to see where these two young ladies go next! 🐮💚
And now Cookies has finished his job with these girls, but his job isn’t really over.
Cookies is now providing the nutrients a family needs for the next year. 💚
There is something so satisfying about knowing our families were able to bond over this steer. To watch these girls build a relationship with him, to see what a special and kind soul he was, and to see the impact he had on both of them is something we will always be grateful for.
He gave these girls memories, confidence, friendships, and so many lessons. He did his job and honestly, he did it above and beyond.
And now he gets to fulfill another important role for another special family.
That is one of the things I love most about raising cattle. Their story doesn’t end when they leave the show ring. They continue to serve a purpose and provide for others.
One calf. Two incredible girls. Two Showman of Showman (junior and FFA)titles. A friendship between families. A lifetime of memories. And now, nourishment for another family.
What a special journey Cookies and Cream had. 💚🐮
