The Arizona National Livestock Show serves as the Southwest's largest livestock show. Dedicated to increasing public awareness of the livestock and agriculture industries and supporting the youth in those industries, the Arizona National Livestock Show has been held annually in Phoenix since 1948, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The show is held at the Arizona State Fairgrounds from December 27th-31st and welcomes exhibitors from over 30 states and Canada. Events comprise shows for cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and horses, along with educational programming with Farm Experience and Ag Mechanics. Related programming such as the Stock Dog Trials, Ranch Rodeo, and Cowboy Classics Western Art Show and Sale provide for a diverse experience.
History
Early Days: The Phoenix Stock Show (1948–1951)
On June 16th, 1948, a select group of Arizona cattle and businessmen gathered at the Westward Ho Hotel to organize what would become the Arizona National Livestock Show. Phoenix-based lawyer Frank Snell was selected from amongst their ranks to become the first show president, and Dr. E.L. Scott and Hester Cochran were tasked with organizing it. The inaugural "Phoenix Stock Show" opened on December 14th 1948 at the Arizona State Fair Commission facilities and welcomed 42 exhibitors from five different states, 449 Hereford, Angus, and Shorthorn cattle, and an estimated 6550 attendees. The show was considered a resounding success and plans for the next one began immediately.
The Board hired Lee and Pearl TePoel, formerly affiliated with the National Western Stock Show in Denver, to take over direction of the show and they moved to Phoenix in summer 1949. The second Phoenix Stock Show, held in January 1950, saw roughly the same attendance despite the addition of a new classification system for junior steers in the junior division. Brahman cattle were added to the show and a calf scramble was planned in a bid to increase public interest and directly appeal to young members of local 4-H clubs and FFA chapters.
Going National: The Arizona National Livestock Show (1952–1965) The Phoenix Stock Show continued to grow and, with 13 states represented by exhibitors in 1952, was rebranded to the Arizona National Livestock Show in order to reflect the increasingly national character of the event and its participants. 1953 saw the addition of five buildings on the grounds, an outside show ring, and a night show in order to accommodate larger crowds and interest. The Hereford events proved especially popular and in 1954 the American Hereford Association filmed the Show and planned to use the footage for a film about the Hereford industry. They designated the event as a Hereford Register of Merit Show (ROM) the following year and returned to film the judging of Hereford classes. The number of cattle breeds present also continued to expand, with Santa Gertrudis added in 1957 and Charbray added in 1958.p
By 1960, only 12 years after the first show and 8 years after its rebranding, the Arizona National Livestock Show welcomed participants from 20 states and initiated partnerships with livestock and community organizations to offer a carcass display (with the Arizona Cattle Feeders Association) and demonstrations of meat cutting (National Livestock and Meat Board) and cooking (Arizona Public Service Company).
The following years saw a brief downturn, with the American Shorthorn Association and the International Charolais Association withdrawing from the breeding classes in 1961, and the loss of the Hereford ROM status in 1962. The Hereford ROM status was restored in 1964 and brought with it the inaugural Quarter Horse Show, complimenting the Arizona Fed Steer Show and the Carcass Show and Sale that were added in 1963. Hollywood began taking note as well, and both Rex Allen and reigning Miss America Vonda Kay Van Dyke were on hand in 1965 to present trophies and launch various events. With the number of events, participants, and attendees growing each year, the board of directors elected to start charging admission in 1965 to help offset expenses. Initial ticket prices were $1 for adults and $0.50 for children per day, or $4 and $1.50 respectively for the entire show
The Coliseum Years (1966–1979) Beginning in 1966, the Show was co-sponsored by the Arizona State Fair Commission. The newly finished Veteran's Memorial Coliseum venue was used for Junior division classes, banquets, and entertainment shows, while the outside show rings were reserved for events like the open cattle judging. Financial problems hit the Show in 1968 and 1969, largely due to waning support from the State of Arizona, but efforts from the community of volunteers and exhibitors pulled the Show through.
In 1971 the Show opened with mouthing, tattooing, and ear tagging of Junior Fat Steers and began jaw branding steers that qualified for the junior auction with an "A". The 24th Arizona National Livestock Show in 1972 was also the National Charolais Show and in 1978 Arizona was chosen to host the first ever Polled Hereford Show.
The 1970s also saw the incorporation of numerous non-livestock events, such as an Art Show in 1971 and a Food and Fiber Show in 1972. Arranged by Chuck Far of the Arizona Extension Service, the Food and Fiber Show featured agricultural products from their origin through final processing, such as food products and cotton, along with demonstrations and samples. It proved exceedingly popular and brought in over 8000 school children in 1973 alone. In honor of the Heritage Show in 1976 and Arizona's bicentennial, the Arizona Pioneer Stockmen Association (in collaboration with the Arizona State Cowbelles) was created to publish volumes of Arizona Pioneer Stockmen's history. Other new events included the American Quarter Horse Breed Association's Annual Select Quarter Horse Sale (1977), and the Arizona Agricultural Trade Fair (1977).
Entertainment offerings and celebrity guests grew in stature at the Show, featuring the likes of Rex Allen and his horse Koko (1966), John Wayne (1968), the Quadrille de Mujeres from Maricopa (1974), Lynn Anderson (1975, 1978), Tanya Tucker and Ray Stevens (1976), Tammy Wynette (1977), and Kenny Rogers (1979).1983 Arizona National Livestock Show Program, p. 19
Ladies Lead, introduced in 1979, which was a unique sheep and fashion show that highlighted women of all ages by combining livestock exhibition with fashion, where participants were judged on both their sheep and their wool or wool-blend attire. The event celebrated the full circle of agriculture by showcasing the connection between wool production and finished garments.
The Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo (1980–1999) The 1980s and 90s were a period of growth and restructuring, with new divisions, events, and behind-the-scenes organization. 1982 saw numerous organizational changes, such as a revised calf scramble featuring a year-long series of seminars aimed at helping exhibitors to develop a strong understanding of their projects. Other events and awards added in the 1980s included a farrier's contest and Junior Market Swine show (1980), mule show (1984), Premier Exhibitor Award (1984), adult sheep showmanship contest (1985), and the brief addition of Arabians to the horse show (1984-5). The Open Cattle Show also saw changes, with the addition of Limousin in 1981, Simbrah in 1986, and Gelbvieh in 1989.1981 Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo Premium List, p. 31982 Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo Horse Show Premium List, p. 3, 521984 Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo Show Program, p. 171989 Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo Show Program, p. 18-19, 26-27
The Arizona National Livestock Show Royalty Program was a leadership and outreach opportunity for youth to represent the Arizona National at major agricultural events across the state. Originally established in 1986 with the selection of young women as the Arizona National Queen, the program allowed youth to use their firsthand experience to educate the public, advocate for agriculture, and bridged the gap between the livestock community and those unfamiliar with the industry.1987 Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo Show Program, p. 29
Introduced in 1988, the Gentlemen's Classic was the male counterpart to the Ladies Lead contest, offering men of all ages the opportunity to showcase both their showmanship and style. Participants were judged on their sheep's presentation as well as their own attire, which must be made of wool or a 70% wool-blend, highlighting the connection between livestock and the products they help create.1988 Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo Show Program, p. 14-19, 23
The 1990s began in earnest with new events, such as the Cowboy Classics show featuring fine western art and gear, and the Western Wit and Wisdom program with cowboy poetry, traditional music, storytelling, and performances. Cowboy Artist Bill Owen was commissioned to produce an exclusive annual series of commemorative art, starting in 1990 with a piece entitled "American Bred Brahman".1990 Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo Premium List, p. 11990 Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo Show Program, p. 34-35 Horticulture divisions and a Landscape Expo were similarly introduced in 1990, FFA landscape and plant identification competitions in 1991, and the interactive Farm Experience for children in 1997.1991 Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo Premium List, p. 9
The Old Timers Rodeo, a key event at the Arizona National, included various rodeo events such as bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, ladies' barrel racing, and team roping. Initially open to members of the Old Timers Rodeo Association and Arizona residents over 40, the event became increasingly popular, earning recognition as the "Rodeo of the Year" by the National Old Timers Rodeo Association in 1984 and 1985. It was renamed the "Senior Pro Rodeo" in 1993.
Over the years, the event expanded to feature increased sponsorship, larger contestant participation, and enhanced media coverage. In 1996, the Arizona National Livestock Show incorporated a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo, marking a significant step in its evolution, rodeo activities included performances such as team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.1995 Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo Show Program, p. 1 Additionally, the introduction of the Ranch Rodeo and Working Ranch Horse Competition in 1998, along with the debut of the High School Rodeo in 1999, further diversified the rodeo offerings at the show.2012 Arizona National Livestock Show Program, p. 322000 Arizona National Livestock Show Program, p. 7
In order to reflect the increasingly diverse offerings, the Show's name was once again changed in 1996 to The Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo, although the updated logo was not in use until 1997.1996 Arizona Stock Show & Rodeo Show Program The 50th anniversary in 1998 saw the debut of a chuck wagon cook off. Featured entertainers for the anniversary were Daughters of the Purple Sage and Jerry Wayne Olson and Chief (his riding buffalo).
21st century In 2000, the Arizona Historical Foundation established an Arizona National Livestock Show collection as part of its larger archival holdings at Arizona State University's Hayden Library. In the years that followed, new events were added to the show, including the Junior Market Goat Show in 2002, the Saddlebred Show in 2004, the Supreme Stock Horse Show in 2005, and the Stock Dog Competition in 2006.2002 Arizona National Livestock Show Program, p. 12012 Arizona National Livestock Show Program, p. 31-322004 Arizona National Livestock Premium List, p. 1, 32005 Arizona National Livestock Show Premium List, p. 3 In 2003, the Arizona National Royalty Program transitioned to the Arizona National Ambassador Program, opening the role to both young women and men.2008 Arizona National Livestock Show Program, p. 12