* WBBM…
Governor JB and First Lady MK Pritzker reprised their routine as the two final bidders for the grand champion steer at the Sale of Champions at the Illinois State Fair.
The first lady again prevailed, tying her own 2021 record with a $105,000 bid.
It’s a prize that will partly go toward the college education of the steer’s shower.
21-year-old Ashtin Guyer of Robinson, Ill. will be a senior at Western Illinois University. She raised King, the steer who received the winning bid.
* The State Journal-Register…
It was a fitting cap for Guyer’s showing career. She started at the age of 6 and worked her way up to winning a Grand Championship at 21. The Western Illinois University student said the experience was something that went beyond simple words or feelings.
“It’s unexplainable,” Guyer said. “You can’t tell anyone how it feels and the emotions that you have going through you. I’m so proud and so blessed.”
At more than 1,300 pounds, King brings a little bit of an attitude to the show ring. Ashtin said the attitude died down somewhat as he aged, maturing into an impressive-enough specimen to be named Grand Champion at the state fair.
“When we first got him, he had a little bit of a fire under him,” she said. “The older he’s gotten, he’s mellowed.”
You can find pictures from SJ-R’s Thomas Turney here.
* WCIS…
These accomplished young exhibitors represent the future of our state’s number one industry and they have dedicated their young lives to this work,” Gov. Pritzker said.
* WTAX…
“About 5:00 every morning they come in and go into a cooler room that stays at 47 degrees, and they don’t get turned out until midnight, 1:00,” said Ashtin Geyer, 21, of Robinson, Ill. “That cooler room helps grow their hair. That’s his routine, and his routine’s pretty laid-back. He gets to hang out in the cool while it’s hot outside.”
Geyer, who will be a senior at Western Illinois University, showed King – whose posh life leads to an ignominious end.
The Pritzkers are donating him to a food bank.
- H-W - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 3:08 pm:
Ah. Gotta love those Leathernecks at WIU. Congratulations, Ashtin Geyer. You make us all proud at Western Illinois University.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 3:15 pm:
Politicians are known for their bull. Today, JB is known for Ashtin Guyer’s(sp?) bull. Good luck at WIU Ashtin.
- Countrygirl - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 3:37 pm:
Norseman- a bull is not a steer.. Google it.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 3:48 pm:
Countrygirl, I’m sure you wouldn’t steer me wrong.
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 3:56 pm:
My sons showed lambs and pigs at the Lake County Fair when they were in the 4-H program at Glenview Clovers at Wagner Farm in Glenview. At the auction in Lake County, various members of the extended Pritzker clan would bid on the 4-H animals as well. They and other community bidders really make the kids feel good about all their hard work.
- Northsider - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 4:11 pm:
This post is so Bos.
- Proud Sucker - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 4:13 pm:
Also, it looks like Ashtin’s sister (or cousin) Nalaney won GC for her Hampshire sheep. Nice work to both young ladies.
- Earnest - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 4:21 pm:
As a person who works in agriculture, I would bet Bailey will have a real zinger of an answer planned the fist time he gets asked about this in a press conference. Oh, wait…
- Union thug - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 4:27 pm:
With all the bull flying around, someone got to steer the conversation
- Amalia - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 4:27 pm:
Love the participation to highlight this event. LOL heard one news story say the Gov did not win but they did not add the part about MK.
- Bob Meter - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 5:00 pm:
Poor steer should be pardoned, like the presidential Thanksgiving turkey, instead of heading to the slaughter house.
- Countrygirl - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 5:06 pm:
Bob Meter all the meat from the steer is donated to foodbanks in Illinois- that is a worthy cause, don’t you think?
- bartelby - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 6:40 pm:
What a sweet moment with a couple that enjoys being with one another and doing good at the same time. I can understand how that would enrage ILGOP to no end; “Another tax break for the governor and not for you!”
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 6:45 pm:
Boy tough contest. You win Grand Champion you get a trophy and a trip to slaughterhouse. Makes second place look good
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 9:09 pm:
Cool stuff by the Pritzker’s, love the backstory too.
State Fair is truly a wonderful time.
- Jibba - Wednesday, Aug 17, 22 @ 9:59 pm:
===Boy tough contest. ===
I think he already lost becoming a steer.