by Lilly Platts
The Simbrah-Simmental Superbowl has awarded over $1.3 million to youth since its inception through scholarships, prize money, and premiums. The popular breeder-sponsored program continues to grow, supporting the future of the Simmental and Simbrah breeds.
A Team Effort
The Simbrah-Simmental Superbowl started as an idea among Texas producers and friends, Tim Smith, Carlos Guerra, and Billy Wentz. The group wanted to support youth in the breed while also promoting their fellow Simbrah and Simmental producers. The answer was an annual event supported by $1,000 breeder sponsorships. In return, any heifers purchased from these breeders would be eligible to show at the yearly event. The group started reaching out to their fellow breeders, and soon had a group of sponsors and an inaugural event to plan.
The first event was a success, and for 34 years now the Simbrah-Simmental Superbowl has been supporting youth and promoting the Lone Star State’s Simbrah and Simmental breeders. With an average of 35 to 40 breeders sponsoring the event every year, the $1,000 sponsorships have allowed for generous prize money, scholarships, and premiums to be handed out to participating youth.
The first Superbowl events were held in conjunction with the Belt Buckle Bonanza in Austin, and later Waco, Texas. The large multi-species event exposed the Superbowl and cattle to a larger audience. For the last 20 years, the Superbowl has been held during the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, which has further elevated the event’s popularity and success. Many participants are also able to enter their animals in breed shows, and this partnership also allows for the Simbrah and Simmental breeds to be featured during the national event.
Tim Smith at the 2026 event.
More Than a Show
The organization is entirely volunteer-run, with an emphasis on bringing in new youth and breeders. Smith continues helping lead the organization, alongside Guerra. He shared that the funds touch as many participants as possible, with classes like showmanship being placed and awarded down to tenth place. A random drawing for $250 scholarships, where every participant throws their name in the hat, shares these funds with everyone, no matter their competitiveness in the show ring. “We want to make it worthwhile for all kids,” Smith said.
The group has maintained a focus on showmanship, and skills that reach beyond the show ring. Participants are split into over a dozen showmanship groups, with the winner of each group coming back for the final drive. Winning overall grand and reserve-place showman at the Superbowl is a serious accomplishment, and something Smith and the group want to emphasize. First and second place are awarded $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. “It isn’t about how much you paid for your heifer, but also how hard you worked,” he said.
The breed shows at the Superbowl are extremely competitive. One of the organization’s founding goals was to promote and elevate Simbrah and Simmental breeders in the state of Texas. Youth have long played a critical role in promoting individual seedstock programs, traveling to shows throughout the country, and ultimately placing genetics in new herds. Breeders who sponsor the Superbowl are the beneficiaries of this, with their females competing at the event and beyond. Many sponsors
attend the Superbowl, which brings breeders together while also allowing participating youth to build relationships in the industry. Breeders who sponsor and sell heifers eligible for the Superbowl must reside in Texas, but youth are allowed to live outside of the state.
The Superbowl is solely funded by breeder sponsorships, with no additional funds accepted from other producers, organizations, or businesses. This structure has maintained an emphasis on breeder participation and partnerships. Sponsors have become involved with the Superbowl in a variety of ways, from industry relationships to learning about the program from their junior customers.
Other participation and support is not discouraged, however. The American Simmental Association has been a longtime supporter of the Superbowl, with leadership attending the event and participating in educational opportunities. ASA EVP Dr. Jon DeClerck attended the 2026 Superbowl event.
Education is a priority at the Superbowl, with attendees having the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, and also participate in things that may be new to them. DNA testing has been standard at the Superbowl for many years, with all winners being required to collect a sample on their animal for parent verification. Participants also have the opportunity to collect DNA on other heifers, exposing them to the process, and also supporting the overall integrity of the breed. “It’s about keeping the
database accurate,” Smith explained. “It gives the Association a larger amount of DNA, and supports ASA’s mission.”
A Lasting Legacy
Smith is proud of the event’s success and the impact it has had on youth in the Simbrah and Simmental breeds. “What we set out to do has been accomplished,” he said. “It’s a very talked-about show here in Texas, and among Simbrah breeders, and it’s the longest-running show sponsored by breeders for youth across all breeds. It has a very positive reputation.” The 2026 event drew 109 entries, with 40 individual breeder sponsors. Eli Smallwood and Will Shelby judged the showmanship classes, percentage Simmental, percentage Simbrah, and purebred Simmental shows. PJ Budler judged the purebred Simbrah show. The breed classes and showmanship were extremely competitive, with the top places representing Simbrah and Simmental programs throughout Texas. The scholarships, prize money, and premiums handed out at the 2026 show pushed the total funds shared through the Superbowl over the $1.3 million mark.
The Simbrah-Simmental Superbowl will celebrate its 35th anniversary in February of 2027 during the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo.
To learn more about the event and organization, visit simbrah-simmentalsuperbowl.net.
