Cordrays win Champion Showman, raise over 23K at Governor's Charity Steer Show
The Cordray Family at the 2026 Governor’s Charity Steer Show (l-r) Comet, Dr. Aubrey and Collins, Hayes and Kevin Cordray. Submitted photo.
Team Comet, Dr. Aubrey and Hayes Cordray, win Champion Showman, raise $23,000 for charity
By KYLIE PORTZ
Since 1983, the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show has been drawing crowds and raising funds for the Ronald McDonald house at the Iowa State Fair.
Founded in 1983 by then Governor Terry Branstad, the show has raised over $6 million in donations to benefit the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa in Iowa City, Des Moines and Sioux City. This year, the event raised a record-breaking over $572,000 for the organization.
The event is hosted by the Office of the Governor of Iowa, the Iowa Cattleman’s Association and the Iowa Beef Industry Council and features 25 youth exhibitors and 25 local or state celebrity participants who each partner up to show the 25 sponsored steers in the ring.
This year, Humboldt’s Dr. Aubrey Cordray and her son, Hayes, partnered up to show “Comet” who was sponsored by the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. The team went on to win the title as Champion Showman.
For their efforts, Team Comet raised over $23,000 for the Ronald McDonald House charities. Hayes Crodray himself raised more than $13,000 through his fundraising efforts leading up to and following the show. Comet was second in the sale ring, according to Dr. Aubrey, and was purchased for $10,000 by Speed “The Sauceman” Herrig of Cookies BBQ Sauce.
Dr. Aubrey said, “At the end of the day, raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities is what this even is really all about and we’re so proud of what Team Comet and our community were able to contribute.”
She went on to describe the experience as one the family will never forget, calling the Governor’s Charity Steer Show, “the Disney of the Iowa State Fair.”
She shared, “One of my favorite parts was getting to know the exhibitors and their families. Because so many of the activities are done in tag order, we spent quite a bit of time with team number 20, Team Thunder from eastern Iowa, we were tag number 21.”
“Team Thunder was stalled next to Comet and our families became pretty close in a very short amount of time. That was one of those unexpected parts of the experience that made it even more special. Comet and Thunder became pretty good buddies too!”
“There is so much more to the event than what people see during the actual show,” Dr. Aubrey said, “After arrival and check-in, the exhibitors have a meeting and then participate in beef advocate training. I really appreciate that because it wasn’t just about showing cattle. The kids learned more about the beef industry as a whole and the importance of being able to tell their story and advocate for agriculture.”
Read the FULL STORY in this week's issue of the Humboldt Independent!
