Houston Steer Judge

Got home to see what the word was on Mark.  I think he went out of his way to make sure every calf got a hard look.  Pulled every calf that was close.  Nailed the mic and was truly humbled to be there.  That's the best job I've seen in a while.  Maybe not quite the emphasis on structure that I'd hoped but close.

I heard he did a fabulous job also!

He did outstanding! Sorted the cattle, worked with the kids, and handled the mic like a pro. Haven't heard that positive feedback on a judge through the barn in a long time!

I've shown under his daddy since back in the mid 80s. I thought his dad gave the best set of reasons at a major I'd ever heard last year at Houston.  But his son just outdid him.

His job on Class 5 AOBs will be hard to beat - especially his explanation.  Brandon Horn had one of the best slick black calves I've ever laid eyes on - but he stood 4th because he was a tick straight on his back legs.  If he didnt care about structure, that calf could have won the whole thing.  The judges opening statement on that class was something along these lines (I wish it was recorded somewhere).  He said that he often has to explain what he's looking for in steers to people that dont really know cattle.  He used a football analogy.  He said he's looking for a middle linebacker - not the biggest, stoutest man on the field nor the fastest or most agile - he wants the guy that's bad enough to take on any running back from sideline to sideline.  His actual words didnt sound hokey at all - they made perfect sense.

Year after next - I wish Fort Worth would break tradition one time and let Mark and his dad judge that show together.  I dont think his dad gets around good enough to do it by himself, but in my opinion those two should get a chance to do it together.

There were hints that Mark Hogue could be political.  I didnt see a single hint of that anywhere.

I dont think his dad gets around good enough to do it by himself,

Don't let the old man catch you saying that!

The last part of his comment anout the steer in class 5 was that "he wanted that middle linebacker with a splash of super model!"
It was a very appropriate and articulate analogy.

I thought he did an excellent job! He was thorough, and even when he got ahead of himself he would go back and correct it.
We got pulled, then he told my son why he could not use him. We already knew it, but he told my son in a nice way and I respected that.
I'd be happy to show under him any day. I loved the cattle that he picked too.

I am a huge Dan Hogue fan and after Houston I am an even bigger Mark Hogue fan!  Dr. Hogue is a real class act.  Maybe OSU should consider replacing Thompson with Mark Hogue???  I like the way Mr. Chambers is thinking, but Ft. Worth is so hung up on swimming up stream they can't even control the entry into the show ring.  Wish I had shot a video of that battle this year.

Not to get off track on Fort Worth, but their staging area is much bigger than San Antonio or Houston.  The classes are just do much bigger in the exotics and we dont want them rubbing their hair down so we all try to spread out.  Im afraid if we give Ft Worth too much heck we'll lose our last hair show.  It might still be bad, but it was much better this year than in years past.

I thought Mr. Hogue was telling some kids why they didnt get pulled, but didnt know for sure.  A judge can do that when he has three days and much smaller classes to sort them.

I feel like he brought the good ones to the top in every breed that I watched.  He picks his cattle the way I like them, middle of the road, sound, and not to extreme one way or the other.  He also liked good showmanship.  With all things being equal on the cattle, a good stick would usually place higher in the class.  Congrats to all the families who branded and saw their hard work pay off. (clapping)

Our first Houston Show (scramble steer) and what a great experience. We made sale even though he dropped us from 2 to 3 at the very end. But I definitely knew why and agreed... Mark Hogue is awesome. Loved how he controlled the ring, looked at each animal. Great new generation of a judge! Heard nothing but good...