EmpowerU Podcast: An Honor & A Privilege… The Post Game Sort Featuring Blake Nelson

Host: Weston Hendrix
Guest: Blake Nelson
Date: March 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of EmpowerU dives deep into the judging experience at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, one of the most prestigious livestock events in Texas. Host Weston Hendrix is joined by renowned livestock judge Blake Nelson for a thorough “post-game” breakdown of the show’s major breed divisions and the decision-making process behind his selections. The conversation covers ring dynamics, breed evolution, showmanship, memorable moments, and candid advice for exhibitors, all in the spirit of advancing knowledge and confidence within the livestock industry.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Adapting to Judging Slick Steers & Show Ring Nuances

• Blake's Adjustments:
  • Coming from Missouri & Oklahoma, Blake reflects on the transition to judging slick steers in Texas (cattle shown without hair), noting that it takes time to train your eye.
    • "With anything you take the hair off, you know, adjusting your eyes...structural build, proportion and balance, muscle shape—if anything muscle shape’s darn sure easier to see. But the big thing for me is probably bone and body is what's different.” (Blake, 01:25)
• First Impressions:
  • How cattle enter the ring and their gate affects initial impressions. Going too slow to mask flaws can actually hinder more than help.
    • “Slowing them down just draws my attention to study that structural flaw that much harder...just a good natural gait.” (Blake, 02:54)

2. What Makes a Calf Memorable?

• Standout animals grab attention immediately, but memorable moments can also be made through showmanship or as certain animals improved as they settled in the ring.
  • “When the water’s that deep, just how important showmanship is, and getting that animal presented.” (Blake, 05:21)

3. Impact of Show Environment & Lighting

• Houston’s lighting creates challenges, especially with black cattle, due to shadowing and contrast differences compared to other rings like San Antonio:
  • “At Houston, when we transitioned into some black cattle, I really had to bear down and look at them. Just the way the shadows are...they look a little frailer in terms of their bone work.” (Blake, 07:04)

4. Breed-by-Breed Assessment & Judge’s Logic

Day One Highlights

• Charolais (08:20): Deep breed, with multiple quality contenders. Compared to previous years, the cattle were both stouter and better built.
• Simmental (10:13): Grand and reserve reflected different types—one improved over time, the other was “a rhino” but lost edge due to excessive shoulder.
• Maines (12:04): Power was abundant; focus needed to be on structural correctness and balance.
• American Breeds & Simmbras (13:53, 16:27): Noted major improvement over recent years. The champion Simbra stood out for density and mobility; color patterns like tiger stripes required more careful visual assessment.
  • Memorable moment: A young showgirl fell but “dusted off and showed the wheels off of him”—a testament to perseverance (Blake, 17:48).
• Brangus (18:15): Extremely deep, with the top cattle set apart by completeness and mobility rather than mass alone.

Day Two Highlights

• Brahmans (20:07): Noted for their striking evolution; as good in muscle as any breed, now with increased balance and eye appeal.
  • “So cool for me to find not only ones that I loved for their stoutness and their shape. But you turn them to the side and you’re like, hey...that one is stellar looking.” (Blake, 20:59)
• ABCs & AOCs (25:17, 27:51): Great variation in both, especially in color and build. Top cattle in each class often exhibited a perfect balance of American character and overall mass.
• Wave 1 vs Wave 2 AOC Classes (27:51):
  • Wave 1 felt like a gamble for those not sure where their cattle fit; Wave 2 was deeper but the top contenders had more mass and presence.

British Breeds

• Angus (31:42): Evolving quickly; top steer was “my kind and you could have maybe gone a couple different ways for Reserve.”
• Limousin (34:07): Steers were bolder, fresher than previous years, but occasionally judged based on hip structure.
• Hereford-Horned & Polled (35:57, 38:03): Fewer standouts, but champion horned could compete in any breed due to elite build.
• Red Angus, Shorthorn (39:45, 42:32): Noted breed gains in depth and type. Handling challenging animals in the ring and recognizing growth in classification quality were key.

Final Day: Crossbreds & AOCs (49:40, 51:45):

• Black Crosses: Top steer was a clear favorite with unmatched stoutness and mobility. Reserve was nearly as impressive after relaxing in the ring.
• Red Crosses & AOCs: Top end of each breed was as good as any, even if overall depth varied. Class 4 in AOCs was especially deep, and selection came down to overall “robustness.”

5. The Pre-Sort & Championship Decisions

• Blake methodically revisited all leading contenders, checking specifically on how wave one winners held up after a few days, and which animals improved or revealed new strengths.
  • “The charolais rolls in and, and to me, I thought he was fuller in terms of his center body than he was in wave one.” (Blake, 57:41)
• Main factors: overall mass, freshness, ability to present at their best even after several days of showing.

6. Culminating in the Grand & Reserve Selections

• The climactic selection process at the rodeo, balancing breed characteristics and the practical question of “enough dog for the fight” (sheer presence and finish for the big stage).
  • “That yellow one was just. He checked every box I like and then some.” (Blake, 62:37)

7. The Honor & Emotional Toll

• Blake describes the exhaustion and fulfillment of the role, with a candid comment about the necessity to “earn” that tiredness through focus and honest evaluations for every exhibitor.
  • “If I wasn’t exhausted then I didn’t work as hard as I should have.” (Blake, 65:34)
  • “I thought every kid that hits that ring deserves a good look, deserves my attention. And I felt like I definitely delivered there.” (Blake, 63:17)

Memorable Quotes

• On Judging Slicks:

  "With anything you take the hair off, you know, adjusting your eyes...they’re not going to look as stout boned right away...But the big thing for me is probably bone and body is what’s different when you’re looking at an animal with its clothes off."
  — Blake Nelson [01:25]

• On Showmanship:

  "When the water’s that deep, just how important showmanship is, and getting that animal presented."
  — Blake Nelson [05:21]

• On Lighting Challenges:

  "At Houston, when we transitioned into some black cattle, I really had to bear down and look at them. There’s just the way the shadows are...they look a little frailer in terms of their bone work."
  — Blake Nelson [07:04]

• On Emotional Investment:

  "It was overwhelming. But at the same time, like, I’ve been thinking about it ever since I got the call...Those kids get my A game. They deserve it. I know what's on the line, and they get my absolute honest opinion on the cattle and what I thought of them, and I worked hard at that."
  — Blake Nelson [63:17]

• On Judging Philosophy:

  "If structure problem's there, it's there. But if it’s not, don’t discount yourself by making that animal rock back on its heels."
  — Blake Nelson [02:54]

• On the Experience:

  "Going into that rodeo is unlike anything...the support that Texans have for their kids...is just unbelievable. Like, it's the envy of the rest of the country. And it should be, because those families, those kids, there’s a lot of time, money invested in heart and blood, sweat and tears. Like, it’s the deal. It was awesome."
  — Blake Nelson [63:17]

Notable Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------|:-------------:| | Opening & Introduction to Blake Nelson | 00:00-01:07 | | Judging Slick Steers—Adapting Vision | 01:07-02:22 | | Showmanship & Movement in the Ring | 02:36-04:54 | | Standout Calves & What Makes Them Memorable | 04:54-06:38 | | Challenges with Lighting & Black Cattle | 07:04-07:58 | | In-Depth Breed Discussion (Charolais to Red Angus) | 08:20-40:34 | | Black Crosses: Blake’s Type & Kind | 45:35-47:04 | | Red Crosses & Advanced AOC Classes | 49:40-55:21 | | The Pre-Sort & Final Evaluations | 57:21-60:34 | | The Rodeo Grand/Reserve Selection Process | 60:34-62:37 | | Reflections & Emotional Aftermath | 63:17-65:34 |

Final Reflections

• Continuous Improvement: Both Weston and Blake reinforce the importance of progression, open-mindedness, and giving exhibitors meaningful, honest feedback.
  • “Having a progressive mindset and growing in your ability to be better and better is something you need to always have in your mind.” — Weston Hendrix [62:37]
• Recognition of Community: Blake gives special credit to breeders, families, show crews, and volunteers for their dedication and the strength of the Texas livestock scene.
• Educational Takeaway: From showmanship strategy to breed-specific advice, the episode is a goldmine for exhibitors aiming to succeed at major shows.

Summary

Through a detailed, transparent conversation, this episode offers rare insight into the mindset, challenges, and philosophy of a major livestock judge. With honest opinions and seasoned advice, Blake Nelson provides invaluable education—both for show veterans and those new to the Texas major circuit. The dialogue honors the hard work of all participants and reveals what it takes to rise to the top at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

EmpowerU: Where experience, mentorship, and transparency empower the next generation of leaders in the livestock industry.