Four students from the Ottumwa Radio coverage area have been selected to participate in the 44th Annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show, set for Saturday, August 15th at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, with the show beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the Livestock Pavilion and the sale starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Penningroth Media Center, according to the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show Facebook page and website.
The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show, founded in 1983 by then-Governor Terry Branstad in partnership with the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $6 million for the three Ronald McDonald House chapters in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City, which together have served more than 55,000 families from all 50 states and more than 62 foreign countries. The event takes place annually on the first Saturday of the Iowa State Fair and has become one of the most recognizable charity events in the United States. Governor Kim Reynolds is among the celebrities participating in this year’s show, representing Steer No. 1 alongside exhibitor Kayle Englin of Orange City.
During the show, 25 sponsors from across Iowa each pair a youth exhibitor with a celebrity to represent their steer. Participants compete for the Overall Champion Steer, People’s Choice, Showmanship, and Community Hero Awards before the steers head to the auction block to raise additional funds. Those interested in donating to any of the 25 steers can visit donorbox.org/governor-s-charity-steer-show-2026 and select the steer of their choice.
The four local participants are:
Kinzey Lobberecht of Oskaloosa will exhibit steer No. 4, named Trigger, sponsored by Mahaska County Cattlemen and Friends, with NCBA President Gene Copenhaver serving as her celebrity. Kinzey has wanted to participate in the Governor’s Charity Steer Show for some time — her sister had the opportunity to exhibit when she was in fourth grade and still talks about the experience. She is passionate about raising money for the Ronald McDonald Houses because she knows many people who have used them. A junior at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont this fall, Kinzey has been showing cattle for six years and is the daughter of Kiley and Jeremy Lobberecht. To donate on her behalf, visit donorbox.org/governor-s-charity-steer-show-2026 and select Steer No. 4.
Lylah Houk of Blakesburg — one half of a sister duo competing in this year’s show — will exhibit steer No. 13, named Touchdown, sponsored by Monroe County Cattlemen and Supporters. Her celebrity is country music artist Jason Brown, whom she has already had the chance to meet backstage at one of his concerts. Lylah wanted to participate to help raise money for the Ronald McDonald House because she has family and friends who have used the houses. She will be a junior at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont this fall, has been showing cattle for four years, and is the daughter of Curt and Stephanie Houk. To donate on her behalf, visit donorbox.org/governor-s-charity-steer-show-2026 and select Steer No. 13.
Sawyer Goehring of Douds will exhibit steer No. 22, named Alfred, sponsored by the District 20 Cattlemen’s Associations, with University of Iowa All-American wrestler Gabe Arnold serving as his celebrity. Sawyer is excited to participate in the show for a great cause while also stepping outside his comfort zone and meeting new people. He will be a senior at Cardinal this fall, has been showing cattle for five years, and is the son of Cody Goehring, Tia Goehring, and Tori Pope. To donate on his behalf, visit donorbox.org/governor-s-charity-steer-show-2026 and select Steer No. 22.
Cheyenne Houk of Blakesburg — Lylah’s older sister and the other half of the sibling duo — will exhibit steer No. 25, named Fish, sponsored by the Iowa Angus Association, with 2026 Miss American Angus Claire Murnin serving as her celebrity. This is Cheyenne’s second time participating in the Governor’s Charity Steer Show. Like her sister, Cheyenne has a personal connection to the cause. According to her exhibitor profile, thirteen years ago her cousin was born premature and spent nearly her full first year of life in and out of the hospital. Cheyenne said that without the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa, her aunt and uncle would not have been able to be near her cousin during that time. Her favorite thing about her steer, Fish, is that he blows bubbles and splashes water whenever he drinks. Currently in her second year at Indian Hills Community College, Cheyenne has been showing cattle for eleven years and is the daughter of Curt and Stephanie Houk. To donate on her behalf, visit donorbox.org/governor-s-charity-steer-show-2026 and select Steer No. 25.
The remaining 21 exhibitors competing in this year’s show are Kayle Englin of Orange City, Gracen Plagge of Denison, Kennedy Jarr of Cedar Rapids, Kennedy Linkenmeyer of Riceville, Tucker Schneider of Lacona, Keatyn Krauskopf of Ridgeway, Marissa Muff of Ventura, Owen Kahl of Tipton, Jordan Dittmer of Garden Grove, Jase Plendl of Kingsley, Cordell Hoeft of Plymouth, Halle Wade of Oxford, Abby Peterson of Webster City, Caden Hopkins of Halbur, Madeline Olson of Vinton, Garett Cash of Garner, Kyndall Burns of Oxford, Justin Johnson of Andover, Hayes Cordray of Humboldt, Levi Pruess of Clarence, and Aubree Stewart of Rippey.
