Bonanza or bust! Cal Poly’s 28th Wild, Wild Western Bonanza Junior Livestock Show has come and gone. The management team is pleased with the outcome of the show, and we hope you are too! As we are wrapping up Bonanza class we are thankful for our amazing sponsors, our wonderful exhibitors, and of course, our hard working students. Western Bonanza had one of its best years in 2011, where we "Hit the Jackpot"! What began as a senior project in 1985, primarily as a beef show, has evolved into a five-ring show that is “The Best in the West”. Cal Poly’s Western Bonanza is one of the most competitive jackpot shows in the Western United States. A grand total of 108 students helped run last year’s show. The show management team is comprised of 6 student managers, 23 student committee chairs, over 80 student committee members, and 3 advisors. We are happy to have Mrs. Megan Silcott as our new advisor this year! Megan, a Western Bonanza Management Team alumni, is very excited to be a part of the show once again!

Western Bonanza attracted 492 exhibitors and totaled 1,911 head of steers, heifers, lambs, hogs and meat goats entered in the A and B shows combined.

Western Bonanza added the Market Heifer Division to the show last year and changed the Meat Goat Show to a two-day show which helped to increase the goat numbers and the show quality. We had 65 barrows in the Barrow Derby and had large heifer numbers in our Bred and Owned Show, as well.

2012 was the thrid year each show ring was equipped with a camera so the show could be viewed “live” across the country. We have viewers from Florida and Hawaii, too!

We appreciate the continued support of our donors that are truly the reason Western Bonanza is called  "The Best in the West”.

Overall, Cal Poly’s Western Bonanza 2012 was a great success thanks to the outstanding students, supporters and exhibitors involved. To keep up to date with Western Bonanza "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @westernbonanza! You can also keep up to date with the latest stories on our blog: www.westernbonanza.blogspot.com.   We hope to see you next year!