2026 Big Tex Clay Shoot Classic Breaks All-Time Fundraising Record
State Fair of Texas Supporters Raise More Than $458,000 for Texas Students
The Annual Big Tex® Clay Shoot Classic event raised a record shattering $458,000, with all event donations going to Texas youth participating in the State Fair’s Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs.
The Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs support graduating high school seniors across the Lone Star State who have participated in competitive youth livestock events held at the State Fair, graduating seniors from six Dallas ISD high schools in the Fair Park area, and longtime seasonal employees of the State Fair of Texas or their dependents. Scholarship recipients attend Texas colleges, universities, or accredited trade schools.
The event was held on Friday, April 24, at the Dallas Gun Club in Lewisville, Texas. Approximately 545 participants registered to compete at the event. The annual Big Tex Clay Shoot Classic offered a morning flight and an afternoon flight, allowing more participants and teams to take part in the competition. First-place and second-place teams from each flight on the orange, blue, and green courses were recognized.
The State Fair of Texas extends its sincere appreciation to 2026 Big Tex Clay Shoot Classic Chairs David Osborne, John Riggins, and Chris Wright, and In-Kind Chairs Steve McClure and Clayton Acker for their leadership, as well as the dedicated volunteers of the Big Tex Clay Shoot Classic Committee for their hard work and commitment in making this year’s record-breaking event possible.
Earning first-place honors for the MORNING FLIGHT:
Orange Course: Northgate Construction: Zach West, David Blakenship, Russel Thorsheim, Aaron Smith, and Weston Smith.
Blue Course: Hargrove Electric: Casey Adams, Brody Robertson, Marco Trevino, Kane Morgan, and Cody Bauer.
Green Course: Sweeny Lumber: Darian Mock, Matt Mentesana, Russ Trent, Jeff Atkinson, and Byron Hasty.
Earning first-place honors for the AFTERNOON FLIGHT:
Orange Course: Larry Sauls and Friends: Larry Sauls, Joe Molock, Rhett Newton, Wade Kines, and Tommy Nations.
Blue Course: Primera: Pete Richardson, Mike Rogers, Jerry Fulwiler, John Fairbanks, and Tom McEnroe.
Green Course Winners: Precision Demolition: Cade McHenry, Zach West, Russell Thorsheim, Weston Smith, and David Weber.
The top individual MORNING FLIGHT participants: Kyle Marsh with Wright Construction, Dylan Dickerson with Hargrove Electric, and Jeff Atkinson with Sweeny Lumber. Each winner received a custom State Fair of Texas belt buckle created by Gist.
The top individual AFTERNOON FLIGHT participants: Matt Newman with The ProHunters, Zach West with Precision Demolition, and John Fairbanks with Primera. Each winner received a custom State Fair of Texas belt buckle created by Gist.
A special thanks to the following organizations and individuals:
2026 Presenting Sponsor: United Mechanical
2026 Benefactors: Brian Walter, Floyd Circle, Ryan Ross, Dennis Reese, Beco Metal Works, and Tom Raggio
Shooter Award Sponsors: Winston Water Cooler and HVAC Rentals
Shooter Hat Sponsor: Waterview Marinas
Shooter Shirt Sponsor: Madden Electric
Helice Game Sponsor: Higgins Branchini Shooting Foundation
Pavilion Sponsor: Layne Glass
Breakfast Sponsor: Arrow Insulation Co, Inc.
Lunch Sponsor: Southwest Construction Services
Golf Cart Hospitality Cart Sponsor: Tubbesing
Golf Cart Sponsor: Sunbelt Specialty Contractors
Live Auction Sponsor: Hill & Wilkinson General Contractors
Raffle Sponsor: Venture Mechanical
Social Hour Sponsor: NTD Mechanical
Day Sponsor: Haro Roofing
Volunteer Sponsor: National Wholesale Supply
Scholarship Sponsor: Covey
Fair Food Sponsor: Trigild
Course Sponsors:
Blue Course: Morley-Moss, Texas First Rentals, Watson & Cochran, Hargrove Electric, Texas Building Controls
Orange Course: Larry Sauls & Friends, Talley-Riggins Construction, Mechanical Partners, Encore Wire, Raider Express
Green Course: D. Harold Byrd III, Murray Ward Contracting, Intex Electrical Contractors, Holleman Construction, Origin Bank
More than 50 valued volunteers.
Clay Shoot station sponsors included: Aon Risk Services, Renaissance Life & Health, Marsh McLennan Agency, Wright Construction Company, Allstate – Charles Meade, Riveron, Kevco Electrical, GMI, Lasco Acoustics and Drywall, Exposed Design Group, Ag Trust, Katten Muchen Roseman LLP, Novel Builders, Northgate Construction, Sterling Roof Systems, HP Envirovision, Messett Financial, Riggins-Mooreland Construction, Independent Waste, Wellfleet – a Berkshire Hathaway Company, Amber Electrical Contractors, Everline Roofing, SteelFab, Prime Source Building Products, Rudick Construction Group, Dalrock Plumbing, Housley, Hargrove Electric, Eastern Plumbing Supply, Lockton Companies, Cumming Gallagher, Beard Integrated Systems Inc., and Antler Creek Ranch.
Teams participating in the Clay Shoot: Precision Demolition, Gordan Highlander, The ProHunters, RPMx Construction, David Byrd, Byrd Investments, Master Construction, Rockport, Primera, PACE GFX, Silver Fox Resources, Sweeny Lumber, Smashing Pigeons, Andy Bryant, Carolyn McKee, JMEG, Scheels, Taylor Farms Texas, John de la Garza, Antler Creek Ranch, Action Gypsum Supply, United Mechanical, Ben E. Keith, Will McClure, Joey Nuchereno, Jeff Gatlin, Northwest Insurance Agency, Sewell Buick GMC of Dallas, Housley Group, Kaleb Kyser, 5555 North Beach, 9151 Blvd, Texas Air Systems, CBS, Texas Farm Credit, Madden Electric, Brian Walter, and Royce West.
Our generous, in-kind event donors included: Aspen Site Rentals, Ben E. Keith, PACE GFX, Fletcher’s Corny Dogs, Dr. Pepper, Sandone, Emergency Ice, and Grapevine Golf Cars.
Our live auction and raffle donors included: David Osborne, Steve McClure, Pete Richardson, Frank Deel, Mark Rose – TT Ranch Group, John Riggins, Taylor Farms Texas, Lydia Laske, Brian Chester, and Springfield Armory.
For more information on the Big Tex Clay Shoot Classic, please visit BigTex.com/ClayShoot.