“ It started out when my mom got me interested in steers when I was 6 ,” Jacalynn said .
Her parents , Jackie and Stephanie Tidwell-Aldridge , bought their small daughter her first show steer in 2010 .
“ We wanted Jacalynn to develop a work ethic ,” her mother said . “ We wanted her to be the kind of person who isn ’ t afraid of hard work , someone who is goal-oriented .”
Jacalynn ’ s father , Jackie Aldridge , is the founder and CEO of Texas Tire . He spent much of his youth building his small , single tire store into a regional chain with multiple locations and tens of thousands of devoted customers , with the highly successful business being based in Weatherford . Her mother , Stephanie Tidwell-
Aldridge , is the daughter of a racehorse trainer . She grew up helping to take care of her father ’ s horses . While she was still a small child , she would feed and exercise the horses , groom them , take care of their tack , and muck out their stalls . She ’ s an accomplished photographer , she works in the family business , is active with a number of charities , oversees the care for their farm and livestock and manages her daughter ’ s Ag career .
Jacalynn inherited her mother ’ s graceful walk , her delicate bone structure , kind heart , love of animals and golden curls . From her father , she inherited her glorious turquoise eyes , sharp wit and sense of humor . Her work ethic came from both her parents .
Jacalynn isn ’ t as big as a minute , as the old Texas cliché goes . How she manages to control an 1,100- pound steer is something of a mystery , but the 14-year-old is living up to her family ’ s motto of “ Go big or go home .”
Jacalynn became involved with Spring Creek 4-H at age 6 , and was showing steers at age 7 . While working to gain experience in the care and showing of steers , Jacalynn gained something else — the respect of the community , including some high-profile , seasoned veterans of the cattle industry .
“ Jacalynn is one the best ,” said Jim Martin , a cattle aficionado renowned for helping scores of aspiring FFA and 4-H youngsters get their start and hone their agricultural and livestock skills . “ Her mamma and daddy wanted her to become
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