The Indiana Beef Cattle Association (IBCA) is proud to announce that its 2nd Annual Ringside for Riley adult showmanship fundraiser raised more than $20,000 for Riley Hospital for Children.
Held on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 during the 2025 Hoosier Beef Congress, the event united the Indiana beef cattle community for an unforgettable afternoon of competition, generosity, and purpose.
The fundraiser featured an adult showmanship competition, where participants put their skills on display in the show ring while supporting Riley Hospital for Children, a leader in pediatric healthcare serving families across Indiana. More than 60 participants competed in two categoriesāTop Overall Showman and Most Entertaining Showmanābringing energy, enthusiasm, and friendly rivalry to the ring.
Throughout the afternoon, excitement and hope filled the arena as stories were shared from families whose lives have been touched by Riley Hospital. Now in its second year, the Ringside for Riley fundraiser has raised more than $32,000 in total to support life-saving care for children.
The inspiration behind Ringside for Riley comes from 12-year-old Cadley Boocher from Alexandria Indiana, whose passion for showing cattle and desire to give back sparked the event. Born with a rare, one-in-a-million heart defect, Cadley has undergone multiple surgeries and hospital stays at Riley. āWithout the doctors at Riley, I wouldnāt be here today,ā Cadley said. āI love showing cattle, and I want to give back to the hospital that helps kids like me get betterāso they have the chance to do the things they love, too.ā
Each year, the event is judged by a Riley Kid who is involved in the cattle industry. This yearās judge is Andon Zehring, son of Brian and Janel Zehring, from Leesburg, Indiana. Andon was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor at just seven months old. He was rushed by ambulance to Riley Hospital for Children, where, only four days after admission, he underwent an extraordinary 18-hour brain surgery to remove the tumor. Following surgery, Andon faced multiple rounds of chemotherapy, brain radiation, and a stem cell transplant, along with numerous surgeries and intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapies over several years. Thanks to the exceptional care and life-saving expertise at Riley Hospital for Children, Andon is now 19 years old and has been cancer-free for eight years.
Brian Shuter, Executive Vice-President of the IBCA, echoed Boocherās sentiment: āWe have been blown away by our industryās support for the Ringside for Riley program and never dreamed that we would have surpassed $30,000 raised in the first two years. When Cadley came to us with this idea, we knew it was important, but we continue to hear new stories about families from across the state that we work with that have been touched by Riley and it feels great to be able to bring Cadleyās dream to life, and continue supporting the life changing work of Riley Hospital for Children.ā
The Hoosier Beef Congress is one of the largest and most prestigious cattle events in the Midwest, bringing together thousands of participants and spectators each year. Riley Hospital for Children is Indianaās largest and most skilled pediatric system, with over 50 locations across the state and the only one ranked among the top hospitals in the nation according to US News & World Report. Patients make more than 300,000 visits annually to Riley physicians in more than 50 locations in communities across Indiana. Riley cares for children from nearly all Indiana counties and surrounding states.
Through the continued support of the beef cattle community, Ringside for Riley is making a lasting impactāone show, one story, and one child at a time.
For more information on the Indiana Beef Cattle Association and upcoming events, please visit www.IndianaBeef.org.
Source: Indiana Beef Cattle Association
