Families were the heart of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Junior Market Lamb and Goat Auction Friday, March 10.
Hayden Come, a 16-year-old Grandview FFA member, sold his Grand Champion Junior Market Lamb to Mindy and Jeff Hildebrand in Honor of Ruth and Tommy Hildebrand for $300,000, setting a new world record. Jeff Hildebrand said their family has a long lineage of involvement in the Rodeo.
“The end product is why we’re here,” Jeff Hildebrand said. “It’s these kids that are incredibly accomplished and embody everything that’s great about America, and the excellence of these kids is phenomenal.”
Trey Bates, a 17-year-old Real County 4-H member from Leakey, Texas, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Lamb. Tammy, Peyton, and Mitchell Barrier; Michelle Iverson Jeffrey; KCEF Foundation; and Pamela M. Logston, CPA, purchased the Reserve Grand Champion for $120,000.
“It’s really all about the kids,” Jeffrey said. “It’s not charity. It’s a reward for some very hard work and dedication, and [it’s] investing in our future.”
Dakota Martin, a 12-year-old Mason County 4-H member, sold her Grand Champion Junior Market Goat to buyers Mary and Ken Hucherson, Melton Electric, Stewart Morris Sr., and Pam and Archie Thompson for $182,000, a new world record. Ken Hucherson said whether he purchases a champion or later in the auction, it is to support the future.
“I think it’s fantastic when kids are given something productive and pointed in the right direction,” Ken Hucherson said. “They find they can achieve whatever they set out to achieve.”
Buyers Lauren and Chris Lewis, Anne and Chris Richardson, April and Scott Townsend, and Wesley Ward and Reagan Foundation bought the Reserve Grand Champion Junior Market Goat, shown by 10-year-old Jim Ned FFA member Cydnee Hanslik, for $100,000. Chris Richardson said it is great to see new young buyers give back with us.
“Every year the kids are great,” Chris Richardson said. “I love seeing how much goes to the exhibitors, and the amount contributed to the scholarship fund.”
Learn more about how the Junior Market Auctions work at rodeohouston.com/Visit-the-Rodeo/Livestock-Horse-Show/Auctions-Sales.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $450 million to the youth of Texas. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest news. The 2018 Rodeo continues through March 18.