The Junior Market Lamb and Goat champions at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo were selected Thursday at NRG Center, with Reagan Miller named Grand Champion Market Lamb exhibitor and Paizlee Akins named Grand Champion Market Goat exhibitor.
Raider McPhaul earned the Reserve Grand Champion title in the Junior Market Lamb Show. Raider is the son of Chase McPhaul, a Reagan County 4-H agent who died in an accident two weeks before the champion selection. Chase McPhaul was widely known in the livestock community for offering guidance and support to young exhibitors.
When Raider was announced as reserve champion, the crowd — many dressed in red and black in honor of his father — responded with cheers and tears of support.
Junior Market Lamb Grand Champion Exhibitor Reagan Miller claimed the Grand Champion Market Lamb title. The 13-year-old said the win marked her family’s first championship at a major livestock show.
“This win took hard work and dedication every day,” Miller said. “On the weekends, we’re in the barn all the time, and on weekdays we’re out there working with them — tracking, exercising and feeding them.”
Junior Market Goat Grand Champion Exhibitor Paizlee Akins, a 16-year-old from Grayson County 4-H, earned the Grand Champion title in the Junior Market Goat Show.
Still processing the moment shortly after the announcement, Akins said simply, “I feel surprised.”
Moments later, Akins embraced her family as tears rolled down her face in celebration of the accomplishment.
Miles Gibbs of Del Rio, Texas, judged the Junior Market Lamb Show. Gibbs graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in animal science and grew up exhibiting lambs across Texas. During his youth show career, he raised a Grand or Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb at every major Texas livestock show, including three consecutive Grand Champion titles at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Brent Jennings of Raleigh, North Carolina, judged the Junior Market Goat Show on Thursday. Jennings serves as an extension associate at North Carolina State University, where he oversees statewide youth livestock programs and works with young exhibitors across North Carolina.
The champions will head to the NRG Arena Friday at 11 a.m. for the Lamb and Goat Auction.
2026 Junior Market Lamb and Goat Champion Drive Results
Market Lamb
- Grand — Reagan Miller, Denver City FFA
- Reserve — Raider McPhaul, Reagan County 4-H
Market Goat
- Grand — Paizlee Akins, Grayson County 4-H
- Reserve — Briggs Bowers, Gillespie County 4-H