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 Iversen Jeffery; KCEF Foundation; and Pamela M. Logsdon, CPA, purchased the Reserve Grand Champion for $120,000.
“It’s really all about the kids,” Jeffery 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.
LAMBS
GRAND CHAMPION
- Exhibitor: Hayden Come, 16
- Hometown: Cleburne, Texas
- Club/Chapter: Grandview FFA
- Price: $300,000 (world record)
- Buyers: Mindy and Jeff Hildebrand, in honor of Ruth and Tommy Hildebrand
RESERVE CHAMPION
- Exhibitor: Trey Bates, 17
- Hometown: Leakey, Texas
- Club/Chapter: Real County 4H
- Price: $120,000
- Buyers: Tammy, Peyton and Mitchell Barrier; Michelle Iversen Jeffery; KCEF Foundation; and Pamela M. Logsdon CPA
GOATS
GRAND CHAMPION
- Exhibitor: Dakota Martin, 12
- Hometown: Mason, Texas
- Club/Chapter: Mason County 4H
- Price: $182,000 (world record)
- Buyers: Mary and Ken Hucherson, Melton Electric, Stewart Morris Sr., and Pam and Archie Thompson
RESERVE CHAMPION
- Exhibitor: Cydnee Hanslik, 10
- Hometown: Ovalo, Texas
- Club/Chapter: Jim Ned FFA
- Price: $100,000
- Buyers: Lauren and Chris Lewis, Anne and Chris Richardson, April and Scott Townsend, and Wesley Ward and Reagan Foundation