Donors gathered to help Texas youth further their education at the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Junior Market Lamb & Goat Auction Friday.
Madden Wise of Brownwood, Texas, sold his Grand Champion Lamb for $450,000. The Hildebrand family, in honor of Ruth Ann and Dr. Tommy Hildebrand, had the winning bid.
“My family has been involved with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for 50 plus years,” Jefferey Hildebrand said. “My mother and dad were on the lamb committee, and so it is a deep tradition of the family to be involved. There is no better group of young men and women who are deserving of scholarships.”
Brisco Black of Zephyr, Texas, sold his Grand Champion Goat for $400,000, breaking the Rodeo record. Fire Safe Protection Services, LP – Lizzy & Stephen McKinney; Skip Avara; Tea & Bill Pinkley; and Anne & Chris Richardson had the winning bid.
“This is my way of giving back,” Chris Richardson said. “I got a football scholarship and would not have been able to make it to college if I had not gotten that scholarship.”
Graham Newsom of Olton, Texas, set a Rodeo record with the sale of his Reserve Grand Champion Lamb for $300,000. The donors for the Reserve Grand Champion are Tammy & Mitchell Barrier; Amy & Mark Melton; Mary Lee & Alan Stigall; and April & Scott Townsend– in memory of Mary Hucherson, a longtime L&G Auction contributor.
“There’s no greater place to be able to invest your money into the future of America,” Scott Townsend said. “It’s nice to come back later on and see where these kids have grown up with their scholarships.”
Stran Mayes of Ft. Worth, Texas, sold his Reserve Grand Champion Market Goat for $200,000 to Melissa & Jimmy Guinn II; Jill Herrera & Chris Boening; Tonya Yurgensen-Jacks & Kevin Jacks; and the Kym Coleman Education Foundation (KCEF) – Cookie Michael.
“I love supporting children,” Michael said. “Every child needs an education; I think you should be able to go to college.”
More about the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
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 $630 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2025 Rodeo is scheduled for March 4 – March 23. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com, download the RODEOHOUSTON app and follow @RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.