Dreams Come True at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Junior Market Lamb and Goat Champion Selection
Exhibitors from across Texas worked hard and overcame obstacles to succeed at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Junior Market Lamb and Goat Champion Selection Thursday, March 7.
Junior Market Lambs
Eastland FFA member, Jaylin Smith, 17, exhibited the Grand Champion Junior Market Lamb. For Jaylin, this was a big milestone because two years ago she was unsure if she would walk again after an ATV accident.
“I’ve had nine surgeries,” Jaylin said. “So it’s pretty great to be able to show my senior year without any limp, crutches or braces.”
Madellyne Adams, 16, exhibited the Reserve Champion Junior Market Lamb. The Brown County 4-H member is fairly new to showing lambs and is excited to have been so successful.
“It is a really hard feeling to describe,” Madellyne said. “I just feel super blessed and super honored to even get the opportunity to be here.”
Junior Market Goats
Turner Matkin, 13, exhibited the Grand Champion Junior Market Goat. Turner, a Kendall County 4-H member, said he is excited about this win and getting here wasn’t easy.
“I worked super hard,” Matkin said. “It took getting out after school every day and staying late, but the hard work paid off in the end.”
Williamson County 4-H member Cody Sells, 16, exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Junior Market Goat. He is no stranger to showing, having shown for three years at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
This means a lot,” Sells said. “We have tried every year since 2016, and I finally accomplished this.”
Exhibitors will sell their lambs and goats at the Junior Market Lamb and Goat Auction, Friday, March 8, at noon. The auction is open to the public and will be held in the NRG Arena Sales Pavilion.