Last year, elementary school students Clayton Kneese, Lincoln Crenwelge, Crockett Eckhardt and Stanton Cantwell approached the Gillespie County Youth Livestock Association board about honoring their late friend, Creed Beyer.

Beyer, 10-year-old son of Cody and Madonna Beyer, died May 19, 2024, due to injuries sustained in an ATV accident.

“These four individuals came to one of our stock show board meetings, stood in front of the entire board and asked us to kindly consider selecting their best friend as the dedication for this stock show,” Chip Bowers, GCYLSA president, said.

Because of the work of his friends, the 2025 show was dedicated to Creed. The Beyer family also worked with the board to present the first annual Creed Beyer Award.

“The Creed Beyer award is presented to a 4-H or FFA exhibitor who demonstrates all of the qualities that were so important to, and practiced by, Creed at school, at home, at church, and of course, at stock shows,” Bowers said. “He was always willing to educate others about agriculture, he jumped in to help others whenever needed, and he always showed kindness to everyone.”

With these attributes in mind, the Beyer family selected Clayton Kneese as the winner. Mrs. Beyer said it was difficult to select a winner from the stock show community.

“We grow up some good kids, so it was very hard to make this decision,” she said. “I think they’re all winners, whether you’ve got last place or first place, they’re great kids.”

Mrs. Beyer also used the opportunity to thank the local stock show community for the support and comfort they have provided through a difficult loss.

“I want to thank everybody in the community that has support us, and loved us, and loved [Creed],” she said.