Adjustments made to the 2025 Gillespie County Youth Livestock Show paid off, according to second-year president Chip Bowers.
“I feel the entire event went well,” Bowers said. “Most especially [because] we started two hours earlier this year … I had several exhibitor families give positive feedback about that day.”
Exhibitors from the various Gillespie County 4-H clubs, the Fredericksburg FFA, Fredericksburg Junior FFA and the Harper FFA numbered 344.
In total, 764 animal projects and 11 agricultural mechanical projects were shown.
According to the GCYLS secretary-treasurer Heather Falting, the preliminary sales numbers were $1,361,815.
Bowers said the success of this year’s show wouldn’t have been possible without community support.
“I would like to thank everyone in our community that helps us put this show on,” Bowers said. “It truly takes a village to get it all done and I was happy to help serve alongside all of them.”
Awards and honors
In addition to money raised through the sale, several individual awards and honors were presented.
This year’s Top Hand Award, in memory of the late Calvin Ransleben, went to Addison Hahn. Kristy Danz, Ransleben’s daughter, presented the award to Hahn prior to the sale on Saturday, Jan. 4.
“She has an appreciation for both the livestock and agriculture industries, and has poured her heart and soul into 4-H and FFA,” Danz said. “This year’s winner brings energy and enthusiasm into everything she does and constantly puts others before herself.”
A new award was also given in honor of the late Creed Beyer, who died in May 2024.
“It was a bittersweet moment to dedicate this year’s show in memory of Creed Beyer,” Bowers said. “He was a very special person and meant a lot to our county stock show family and will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
Read more about the award and show dedication in the community section, page D1.
Top finishers
Grand champion animals were selected across several divisions, including the following: • Grand Champion Steer — Jorie Jenschke;
• Grand Champion Heifer — Pecos Worrell;
• Grand Champion Market Lamb — Jacquelyn Reeh;
• Grand Champion Meat Goat — Briggs Bowers;
• Grand Champion Breeding Sheep — Ryker Padgett;
• Grand Champion Market Swine — Reese Sagebiel;
• Grand Champion Angora Goat — Jace Raab;
• Grand Champion Turkey — Jake Stehling;
• Grand Champion Pen of Broilers — Keegan Lochte;
• Grand Champion gricultural Mechanics Project — Landon Beyer.
Up Next
With GCYLS 2025 in the books, exhibitors still have a full stock show schedule to look forward to, including the Hill District Grandstand Show, beginning this weekend, Friday, Jan. 10 and running through Saturday, Jan. 18.
The Grandstand Sale will be Saturday, Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds.
After this, exhibitors will show in the following:
• Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo — Jan. 17-Feb. 8;
• San Angelo Livestock Show — Feb. 1-16;
• San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo — Feb. 6-23;
• Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo — March 4-23;
• Rodeo Austin — March 14-29.
