The 2026 Hill County Fair came to an end Saturday, January 17 with the annual Livestock Sale of Champions, which supports youth who work hard all year to prepare for the county fair.
Chase Miller of Abbott FFA had the grand champion market steer, which sold for $16,000 to the Hill County Fair Syndicate. Jaycob Brockette of Abbott FFA sold the reserve champion market steer to Bobcat Contracting for $12,000.
The Hill County Fair Syndicate was formed with over 100 members before last year’s fair to help champion and reserve winners sell at champion levels.
In the past, there were times a reserve champion sold at a lower price, which locked in the cap for the rest of the exhibitors.
The goal of the syndicate is to get those prices higher and allow other buyers to spend their money on animals further down the sale list. In the event that the syndicate is outbid, that money will be divided equally through add-ons to all sale qualifiers.
Others showing grand and reserve champions, and their buyers, included:
Jessalyn Lowery of Hillsboro 4-H sold the grand champion market swine to the Hill County Fair Syndicate for $11,000. Gabbie Salazar of Abbott FFA sold the reserve champion market swine to Hill County Fair Syndicate.
Calan Pruitt of Abbott FFA sold the grand champion market lamb to Hill County Fair Syndicate for $9,000. Caden Pruitt of Abbott FFA sold the reserve champion market lamb for $6,500 to Brent Cromwell – Hill County Farm Bureau, Micro Title and Hill County Farm Bureau.
Hadley Holt of Hill County Christian Academy 4-H sold the grand champion market goat to the Hill County Fair Syndicate for $9,000. Brazos Blue of Hill County Christian Academy 4-H sold the reserve champion market goat to Hill County Fair Syndicate for $6,000.
Dub Nors of Abbott FFA sold the grand champion broilers to the Hill County Fair Syndicate for $4,000. Julie Coker of Abbott FFA sold the reserve champion broiler pen to Hill County Fair Syndicate for $2,500.
Addysen Girsh of Whitney FFA sold the grand champion market rabbits to the Hill County Fair Syndicate for $4,000. Alice Reneau of Abbott FFA sold the reserve champion market rabbits to Bowman Environmental for $3,500.
Champions of the commercial steer show, which preceded the fair in Hubbard, were Eric Dudik, with a pen of three grand champion commercial steers, which sold to Hubbard Livestock Association for $4,500. Kade Buzbee of Aquilla 4-H had the reserve champion commercial steers, which sold to the Hope Koonsman Foundation for $4,000.
The Lakelander 