Steer lassos in $60,000 at Rodeo Austin Youth Auction

AUSTIN, Texas - Rodeo Austin took over downtown Friday. The best of the animal breeds were on display at the Texas State History Museum and they went for a lot of cash.

It's auction day for Rodeo Austin. The young owners of prize winning animals will take the stage at the Bob Bullock History Museum and walk away with thousands.

17-year-old Colton Shackelford of Collinsville is next.

"It's a little nerve-wracking," said Colton.

Colton's steer won grand champion. All of his hard work paid off in the form of $60,000. Maund Companies bought the steer. Colton says he will use that money to pay for tuition at Texas Tech.

Sierra Martin of Mason was also pleased with the $12,000 her grand champion lamb brought in.

"I was pretty impressed, pretty happy, pretty excited, it's going to pay for college," she said.

Sierra has been showing animals as long as she can remember.

"I used to think I had a very deprived life. I didn't have a whole lot of social life," said Sierra. "It's a lot of fun it takes a lot of work and it's taught me a lot."

Car dealership owner Benny Boyd bought Sierra's lamb. He too showed animals at Rodeo Austin and enjoys giving back.

"We just want to reward them for all their hard work. They work really hard. Some of them wake up at 5 a.m. to take care of these animals," said Boyd.

It's not just about the animals, artwork is also for sale. Last year $49,000 was raised for the high school kids who created the pieces.

In total, the auction awarded youth $1.25 million dollars in 2014. Rodeo Austin President Hap Feuerbacher hopes to break that record.

"The money's a big part of it, but it's just the work ethic and the life skills that these kids learn," he said.

Colton and Sierra will take those skills and their hard-earned money to college and try to make our state a better place.

This is the last weekend for the rodeo. All the fun ends Saturday night.