Kendall County Youth Ag & Equestrian Center

REAL COWBOYS! REAL FUN!

Location: 648 FM 289 Comfort, Texas 78013

The Family Ranch Rodeo Fest at the Kendall County Youth Ag & Equestrian Center (YAEC) on Saturday, October 7 will give folks a glimpse into the real day-to-day life of ranch cowboys and cowgirls as well as their outstanding character.

Differing from a professional rodeo, the ranch rodeo features tasks that ranch hands regularly encounter such as rounding up cattle for doctoring and loading for transport. Ten teams—many from Kendall County—will compete for prize money, buckles and other awards.

To reflect the very real makeup of many ranching families, the rules call for at least one of the four team members to be a female or a youth under the age of 17. The Family Ranch Rodeo Fest promises an afternoon and evening of fun for the entire family featuring, mutton busting, goat roping, kids’ activities, an online auction, live music, food and refreshment.

Proceeds from the event support the 501(c) (3) not-for-profit, all-volunteer supported Kendall County Youth Agriculture & Equestrian Center. It is home to more than 400 4-H, FFA and Jr. Livestock members who participate in agriculture and equestrian activities, competitions, and educational enterprises. Mission: To provide a sustainable livestock and equestrian facility for Kendall County 4-H, FFA, and Jr. Livestock youth, fund scholarships, and make available a multi-purpose venue for the Texas Hill Country community and beyond.

The Kendall County Jr. Livestock Association Auction this year brought $1.5 million to approximately 400 youth. The money the youth earn at the sale helps to fund their higher education goals.

Family Ranch Rodeo Fest embraces American values key to youth development. Perhaps now more than ever, Americans cherish our country’s unique freedoms, boundless opportunities, and core values. The values that Americans strive to teach their children--courage, optimism, self-reliance, authenticity, honor, duty, and compassion—are alive and well in the character of the ranching cowboy.