Show and Sales Etiquette By Tina Russell
BEFORE
THE JUDGE
Are you and your cattle ready for the show?
Your judge has been invited to attend by the show society and/ or the breed society, because their experience and opinion is valued and respected. When you enter the ring with your animal you are accepting that the judge’s decision is final. Never challenge your judge in the ring. You will only make a spectacle of yourself and embarrass everyone watching.
Once you receive your entry form from the show society, there are a few points to consider: 1. Make a note of the closing date. 2. In a Beef Shorthorn breed class, animals in the grading register will not be eligible. 3. Help your cattle prepare for the occasion, with plenty of training on the halter and encountering new experiences including nose snips. 4. Wash and trim your cattle, so they look their best. 5. Try your show halters on your cattle at home to ensure they fit, and cattle get used to chain under chin, if appropriate. 6. Have you ordered your Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society tie? 7. Use your show stick on your cattle at home before the show to achieve best results. Remember you are both in the ring together representing your herd, so make the effort to ensure that you too are looking your best for the task. Clean shirt and society tie done up smartly, white coat, smart trousers and appropriate clean foot wear, not trainers and only wellies if the weather is exceedingly wet. Try to avoid wearing sunglasses in the ring, whether competing or judging, as it helps to make eye contact with everyone in the ring. It is inappropriate to have your herd’s name or logo on any hats or white coats, this ensures a level playing field. It is important that you are familiar with the timetable for the day, and that you are not late for the start of the class. Someone will have a schedule of classes, if not the steward, then other competitors. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, we are a friendly bunch. It is poor showmanship if you keep the judge, stewards and other competitors waiting unnecessarily. Having said this, don’t panic, remain calm. The detail is in the preparation before you go into the ring that will ensure a smooth-running day. All show societies will have had to undertake a risk assessment for the show, and as part of this nose snips or bull rings in cattle should be used. So, make sure that you have pre-trained your animal to them before you arrive at the showground. The showring is your opportunity to display your cattle to other breeders and spectators around the ring and recognise the best animals. To help achieve this you need to work with your judge, steward and other competitors.
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Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society Journal 2022
You will have an opportunity to discuss their reasons when they walk down the lines after judging and at this point you may learn something new! Every day is a school day! Once the prizes have been awarded, judges may be asked to give their reasons over the loud speaker. Parading the cattle for all to see whilst the judge is commenting on them is wonderful sight and everyone can appreciate the judge’s point of view.
