ITLA Longhorn Drover 2023

10 Reasons ShowingLivestock is “Worth It”

1. Friendships

The people we show livestock with and against become often become friends so close that many are considered family. Family that may live across the state or across the country but the distance is always forgotten as soon as it’s time for a show. The relationships and people we meet showing livestock is one of the best reasons why it’s “worth it.”

2. PassionsAreDiscovered

Manywho haultrailersof livestockhundredsof milesto show areconsideredpassionateaboutshowing. Whileshowing livestockisa greatpassion, manyotherpassionsandfuture careersarediscoveredthrough competing. Forsomeitmaybea realization thattheylovecattlebreeding, forothersa camera fromoutsidetheshowringcan becomea realizedtalentand somefinda loveformarketing, socialmedia oragricultural advocacywhen sharingtheirstoriesaboutthe#stockshowlife.

3. It’sa Tradition

Somefamilieshavetraditionslikeannualtrips, attending sportingevents, bakingrecipespasseddown fromprevious generationsorcamping. Otherfamiliesshowandraiselivestock. Andtherearefewthingsmorespecialthan seeinga lovefor animals, passion forthelandandappreciation forgreatstock passedon to anothergeneration.

10 Reasons ShowingLivestock is “Worth It”

4.

FamilyTime

Itmaynotseemlikeitnow, butthosehoursin thecartraveling to shows, thetimespenthangingoutin thestallsandworking animalstogetherturn into someof themostcherished memories. Andsiblingsmakeboth thebestteammatesand competition.

5.

LifeLessons

Itmaysoundclichebutitalwaysbearsrepeating. Thelessonsof both winningANDlosingin theringprepareshowmen forthe upsanddownsof life. Allchampionswereoncecompetitorsand goingfromthebottomof theclassto thetopisa journeythat teachesmorethan a libraryfullof booksevercould.

6.

Travel

Notmanyyoungpeoplecan saytheyhavevisitedthenumberof statesandplacesasthosewho haveshown livestock. Through travelingto showsandleadershipconferences, juniorlivestock showmen havetheopportunityto seeandexperiencethingsfar beyondthefarmgate.

7.

Mentors

Greatmentorscan bea makeorbreakreason whyyoungpeople aresuccessfulandthereisno shortageof greatleadersand mentorsto befoundatlivestockshows. Theopportunityto both bea mentorandfindoneisalmostalwayspresentarounda showring.

10 Reasons ShowingLivestock is “Worth It”

8.

Knowledgeof thefoodsystem

With lessthan 2%of ournation involvedin production agriculture, a trueunderstandingof wherefoodcomesfromand howit’sraisedisnowa privilegeratherthan an expectation. Peoplewho showandraiselivestockrealizetheresponsibility andhardworkthatgoesinto producingfood, a qualitythatis extremelyvaluableto ourindustrytoday.

9.

BusinessSkills

When Igraduatedhigh school, Iwasoneof thefewstudentsin myclasswho trulyunderstoodhowto balancea checkbook. Why?BecauseIhadonefromthetimeIwasin middleschoolto usethemoneyIearnedsellingmylivestock. Now, notmany youngshowmen areusingcheckbooks, buttheabilityto manage money, run businessesandkeeprecordsarestillvaluableskills thatmakeshowinglivestockworth itlaterin life.

10. FondMemories, GREAT Stories

When youraiseandshowlivestock, you’llneverhavea shortage of storiesto tellata dinnerparty. Storiesmayinclude, butare notlimitedto: thetimea steergotlooseatcountyfairandin an effortto restrain theanimal, a policeofficerdecidedto tazeit; thattimeyouthoughtitmightbefun to pickupa hitch hikeron thewayto a show; when yousawtheflinthillsof Kansasforthe firsttimeon yourwayto juniornationals; when youthoughttent campingmightbea goodidea fora regionalstockshowandit rainedtheentirefourdaysyouwerethere; andthedayyour familyfinallywon thatbigshow. Greatstories, bettermemories andamazingadventuresdefinitelymakethislifestyleworth it.

The Armadillo Classic Youth Results

Junior Champion Bull-

Alissa Butler THUNDER MOUNTAIN

Junior Reserve Champion Bull-

Waverly McCauley JSC COMMISSIONER KEN

Intermediate Champion Bull

Owen Cromwell STONEY LP

Intermediate Reserve Champion Bull-

Evelyn Sabio EJS MARCH'N UP

Grand Champion Bull-

Owen Cromwell STONEY LP

Reserve Grand Champion Bull-

Alissa Butler THUNDER MOUNTAIN

Junior Champion Steer-

Madisun Bennett RM PICADOR

Junior Reserve Champion Steer-

Kenley Huskey G&L INDIAN OUTLAW

Senior Champion Steer-

Grant Tinkis AJ SKIPPER

Grand Champion Steer-

Grant Tinkis AJ SKIPPER

Reserve Grand Champion Steer-

Madisun Bennett RM PICADOR

Junior Champion HeiferOwen Cromwell 2NR SUGAR SHOT

Junior Reserve Champion HeiferGrant Tinkis SPRING REVIVAL CP

Senior Champion Heifer-

Whitney McCauley SIZZLIN' ABBY

Senior Reserve Champion Heifer-

Evelyn Sabio EJS DRAGON DANCER

Junior Champion CowWhitney McCauley MISS DOLLY NOT PARTON

Junior Reserve Champion Cow-

Madison Schroeder KETTLE'S GINGER SNAP

Grand Champion FemaleWhitney McCauley MISS DOLLY NOT PARTON

Reserve Grand Champion FemaleMadison Schroeder KETTLE'S GINGER SNAP

Junior Champion Mini Bull-

Timothy Hatler MHF BABY GROOT

Junior Reserve Champion Mini Bull-

Grant Tinkis LL FUNYUN

Senior Champion Mini Bull

Pason Wylie SS SHAGGY JAMESON

Senior Reserve Champion Mini BullKane Britt LL MARLBORO MAN

Grand Champion Mini Bull-

Pason Wylie SS SHAGGY JAMESON

Reserve Grand Champion Mini Bull-

Timothy Hatler MHF BABY GROOT

Junior Champion Mini Steer-

Kali Davis LL TONY STARK

Junior Reserve Champion Mini SteerEve Hatler 2M JACK THE PUMPKIN KING

Senior Champion Mini Steer-

Chris Hatler LL CHILI DOG MC

Senior Reserve Champion Mini Steer-

Grant Tinkis LL CHARLIE FRAZIER

Grand Champion Mini SteerChris Hatler LL CHILI DOG MC

Reserve Grand Champion Mini SteerGrant Tinkis LL CHARLIE FRAZIER

Junior Champion Mini HeiferGrant Tinkis LL FIRECRACKER

Junior Reserve Champion Mini HeiferTimothy Hatler 2M LITTLE LUNA

Senior Champion Mini HeiferKane Britt LL LITTLE SISTER

Senior Reserve Champion Mini HeiferTimothy Hatler TONKAWA EAGLE

COCKLEBUR

Grand Champion Mini FemaleKane Britt LL LITTLE SISTER

Reserve Grand Champion Mini FemaleGrant Tinkis LL FIRECRACKER

The Armadillo Classic

The Armadillo Classic Open Results

Intermediate Champion Bull

Owen Cromwell STONEY LP

Intermediate Reserve Champion Bull-

Whitney McCauley JSC JOEL TEXAS WALKER

Senior Champion Bull-

Evelyn Sabio DUNN STEP'N UP

Intermediate Reserve Champion Bull-

Danielle Mershon ALL JACKED UP DSM

Grand Champion Bull-

Evelyn Sabio DUNN STEP'N UP

Reserve Grand Champion Bull-

Owen Cromwell STONEY LP

Junior Champion Steer-

Kyla Lovejoy AJ SKIPPER

Junior Reserve Champion Steer-

Angela Bivens WSR ALLIE'S COCOA PEARL

Grand Champion Steer-

Kyla Lovejoy AJ SKIPPER

Reserve Grand Champion Steer-

Angela Bivens WSR ALLIE'S COCOA PEARL

Junior Champion Heifer-

Kenley Huskey BNB SHE'S A LADY

Junior Reserve Champion Heifer-

Owen Cromwell SISTER MARY FRANCES

Senior Champion Heifer-

Owen Cromwell TL JSC BREE'S SWEETHEART

Senior Reserve Champion Heifer-

Madisun Bennett MISS ANNIEMARIE

Junior Champion Cow-

Madison Schroeder KETTLE'S GINGER SNAP

Junior Reserve Champion Cow-

Grant Tinkis TOMAHAWK TULIP C4

Senior Champion Cow-

Evelyn Sabio EJS CLEOPATRA

Senior Reserve Champion Cow-

Kyla Lovejoy OL TWISS

Grand Champion Female-

Evelyn Sabio EJS CLEOPATRA

Reserve Grand Champion Female-

Madison Schroeder KETTLE'S GINGER SNAP

Junior Champion Mini Bull-

Timothy Hatler MHF BABY GROOT

Junior Reserve Champion Mini Bull-

Kyla Lovejoy LL FUNYUN

Senior Champion Mini Bull

Pason Wylie SS SHAGGY JAMESON

Senior Reserve Champion Mini Bull-

Kyla Lovejoy LL MARLBORO MAN

Grand Champion Mini Bull-

Timothy Hatler MHF BABY GROOT

Reserve Grand Champion Mini Bull-

Pason Wylie SS SHAGGY JAMESON

Junior Champion Mini Steer-

Kyla Lovejoy LL TONY STARK

Junior Reserve Champion Mini Steer-

Eve Hatler 2M JACK THE PUMPKIN KING

Senior Champion Mini Steer-

Kyla Lovejoy LL CHARLIE FRAZIER

Senior Reserve Champion Mini Steer-

Chris Hatler LL CHILI DOG MC

Grand Champion Mini Steer-

Grant Tinkis LL CHARLIE FRAZIER

Reserve Grand Champion Mini SteerChris Hatler LL CHILI DOG MC

Junior Champion Mini HeiferKyla Lovejoy LL FIRECRACKER

Junior Reserve Champion Mini HeiferTimothy Hatler 2M LITTLE LUNA

Senior Champion Mini HeiferKyla Lovejoy LL LITTLE SISTER

Senior Reserve Champion Mini HeiferKyla Lovejoy LL WITCHY WOMAN

Mini Champion CowKyla Lovejoy LL BIG NOSE KATE

Reserve Mini Cow ChampionKyla Lovejoy 5T'S MESQUITE QUEEN

Grand Champion Mini FemaleKyla Lovejoy LL FIRECRACKER

Reserve Grand Champion Mini FemaleKyla Lovejoy LL LITTLE SISTER

The Armadillo Classic

The Armadillo Classic Non Halter Results

Junior Champion SteerKyla Lovejoy AJ SKIPPER

Junior Reserve Champion SteerMadisun Bennett RM PICADOR

Grand Champion SteerKyla Lovejoy AJ SKIPPER

Reserve Grand Champion SteerMadisun Bennett RM PICADOR

Junior Champion Heifer-

Danielle Mershon AUDREY HEPHORN DSM

Junior Reserve Champion HeiferKenley Huskey BNB SHE'S A LADY

Senior Champion HeiferDanielle Mershon CALYPSO DSM

Senior Reserve Champion Heifer-

Danielle Mershon FLOWER POWER DSM

Junior Champion Cow-

Danielle Mershon GLORIA VANDERHORN

Junior Reserve Champion Cow-

Braxten Sterling TH JSC STARLIGHT DREAMER

Senior Champion Cow-

Kyla Lovejoy OL TWISS

Senior Reserve Champion Cow-

Wes Evans PREMIER ROYAL RECKONING

Grand Champion Female-

Danielle Mershon GLORIA VANDERHORN

Reserve Grand Champion FemaleKyla Lovejoy OL TWISS

We want to say a HUGE Thank You to all of our volunteers, judges, and exhibitors for coming out and making this show great! We can't wait to do it next year!

Do YouReallyWanna Win?

By Colby Cummings for the One and only Ranch House Designs

Whatdidyoudo to win?

Fair question.. What did you sacrifice?

How many nights did you stay up late and turn out because of waiting on the heat to break and back up before daylight so they can get cool again?

How many days did you sacrifice your high school puppy love to rinse, exercise, and work hair?

How many pool days were given up?

How many nights out, meals missed, events cancelled because as Rip Wheeler says, “The ranch comes first.”

How many times did you give up because of your social calendar took precedence over the will to win?

Your checkbook doesn’t mean anything if the drive isn’t there… period. Instant gratification is all around now. One kid wins a showmanship at a backwoods jackpot and the next thing you know they are trying to schedule showmanship camps. Another kid blows a heifer out and the county intergalactic international cluster screw and wins and now he has a full on fitting service.

How?! Why?!

There are so many other phrases I want to use but Rachel edits this so I’ll save her some time.

I know you guys want the ads from Cade Childers, you guys want the backdrops from Legacy and Ranch House to build a website, I get it. We all want it, but I think we have forgotten the part where you got to pay your dues for this industry. Until you have gotten mad, want to sell out, scream, cuss, yell, have the cops show up because the neighbors think there is a hostage situation going on, you aren’t close. You truly gotta let this industry break your heart and partially your soul before dues are paid in full.

Do YouReallyWanna Win?

Somewill neverunderstandtheabovebecausetheylivein this fantasythat becauseof theircountyfairtourtheyexpectthesamerewardand expectation of thefamilywho has given everythingto win a juniornational or a bigopen showsomewhere.

Stop. Getin whereyoufitin.

Youcan achievethatsuccess, butyouhaveto worktowards itandit’s not overnight.

ItoldsomeoneonetimeIalmostfeel likeyougotta letpartof yourself dieto getto thenextlevel. There’s also someIfeel metthedevil atthecrossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi, butthat’s foranothertime. (Googleit, its interestingif youdon’tknowwhatI’m talkingabout).

Iseefamilies wantingto befriends with otherfamilies becauseof thecloutor thehype, andits kinda sad, in factdown rightpathetic. It’s onethingto surroundyourself with friends andfamilies who win becauseyousharethe samepath, vision, goals, andwantthosepeoplein yourlife, its anotherto be friends so youcan lookcool.

On thesametoken, if youhangoutwith peoplewho don’twin andsharethe samephilosophyof callingthosewho win-cheaters, political, etc.,…. Well I hateto sayitbutyoufolks arelosers, becauseyouhaveno idea thesacrifice someof thesefamilies havegiven andwhattheygaveupto achievethe success theydid, whileyourass was laidupon a beach oratthelakeall summer.

Youwanna win…showmethesacrifice, showmetheinfrastructureyoubuilt to makeyourself win, andIwouldventureto guess mostpeoplecan’tshow metheplan, orthepath theychoseto getthere. Theyjustboughtthecalf from a guybecausehesaidhecouldmakeyouwin even though hedoesn’t knowhowto win becauseapparentlyunderstandingbasicstructureof an animal is outthedooranymore.

Lookatitlikethis, buyinga calf is a lotlikea jobinterview. Makethem show youon paperwhattheyarecapableof. Idon’tcareabouthowmanyposts theymakeaboutgoingto shows orclippingorfitting..

Do YouReallyWanna Win?

Makethem showyouhowtheycan win foryou. Whatlevel andwhatthe expectation is forthem. It’s reallythatsimple.

On theflipsideif you’rethecompanyhiringblewsmokeuptheirass chances areyouaren’tgonna getthesameopportunities as thefamilywho works harderandjustflatoutgets it.

Youguys wanna makeit?Wanna win?Wantpeoplefrom all overthecountry to call youto comelookthrough theircalves becausetheyseetheprogress you’redoing?Here’s theadvice. Tableyourego.

Figureouthowto not bethesmartestperson in theroom andseewhatthat does.

Ihavesomeof thebestfriends on earth andsomeof thebestin this industry in a grouptextandIknowwithouta doubtI’m theloweston thetotem pole, butguess what?Thosefourguys havetaughtandshown meso much.

Bewillingto allowyourcustomers to workwith otherpeopleso theycan grow andmakethem moreaggressivein theirbreed. Ihadthatconvo earlierthis yearwith a customerof ours thatis in a breedI’m notfamiliarwith. Hook them upwith thefamilies thatwill helpthem succeedandstayhookedforthe ride. Watch them growandwatch youlearn andexpandyourknowledgein otherbreeds. Thenetworkexpands.

ThefactthatIknowIhaveso manyIcan lean on, askquestions andnotbe judgedforitis thebestfeelingon earth. Thoseareyourpeople. Thosearethe ones who wantto seeyoudo betterandtheytrulywantto seeyouwin. I promise.

Timeis a Thief

Isawa quotetheotherday“Timeis a thief.”

Thatis no lie.

Don’tliveyourlifetryingto makehappen foryouin 4years forwhattook others decades to achieve.

Yes, youdo onlyhavea certain timeframein yourjuniorcareerbutyoucan takeitfarther.

Do YouReallyWanna Win?

Youcan achievemorethan youeverdreamed, youjusthaveto allowyourself thespace, andtheabilityforyourself as well as yournetworkto grow.

Askanyonewho is successful in this business, “Didyouwantto quit?”“Did youwantto giveup?”

Theywill saytheyabsolutelydidbuttheycouldn’tandtheywouldn’t. Sidenote, getthekindof friends thatcan giveyoua peptalkass chewinganda you’redoingwhatyouneedto speech all in one. She’s oneof thebestatit. Ican tell youthecelebrations mean morewhen theworkandthesweatand thetears havebeen dumpedinto it.

Ican tell youhowawesomethepatentedNeal Thompson high fiveis afterthe champion slap.

When youtextyourfriends thatyouwon somethingandtheycall youin tears becausetheyarehappyforyou, that’s when youknowyougottheright people.

Jealousyis hardnotto havein this business. Ialso thinkcovetingis hardnot to do as well.

But, howmanytimes didyouputyourself in theirshoes?

Howmanyof youguys diditbecauseyouwantedthewin?

Ordidyouwantthewin ordidyouwantthenotoriety?

Again, didyoupayyourdues?

Thereis a reason thereareoperations andsales thrivingthewaytheyare. Theyhadthepriorities there. Theymadeitaboutthecattle, thecustomer, the success of theircustomers –notthesuccess of them.

You’ll beamazedathowmanyin this industrycan beso dominatingandso humble. To paraphraseJames Brown, “didyoupaythecostto betheboss?”

Don’tsurroundyourself with thewrongpeople. Don’tbea victim. Onewin doesn’tconstituteyouas an expert, andalways bewillingto sacrificethe things you’ll forgetto achievethethings you’ll neverforget.

A Beginner's Guide for Showing Cattle

A Primer for First Timers

Preparing for and showing cattle can be an extremely rewarding and educational experience for young people. The lessons learned in showing cattle can directly inform their lives in positive ways. Responsibility, patience, good sportsmanship, good organization, confidence, respect for animals and people alike—the list of benefits is a long one. For those interested in the experience, knowing how to prepare the animal and demonstrate smart showmanship will be essential for success in the ring.

Setting Goals

Perhaps your goal is to win a champion ribbon. Nothing wrong with setting high goals we all do it and having something to work toward can be a motivating factor that can lead to success. If you don’t win a champion ribbon first time out, the next time you’ll groom a little finer, handle with a little more control and confidence. As the old cliché goes, it’s the journey, not the destination. If your goal is to win a first place, well, that may not be totally in your control, at the end of the day. The lessons and skills learned as you work toward your goal will be invaluable. After all, that champion ribbon will bring notice to your animal. Positive notice. It also will tell folks that you are a responsible, skilled, and serious handler who knows how to care for his animal and presents an attractive product that, well, wins ribbons. Recognition can possibly lead to financial gain. What are you goals for the animal after the show season? To sell it? Or become member of a replacement herd? Some farmers show cattle to showcase their herd genetics. A champion ribbon is a fine goal in and of itself. It may lead to other successes, as well.

A Beginner's Guide for Showing Cattle

Finding The Shows

Once you’ve put in the hard work of training your animal and perfecting your handling technique, the next step is to show the animal and display your skills. Cattle associations are a great source to find out about local and national events. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction, as well, and give you additional information you’ll need about what classes you and your animal(s) are eligible to enter.

Preparing for The Show

Halter Breaking

Halter breaking is all about patience and practice. Go slow and don’t rush the process. You never ever want to hit your animal. Your goal is to earn the animal’s trust and respect. You’re building a relationship with your animal and that takes time, plain and simple. Have a gentle, compassionate hand and be willing to devote time to the worthwhile effort of teaching your animal to respect the halter. One way to build this trust is to be regular in your interactions with the animal. Develop a routine and stick with it. Soon the animal will know what to expect from you and will learn to respond accordingly. Don’t give up! No two animals are the same and some will be more stubborn than others. Be confident and consistent in your approach.

A Beginner's Guide for Showing Cattle

Teaching to Lead

It shouldn’t take much more than a week to teach your animal to lead. Always stand on the left side of your animal and use gentle pressure to teach your animal to respond by slightly pulling on the halter. Never yank. Once the animal is moving, release the pressure. Start small. Set attainable goals in terms of distance that you can meet and then increase. Don’t expect your animal to be led long distances immediately. Allow them the time necessary to become comfortable with your command and guidance before expecting them to perform at show levels.

Preparing for The Show Ring

A show stick is a very useful tool when teaching your animal how to present itself. To pose a calf or heifer, the front feet should be squarely aligned beneath the shoulders with the hind leg closest to the judge positioned slightly back. You don’t want your animal to be too stretched out. Rather, your animal should be balanced. Once you’re in the ring, you may need to reposition its feet as judges perform their inspections. Do it discreetly and gently.

The Importance of Proper Cattle Nutrition

Part of the impression you’ll create will be based on the fitness of your animal. You don’t want an overweight animal, but you also don’t want one that appears emaciated, like it’s been starved for the sake of the competition. Cattle supplements are a good idea.

A Beginner's Guide for Showing Cattle

Standard Preparation

To maximize your chances of success in the ring, you’ll want your animal looking its best. Proper hoof care means keeping them trimmed. White spots should be bright and clean. The tail should be brushed and fluffy. The coat should be clipped and groomed and looking the best you can get it. Clipping a show animal’s coat can be a complicated process. Be sure you’ve done your research and have had plenty of practice trimming and clipping before you get to the show. Before the start of the show season, make sure you’ve clipped your animal of its winter coat and begin training the animal’s topline hair. Then, a couple days before the show, clip the animal for the final time taking particular care to get it looking exactly the way you want.

The appearance of your animal will count. It makes sense to ask many questions and ask for the advice of folks who have shown animals in the past so you can get yours looking the way judges will expect it to appear. Many judges are looking for a fluffy coat. This can be to your advantage as a fluffy coat may hide or disguise any physical imperfections your animal might have. To achieve a fluffy coat, spend perhaps more time than you’d think necessary combing the animal. Doing so will create the appearance of a healthy animal, and it will tell the judges that you are a handler who knows the importance of making a positive impression.

A Beginner's Guide for Showing Cattle

The Basics of Showmanship

The animal is the star of the show, but you should look your best, be well-mannered, and calmly confident at all times. If the show requires a dress code, you’ll want to find that out in advance of show day. If there is no dress code, a button down shirt tucked in with a belt, hard-toed shoes, and a generally clean, combed appearance is standard. Once in the ring, it’s time to let everyone see the results of all the hard work you’ve done. The ring should be big enough to allow everyone in the class adequate space, but that may not always be the case. Whenever possible, leave several feet between you and the handler in front of you. Don’t tailgate and don’t lag behind. Keep a steady pace consistent with the flow of everyone else. Do not pass the handler in front of you if they’re moving too slowly or their animal is unruly. It is acceptable to give the animal in front of you a gentle tap on the thigh if they’ve come to a halt. When you have the opportunity, make steady, confident eye contact with the judges. Even if you haven’t shown an animal before, try to appear like you have. Your calm confidence will be part of your overall presentation. Don’t be smug or overlyconfident in your appearance. Humility goes a long way. With any luck, you’ll take home a ribbon--maybe even top prize in your class. If you don’t happen to place this time, be thoughtful about what you can do next time to improve on your performance. At the end of the day, the judge’s decision is the judge’s decision. The best you can do is the best you can do--that’s usually enough to impress just about anyone.

8 Essential Show Cattle Tips

1. Know Your Animal

Not all cattle are the same. Animals have personalities, and some may need more work in some areas than others. If you have the same training regimen for all of your cattle, you would be doing them a disservice. Look at each calf from a judge’s point of view to determine which flaws need correcting.

2. Earn the Animal’s Trust

When you show a calf, the animal needs to follow your directions in front of a judge. This means that you need to establish a level of trust with your calf. Trust takes time and patience and will only come with consistent effort.

3. Have a Consistent Feeding Routine

Your calf should be fed at the same time every day. Cattle thrive on consistency, and without it there’s a good chance that they will fail to develop. Young calves also tend to eat better in a group setting, so putting several calves nose-to-nose at mealtime could have positive results.

4.

Consult a Veterinarian

Before your animal even arrives at your farm, it’s a good idea to speak to a veterinarian about its care. You’re going to need all the necessary vaccinations and health checkups. Also, get a health history of the animal for your file from the previous owner.

8 Essential Show Cattle Tips

5. Properly Time Old Hair Removal

Calf hair grows in 90-day cycles, so timing is everything when it comes to making sure that your calf’s hair is the right length when your show date arrives. For example, if your show date is in June, you may want to remove all old hair by the middle of March.

6. Hoof Trimming

Hoof trimming is something that you want to have done by an expert. A mistake in trimming or cleaning your calf’s hooves could turn into a serious medical issue. Ask around your area or network with other show exhibitors to find a good hoof trimmer in your area.

7. Walk Into a Staggered Position

When you show your animal, you want to minimize the amount of show stick use involved for such things as feet placement. You can accomplish this by teaching your calf to walk in a staggered position. As you practice at home, take a few steps backward as you look at the calf’s back feet and then walk them into a staggered position. You should then only have to adjust a front foot instead of wasting time shuffling several feet with a show stick.

8. Keep the Animal Calm During Exhibition

By working with your calf at home, you are setting them up to take your cues and remain calm in a show situation. Always arrive early so that you can get into position without being rushed. Walk slowly and calmly at all times and use the show stick to gently scratch your calf’s belly while standing still to keep it calm.

Top 5 Showmanship Tips

Countless hours are spent preparing a project heifer or steer for show day.

Early mornings and late nights are consumed washing, feeding, clipping and practicing. All of that work accumulates for ‘5 minutes of fame’ – the brief time when an animal walks into the ring and gets a chance to impress the judge. After a few laps around the ring, exhibitors get a chance to display their animal’s side profile, then animals are pulled in, placed and the class is over. When all is said and done, exhibitors and their projects have only been in the ring for a few short minutes, even in large, competitive classes. How can exhibitors make the most of those few minutes, while the judge contemplates his or her decision? How can they make sure their animals are presented to perfection during that time, giving the judge the best look possible?

Honor® Show Ambassadors Dave Allan, Bob May and Kirk Stierwalt have had decades of combined show industry experience and all have had the opportunity to judge showmanship on a regular basis.

1. Teach cattle manners.

“Cattle need to know the cues and fundamentals to be shown properly in the showring,” says Stierwalt. “It’s hard to win, even if you have a good calf, if you can’t get it set up.”

Practicing at home and in various environments is critical. The only way for an animal to learn cues and get comfortable showing is to practice. Practicing in variable environments – whether that be indoor or outdoor, individually or with a group, with background noise or without – can help prepare your animal for a situation they might encounter in the showring.

Top 5 Showmanship Tips

2. Know your animal.

“Not all cattle are set up the same,” says Stierwalt. “You need to know what your calf looks like from a judge’s point-of-view to show them with the best result.”

For some exhibitors it may come naturally to correct flaws with their project, while for others it may take some time to see what the judge sees in the showring. While one animal may need it’s head held a bit higher, another might need it’s back touched down just a bit more. Practicing both on the halter and off, can help exhibitors identify flaws and learn how best to correct those flaws in the ring.

3. Walk into a staggered position.

One of Dave Allan’s top tips is learning how to walk your cattle into a staggered position to minimize showstick use for feet placement. “Practice at home by taking the last several steps, switch hands while walking backwards looking at the back feet, and walk them into staggered position,” says Allan. “By doing so, most of the time you’ll only have to move the left front foot. You’ll be set up quickly and avoid a lot of time spent on unnecessary shuffling of the feet.”

4. Set, and don’t forget.

Both Allan and May emphasize that while many parents tell their kids to watch the judge and smile, too often young exhibitors end up staring the judge down and disregarding presentation of their animal. “Exhibitors spend months preparing for a show. To be competitive you need to watch your animal. First and foremost you need to get them set up, then look for the judge,” says May. Allan adds, “You need to know where the judge is to correctly set your animal up and watch for cues to get pulled, but priority should be on making sure your animal is set up properly.”

Top 5 Showmanship Tips

5. Never be late.

Whether the class is showmanship or the animal’s actual class, May advises exhibitors to always be on time. Be aware of how quickly classes are going, keep a close watch on the showring as your class approaches and be ready to enter the ring once the previous class is in.

If a judge has to wait for a late arrival or is already in the midst of placing the class, exhibitors late to the ring often won’t get the look they worked hard to receive.

An exhibitor may have a potential class-winning animal, but if not properly presented and fed, that animal may not rise to the top. Practicing and perfecting showmanship skills are critical for giving the judge the best look on show day, as is a high-quality plane of nutrition.

5 Showmanship Tips for Cattle | Purina Animal Nutrition (purinamills.com)

“Bob” Allemand

Bob was born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan and Passed away peacefully at home near Shaunavon, SK with family at his side.

Bob Married his Sweetheart in 1966 Sharon Humphrey They had 2 children: Daryl & Bonnie And as Daryl put it “They were privileged to watch their parents love for each other and to watch them work as a team building a legacy and raising a family ”

Bob loved farming and ranching, and along with it came responsibilities that he made sure to instill in his children.

As the Family grew, Bob welcomed each in-law and grandchild with love. The latest was in June last year, a great Grandson who could put the most amazing smile on Great Grandpa’s face.

Bob knew the importance of the people in his life and always made time for family, friends, and neighbors He loved the get togethers, the hunting trips, brandings, and camping Later, Bob and Sharon enjoyed some longer trips including to Texas to visit their Longhorn Friends there

Bob loved hunting, he took a taxidermy course and started doing this for the love of the art

In 1970, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation asked Bob to be the measurer for Southwest Saskatchewan, this was a position he held for 52 years In this time, he has put the tape on 253 Record animals and was proudly one of three measurers of the record book Hanson Buck. He also measured for the Pope and Young Club and Boone and Crockett World Records.

As the farm grew, so did the workload but he never backed down from the challenge In fact, he was always seeking out the next challenge or opportunity to change things up for the better This, along with his passion for western history inspired him to buy his first registered Texas Longhorn cow in 1983 You could always find Bob taking grain to these cows in order to take their pictures He loved to show them in Calgary, Red Deer, Regina, and Saskatoon. Winning shows and awards throughout the years. He was a founding member of the Canadian Longhorn Association and proudly hosted two field days. This part of Bob’s livelihood allowed for him to add many more lifelong friends

As per the family here are some of the greatest impression or impact that Bob had on their lives

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Family matters

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Be kind, respectful, patient, calm, levelheaded and humble. Work hard. Leave it better than it was before Help where it is needed Think things through Follow your dreams

Bob was a leader and a mentor He set an example for us all He always had a twinkle in his eye and a friendly greeting for everyone. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community.