My first year with beef project; I had every 4-h showman’s nightmare.
OK it was my first year with a beef project I had no idea about the different breeds. I chose Saler - Angus, mostly Saler, which was a mistake. Saler is a French breed which is hot blooded, and in my case extremely wild.
I worked with my calf’s everyday and everyday it was like they were never messed with, No matter what I did. I kept working and working for months.
So when show day came around I thought I was good to go. I wasn't!
After a couple of times around the ring in showmanship the calf names John Wayne; stepped on the edge of my right boot and tripped me, then he pinned me down by my pants leg. The Judge then came over and helped me up at that point the judge ask me it I want give up and leave the ring? I said NO! A couple of hours later I had to go back in the ring with John Wayne he did a little better this time. Not really!
By the way John Wayne was the gentle one, Now it is time to show Clint Eastwood.
Here it comes, Clint was the wild one a big pain in the neck. Clint didn’t stand still at all. First he kicked another showman's comb out of her pocket and then he came within an inch of kicking the judge. Thank Goodness no one got hurt, The judge tried to touch Clint but No luck he danced and danced around, even without being able to touch Clint the judge placed him 3rd in his weigh class.
Afterward I thanked the judge for not taking me out of the ring.
Now would you like to Know what I learned from this nightmare?
1 - Saler is not a breed for a beginner; I might try Saler again when I get more experience. One thing about Salers they are a GREAT Steak, good eating.
2 - The first year; learn all the safety rules and what to do when you steer acts up.
3 - Never give up; when you are asked if you want to leave the ring say NO.
4 - If you can’t touch them you can’t judge them.
5 - Everything that could go wrong did. I learned more from what went wrong than I ever could have if it would have went right.
No matter where you are from it seems that there is one person at the fair that has a bad time with their animals, never count them out for that person just learned more that any other person there.
