The Most important thing to remember is there can be only one Champion Showmen and Animal.
In three short years I went from a show ring nightmare to the top six in showmanship, when I stepped out of the ring I made the statement I won; Some thought I was nuts! That is because I had a personal goal to be in the top six. This is why it is very important to set goals that you can realize. Of course I set my sights on Champion; REACH FOR THE STAR’S, but I will take that personal best win every time.Tips for Mom and Dad
Teach us, show us, train us; but once we step in the ring we are on our own. Please don’t try to give us orders and tell us what to do. The judge wants to see what we know? We can not hear the judge if you are giving us directions on what to do. Believe me we are trying our best!
Safety
Teach us what to do when our steers are behaving badly. Let us do the groundwork and gain the trust of our animal.
Show us how to keep our cool so that we don’t get to nerves in the ring. This takes time and a lot of practice Our steers are BIG and that is the scariest thing.
Train us on how to keep our selves and the others in the ring from getting hurt. Show us what to do in the worst case of badly behaving steers.
To you who are showing the steers, no matter how bad it gets in the ring. If the Judge ask if you would like to leave the ring SAY NO! If the judge wants you to leave He or She will not give you the choice to stay.
This is the time to show that you did work with your steers, and what you have learned.
Below is my story that happened my first year.
My first year with beef project; I had every 4-h showman’s nightmare.
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 name 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.
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.
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 than any other person there.
One last thing! Don't wait until the last minute to start working with you animals, these are not pets. Remember if you give it your best, that is the best you can do and just keep working at your show ring skills.
P.S.
This steers name was Clint Eastwood and the others steers name was John Wayne, Famous tough guys. I don't do that any more, because that is just what these two steers were tough guys.
