Showring Rant.
I struggled with a title to this post because "What Chaps My Butt" doesn't seem very tactful. Not to mention that I would have to use it for most of the posts on this blog. So, here we are.
I have had the privilege of showing livestock since somewhere around the sixth grade. I have not always been at the bottom, and have certainly not always been at the top. However, I have never been embarrassed or unproud of our animals, whether they were purchased or raised on our place. Also, whether we had a chance at Grand Champion or stood somewhere down the line, I was the one at the end of the halter. In recent years, more parents and friends have taken chances at the lead since we are in the open show circuit. Still, any chance I had, sometimes when the animal wasn't even mine, I was sticking the cattle.
This is not a power struggle, and it is not because I have some notion that I am the only one that can stick my calves properly. It was and is because I love showing. I love the feeling of being in the ring and exhibiting that animal to the best of my ability. I love the feeling of showing a heifer or bull to the top place, and I am comforted even if I return defeated that I did the best I could. We always made sure that our calves were where I could handle them and. I'll be honest, there hasn't been many times where I couldn't handle even the orneriest ones.
I have seen a trend, even within our little showing community, of people having other kids show their calves in the "big" shows. I am not talking about providing a calf for a junior to show throughout the year, nor am I talking about another person showing it because the regular showman is unable to be there or unable to show, etc. I am talking about families with a child that wants to show and has the showing experience being replaced with another showman for the sole purpose of winning. I understand there are circumstances where a calf may be acting up or the showman is participating in another show, etc. But it irks me to see juniors that have the experience and knowledge of sticking a particular animal replaced by another junior with no different stature with an animal that is not wild or stubborn.
How is this helpful to anyone, especially the junior being replaced? It is not teaching them how to exhibit in different show environments. It is not teaching them to grow and improve as a showman. I have shown in little fairs to national shows, and they are totally different environments. The similarity, however, was that I was in the ring for all of them. I was on the end of the chain. If a child knows that he or she won't show their animal if it is a big show, then what motivation do they have to work with it?
What does that say to their confidence? "You're doing a really good job, honey but we are going to use someone else for this show because it's big and more important." I do not see how this is encouraging at all, especially when the child is younger. Above all, we should be looking to inspire the showmen to get better and get experience, no matter the competition level. Just like any sports venue, the show ring is not a place to "play to your competition." How will they learn to give it their everything if you are limiting them?
I can't explain the feeling of that Grand Champion slap when you're the one on the lead. Denying any junior of that is saying it is not about them, it is ALL about winning. When the banners and buckles take the place of encouraging a kid and helping them grow, that is when problems start. Adults in their lives should be cheering them on. We should not create situations that breed even a nugget of the message "you are not good enough." That is when problems start.
I have had the privilege of showing livestock since somewhere around the sixth grade. I have not always been at the bottom, and have certainly not always been at the top. However, I have never been embarrassed or unproud of our animals, whether they were purchased or raised on our place. Also, whether we had a chance at Grand Champion or stood somewhere down the line, I was the one at the end of the halter. In recent years, more parents and friends have taken chances at the lead since we are in the open show circuit. Still, any chance I had, sometimes when the animal wasn't even mine, I was sticking the cattle.
This is not a power struggle, and it is not because I have some notion that I am the only one that can stick my calves properly. It was and is because I love showing. I love the feeling of being in the ring and exhibiting that animal to the best of my ability. I love the feeling of showing a heifer or bull to the top place, and I am comforted even if I return defeated that I did the best I could. We always made sure that our calves were where I could handle them and. I'll be honest, there hasn't been many times where I couldn't handle even the orneriest ones.
I have seen a trend, even within our little showing community, of people having other kids show their calves in the "big" shows. I am not talking about providing a calf for a junior to show throughout the year, nor am I talking about another person showing it because the regular showman is unable to be there or unable to show, etc. I am talking about families with a child that wants to show and has the showing experience being replaced with another showman for the sole purpose of winning. I understand there are circumstances where a calf may be acting up or the showman is participating in another show, etc. But it irks me to see juniors that have the experience and knowledge of sticking a particular animal replaced by another junior with no different stature with an animal that is not wild or stubborn.
How is this helpful to anyone, especially the junior being replaced? It is not teaching them how to exhibit in different show environments. It is not teaching them to grow and improve as a showman. I have shown in little fairs to national shows, and they are totally different environments. The similarity, however, was that I was in the ring for all of them. I was on the end of the chain. If a child knows that he or she won't show their animal if it is a big show, then what motivation do they have to work with it?
What does that say to their confidence? "You're doing a really good job, honey but we are going to use someone else for this show because it's big and more important." I do not see how this is encouraging at all, especially when the child is younger. Above all, we should be looking to inspire the showmen to get better and get experience, no matter the competition level. Just like any sports venue, the show ring is not a place to "play to your competition." How will they learn to give it their everything if you are limiting them?
I can't explain the feeling of that Grand Champion slap when you're the one on the lead. Denying any junior of that is saying it is not about them, it is ALL about winning. When the banners and buckles take the place of encouraging a kid and helping them grow, that is when problems start. Adults in their lives should be cheering them on. We should not create situations that breed even a nugget of the message "you are not good enough." That is when problems start.
