It's Not About Winning, It's About Deserving to Win

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simba

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Aug 18, 2011
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Saskatchewan, Canada
This is an essay I wrote for the 2011 Canadian Junior Hereford Bonanza Essay Competition. It won first place in the intermediete catagory and was published in the summer issue of Hereford's Today. I was asked by a Steer Planet member to post it on here. Hope you enjoy & feel free to give me your thoughts on it.

                                                                                        It`s Not About Winning, It`s About Deserving To Win
                                                                                                                By: Larissa Lupul
“It’s not about winning” These are four words that most people hear hundreds of times throughout their childhood. When someone would say that phrase to me I used to nod my head politely and pretend to agree with them. But I always felt that these were words designed to make the loser feel good even though in the eyes of everyone watching the competition ultimately, they were still the loser. My perspective on these words has changed as a direct result of four important events in my nine year career showing Polled Hereford cattle.

    The first event goes back to Agribition 2008. This was my second year at the show and I had brought my heifer Tango as a yearling. She had placed at the top of her class two weeks earlier at FarmFair and with my lack of knowledge about showring politics I thought she could easily do it again in Regina. After placing at the bottom of both her open Hereford and junior classes, I was quite upset. As I was standing near the hitching ring with Tango, not wanting to go back to the stall and admit to placing last again, a man I had never met walked up to me with his hand out. I stared at it for a few seconds before I realized he wanted me to shake his hand. When he said the word “Congratulations” I had to try my best not to get angry. I was the loser, why would he say congratulations to me? Finally I composed myself and replied “Thank you but why? I didn’t win” He got a smile on his face and didn’t ask, but stated “The show program says your heifer was bred and owned by you”. I was still puzzled that was no reason to congratulate me. “And did you know that you were the only junior in your class whose animal was bred and owned?” He questioned. I shook my head. He then went on to explain to me that in the eyes of the judge my heifer was not a winner, but in the eyes of many I still was because I had put so much thought and work into Tango; everything from breeding her dam to getting her ready to show. No one bought or picked her out for me. She truly was, and always had been my heifer and for that reason, I was a winner.

      I still have no idea who the man was, where he was from, or if he is even a Hereford breeder; but ever since that conversation with him, I have huge respect for juniors who show bred and owned cattle. I myself make a conscious effort to breed, instead of just buy the best, because I agree with what he said, even if my animals aren’t class winners; when I put that much work into them, I am still winning.

      The second event takes place at my 4-H Heifer Club Show. A young boy in my club who had won champion steer for the past two years was refusing to set up his heifer’s feet in the showring. I knew he was fairly skilled at showmanship so I asked him why he wouldn’t set up his heifer. He answered “I only try when I’m going to win and I’m not going to win so why should I try?” This answer completely shocked me. Whenever I was in a situation where I was sure my animal wouldn’t win, I would use it as motivation to try harder, not to give up. Since that day, I always compare myself to that boy. Even if he is the one winning grand champion steer, I feel that I am winning in the long run because I am putting in the time and effort and I know that when I do win it is because I deserve it.

      The third event that changed my perspective on the phrase “It’s not about wining” happened at the Vermillion Fair during the summer of 2010. I had just gotten back from Bonanza in Quebec when I got an invite in the mail for the show. I really wanted to attend it so I packed up my tack and heifer Whiplash and headed to Vermillion.  Because I only brought one animal, my day was finished early so I ended up helping a friend with his Red Angus animals. He had three head in the championship class and the beautiful little heifer calf that I lead won Reserve Champion Female. But as the crowd clapped -assuming I was the owner- I felt nothing. I was happy for my friend and it was nice to lead the champion, but I didn’t deserve the applause. The fact that I had lead a winner, that didn’t make me one. This was the moment it finally clicked in my head, winning isn’t everything.

      The fourth and final event takes us back to the Agribition Canadian Junior Beef Extreme 2010.  I had been woken up an hour earlier than planned, so it was 2:45 am when we got to the barns. It was a little earlier than I liked to be awake, but I wanted my heifer to look good. And let me tell you, she did. When we finally stepped into the ring, we were unstoppable. Whiplash behaved better than she ever had in her whole show career and the judge noticed. Every heifer in the Hereford yearling heifer class was great, but I honestly believed that mine was better. The whole time I was in the ring -which was quite a while because it was a big class- I kept thinking ‘I deserve this. Whiplash deserves this. Everyone who has helped me during my years of showing cattle deserves this’. Although I wanted to win, even if the judge didn’t place my animal first, I would be a winner. Whiplash was bred and owned, the only one in her class too, I had put my blood, sweat and even a few tears into her. I had worked on her for months, even though I knew I would be competing against big name breeders who had been doing this since before I was born, deep down, I knew I deserved to win. And the judge thought so to. Whiplash won her yearling class and then won the Hereford division to be named the 2010 Canadian Junior Beef Extreme Champion Hereford!

      On the drive home from Agribition, I was quieter than usual. I was thinking about my win with Whiplash and the lessons I had learned during my past few years showing cattle. These are the most important ones I came up with.

People take note when you breed instead of buy the good ones; it really is worth it to show bred and owned cattle. Just because you probably won’t win does not mean you cannot try; there’s always someone watching to see how much effort you put in. It’s no fun to win if you didn’t work for it; even if no one else notices, deep down you won’t really be satisfied. And from these showring lessons I have learned one huge life lesson: It’s not about winning; it’s about deserving to win.
 

ZNT

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Apr 25, 2007
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Rhome, TX
Very well written! 

The essay really puts to words the quote I use on my Steerplanet profile.  Winning isn't about winning.  It's about how you got there.  It's about the combination of work you put into it, the time spent practicing and making every decision, the people that taught and supported you, and the endless days dreaming of what it would be like to be you in that winners circle. 

Money may buy a trophy, but it does not buy a winner.
 

COWgirls

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Aug 2, 2010
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(clapping) O.U.T.S.T.A.N.D.I.N.G  (clapping)

I'd love to share this on our jr cattlemen's facebook page with your permission.  Please let me know.
 

simba

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Aug 18, 2011
Messages
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Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Thanks so much everyone!

ZNT said:
Very well written!  

The essay really puts to words the quote I use on my Steerplanet profile.  Winning isn't about winning.  It's about how you got there.  It's about the combination of work you put into it, the time spent practicing and making every decision, the people that taught and supported you, and the endless days dreaming of what it would be like to be you in that winners circle.  

Money may buy a trophy, but it does not buy a winner.

Thanks, I really like that quote, it is extremely true!

COWgirls said:
(clapping) O.U.T.S.T.A.N.D.I.N.G  (clapping)

I'd love to share this on our jr cattlemen's facebook page with your permission.  Please let me know.

Thanks for the interest, you definately have my permission!
 

ZNT

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Apr 25, 2007
Messages
1,006
Location
Rhome, TX
SD said:
How wise you are for being so young.  :)

Jason should link this essay to his front page.

I liked it so much that I posted it on my blog today.
 

JWW

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Oct 6, 2009
Messages
245
very well written, you speak for many families, individuals and young catlemen/women.
I hope you enjoyed the time in the spot light because- you already know :) - it doesn't come every year
thinking/writing like this makes me want you in control of my cattle and show string


keep working hard and the dividends will pay off in the end  O0


JWW
 

plowkids

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Dec 18, 2011
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Beautifully said!  You should be proud of yourself, your parents have done a great job raising you and instilling amazing values!  I tell my kids these same things and it is nice to see that others "get it" as well!

I put a link on my blog facebook page - I think this is something everyone who shows should read!

http://www.facebook.com/FromMyFrontPorch?ref=tn_tnmn
 

justintime

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May 26, 2007
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Location
Saskatchewan Canada
Larissa, you have learned more in one year of showing your heifer than most people do in a lifetime.  Your essay is fantastic.. well written and thought out. It is filled with truth from the first line to the end. Please post more of your thoughts as we all can learn from what you have to say.  Congrats!
 

herfluvr

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Jul 3, 2010
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231
Congratulations!!! You are a winner on so many levels.  It's hard not to make it about the fancy ribbon but when you breed and show what you have produced and no matter where the judge places you,  YOU still like what you are putting in the trailer to take back to your herd, you are a cattleman.  Not just someone with deep pockets trying to outdo the next guy.  Great job with your girl and keep that level of committment to your herd and yourself and you will continue to succeed in all areas of your life.  Herfs Rock!
 

Geno

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May 16, 2010
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Location
Eastern Washington
People like you, especially young people like you, are what makes this such a great thing.

My son has shown his own cattle for the last three years.  He has done very well considering he has been choosing them from a small commercial herd.  This will be the first year he has shown a purchased animal, but he was the one that went out and picked it, he is paying for it, and he is the one taking care of it.  The only reason he bought one is because he wanted to show a registered heifer at some of the regional Angus shows this summer.  He had a lot of apprehension about showing something that we did not breed, but I honestly believe your essay shows that no matter how you place, the effort you put into your animal really shows in the ring and pays off in life.

I guess my point of the above paragraph is this.  The breeder that sold my son his new heifer never sells his good heifers.  He choose to make an exception because for the last three years my son has taken his own "ok" calves and fit & shown them and has done very well in the ring. He does all his own fitting at the fairs, and does all his own chores (when they needed to be done), halter breaking, everything.  He takes great pride in doing it.  The breeder had noticed this and approached my son with "an offer he couldn't refuse".

I am not beating my own chest here.  I am saying that people like you, that work hard and never give up, your effort never goes un-noticed.

Keep up the good work!  We're all proud of you.

Geno
 

simba

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Joined
Aug 18, 2011
Messages
524
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Thank you so much to everyone for your support! I'll admit, I was thinking about posting this but then backed out until upthecreek contacted me via Steer Planet pm told me he had read it and asked me to post it. If you would like, check out the facebook page for my farm https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barefoot-Polled-Herefords/130977730337906

Geno said:
People like you, especially young people like you, are what makes this such a great thing.

My son has shown his own cattle for the last three years.  He has done very well considering he has been choosing them from a small commercial herd.  This will be the first year he has shown a purchased animal, but he was the one that went out and picked it, he is paying for it, and he is the one taking care of it.  The only reason he bought one is because he wanted to show a registered heifer at some of the regional Angus shows this summer.  He had a lot of apprehension about showing something that we did not breed, but I honestly believe your essay shows that no matter how you place, the effort you put into your animal really shows in the ring and pays off in life.

I guess my point of the above paragraph is this.  The breeder that sold my son his new heifer never sells his good heifers.  He choose to make an exception because for the last three years my son has taken his own "ok" calves and fit & shown them and has done very well in the ring. He does all his own fitting at the fairs, and does all his own chores (when they needed to be done), halter breaking, everything.  He takes great pride in doing it.  The breeder had noticed this and approached my son with "an offer he couldn't refuse".

I am not beating my own chest here.  I am saying that people like you, that work hard and never give up, your effort never goes un-noticed.

Keep up the good work!  We're all proud of you.

Geno

Geno, tell your son to keep up the good work, as you said, hard work doesn't always seem to pay off, but in the long run it will. Good luck with his heifer!
 

Shadow Hill Farm

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Dec 8, 2011
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231
Location
Northern VA
Larissa said:
Shadow Hill Farm said:
Awesome essay! I would like to link this to my site as well!

Thank you. Please do, I'd love that!

Thanks Larissa! I've posted it on both my pages! It's wonderful to see kids still taking the time to do the work with their own cattle! KUDOS!! When I was showing about 15 years ago I had the same problem. I had a registered Angus heifer that I bought for breeding and showing. One year I was taking her and her calf around. I didn't win the show cause of the politics behind it. I had so many people who told me how awesome my cow/calf pair looked. My bull calf at the time was the best (from people telling me and the beef inspector) they had seen in a long while. That made me feel pretty good! They told me I should have won hands down with the cow/calf and the bull class. We didn't. His mother I did win champion in her class one year and that was that. Needless to say a couple more years of showing my bred and owned and the same results cause it was who you knew if you won or not and I got out of it. Now we just got back into raising cattle again for show and breeding. I put a lot of time in effort in the bull selection to ensure quality calves for show and breeding. Everyone who has bought one of our calves has always been impressed. So with that said. Keep up the good work and it's nice to see that kids today still care about the work they put into it!! Keep up the good work!!  <party> (clapping)
If you would like to check out the link I posted your essay on by all means do so and feel free to join!
https://www.facebook.com/SHFA21
 
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