Our 2015 Shorthorn Jr Nationals

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Will

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We had a great time in Grand Island.  We saw a lot of good friends and the kids had a ton of fun competing in all of the competitions.  Lexi won a class and was third with her other heifer. I thought that was really good for her first time in the ring at a Junior Nationals.  She was also 3rd in team sales and 5th in the livestock judging contest.  Ryan was 5th in team fitting(2nd year in a row to make top 5) and 3rd in the quiz bowl.  In the ring his plus heifer was second in class and Lane's Mr Colt repeated as Champion bull. 
 

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Will

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Mark
I will say I was disappointed that the numbers were down.  I had several tell me that they did not go this year as they did not feel like they could be competitive.  I am not sure what everyone defines as competitive. But what I will say is my kids were winners before they even entered the ring.  The people you meet and the Friends you make at a Junior Nationals are the greatest things about these events.  As far as being competitive I helped with 3 heifers that cost less than $2500 that won classes 2 others that cost less than $2500 that stood 2ND and 3rd in class.  I am not sure that is considered competitive but we were very happy.  So with a little diligence and hard work it can be done.  I say next year everyone should try and take your kids to a Junior Nationals.
Will
 

Will

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The very top end were very good.  They are a couple steps up.  But I feel like you do not have to win to be competitive.
 

BroncoFan

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Dec 24, 2013
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mark tenenbaum said:
Yup-almost goes without saying-doing well is in the eyes of the beholder O0
The frustrating part of it all is most kids work their butts off but it all comes down to one person's opinion on show day and if you don't have what they are looking for then it doesn't matter what you are dragging.  I've seen kids get dinged for having calves that too hairy or not hairy enough.  Too tall or not tall enough, Too much like an angus or not angus enough, etc.  It will be 3+ years before my own son will be able to jackpot some heifers so I'm trying to get this all figured out before then.
 

ifinditfunny

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BroncoFan,

Your in the wrong arena if you think you'll have it figured out to where your always at the top. Except for a few exceptions around the country. I can prolly count them on one hand, everyone will have their day at the bottom. It's impossible to drag cattle that everyone will like. Those few exceptions have the resources to drag enough good ones at you that surely the judge will like one. Most families don't have that ability. This is a tough game but a whole lot of fun if done the right way with your family.

 

BroncoFan

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I don't expect to win anything. I'd just like to see consistency. You know at be in the ballpark of a standard.
 

Will

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Jay Ok
First off I will say I like winning.  But that is not the goals we have with the kids and their projects.  We want our cattle to look good and be a good representative of our operation.  We want our kids to learn how to work hard and win or lose with grace. One of the things I was most pleased with is that we had two differant breeders I respect come and tell me how hard my kids work and that they thought we had the nicest made beds at the junior nationals.  It is those compliments that will make a dads chest swell win or lose. 
 

ifinditfunny

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BroncoFan you need to be showing dogs then. Few things in life are more subjective than cattle shows. One year at Denver we were 3rd out of 12 in junior show. Next day we were 12-15 in open show. Different judges different views of importance.
 

Spencer10218

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Broncofan, you don't need show dogs, cattle will always improve and there will always be different cattle at shows, the desired look will also change so just keep up on what's in and you can be competitve with out spending 10k on a calf.
 

BroncoFan

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Spencer10218 said:
Broncofan, you don't need show dogs, cattle will always improve and there will always be different cattle at shows, the desired look will also change so just keep up on what's in and you can be competitve with out spending 10k on a calf.
Thank you!  Yeah we would just like to keep up with what is "in".  Living out here west.  We probably will never get to go to a national breed show.  Maybe Denver or Billings but it should be great to save our money (make a vacation out of it) and one day get to see great cattle on a national stage.
 

mark tenenbaum

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Great thread-and alot of things to be proud of other than winning are touched upon. First and foremost the life education this gives kids-and being able to watch them develope as parents.It can also come down to producing the kind of cattle YOU LIKE anyway.There was one of mine a few years ago that never went anywhere showing-although the family did a great job with her-but when she was going to the wash rack-or just in the stalls-alot of people liked her. When they decided to sell her-a very well known breeder in Iowa took her-and those things made me pretty  proud, along with how well she was presented regardless if they werent totally happy with her show record. And if Bronco fan can get to Denver-thats as far as you need to go to see the absolute pros at work. O0
 
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