Showmanship scramble & courtesy to other exhibitors

We recently attended and participated at a show.  My showman made the first cut and was going back into the ring for semi finals.  She was near the front of the line and the kids around her were calmly making their way into the ring.  One overzealous showman came out of nowhere from behind and pushed her way thru the gate, knocking my showman into the fence almost knocking her down, and banging our heifer around in her attempt to be first in. I'm not sure what other casualties there were before she blew passed the three or four ahead of us.    Seems to me like it has become a mad scramble to be the first into the showmanship ring.  I understand why everyone wants to be in the right place but I'm concerned about the lack of respect for other exhibitors - both in covering up and shoving passed them like we experienced.    Lucky for us, my showman was calm and got herself collected and made it into the ring.

Has anyone else noticed that there seems to be  more of this?

Tell your showman that is dosnt matter in what order they enter the ring,, but what order they leave it in.

So true!  My showman survived that to show in the next round.. 

Apparently your showman was wanting to be first in themselves or they wouldn't have been put in that situation.  In my opinion going in last is just as good or better than going in first.  At your next show have your showman lag back, stay out of the rush, and go in last.  I think you will be happier with the outcome. Gives them plenty of room, no worries about someone crowding you from behind and gives the judge just as good a look as first in. JMO G-Luck

My showman wasn't trying to be first in, was just going in as the others trickled into the ring.  She might have been in the first 3rd in.  They were somewhat lined up as they had come out.  In any case, you are  correct, there was more elbow room at the end of the line when they all got into the ring.  The point I am trying to make is that there is not really any excuse for rudeness from one exhibitor to the next.  My kids have all experienced being covered up in the ring and they know what to do about it.    That is one thing, this was another, more dangerous thing.  Had my showman been a smaller/younger child or less experienced, and/or our heifer a more flighty animal, this could have been a bad accident.

Personally, I think its best to be neither first nor last, however, you should be closer to one or the other.  If you are first, you could have to fast or slow of a pace and your the one setting it for that class.  If your last, you're more likely to not be seen or just simply not get tailed.  We all know that every show doesn't have the best ring help.  I heard this from many judges over my years of showing. 

IMO, most of the better showmen will find their best place in the ring and make themselves be seen..    I just dont' want to see them do that at the expense of another exhibitor.    I just wonder where the politeness to others has gone?

Have xbar knock the hell out them. jmo

Something to think about...

When I'm judging, I'm watching you line up and come in the ring for showmanship.  There's nothing wrong with being the first one in (or the last one, or anywhere in between), but you better have got there by being the first one to walk up - if you got there by running over others or "cutting" in line, you aren't going to win.  Same goes for intentionally running over or covering up others in the ring.  I'm not the only judge that does this.  And remember we're watching you the whole show, not just in the contest.