There's not nearly as much of this going on as you think AJ. Believe it or not, it's possible to win a cattle show by hard work, skill, and a little luck. I've done it. With both Shorthorns and Herefords at what I would call a high level ( jr nationals, Illinois state fair, Denver, Louisville). A lot of people have asked me about these things and if they went on when I was at a high profile shorthorn place. I have never seen an animal be aired. Not in my year and a half with shorthorns or the last 4 months being in charge of Herefords. Never gone through much LA 200 either. Pumping isn't even in the same category in my opinion, but I couldn't even tell you where our pump is to be honest. We've used it more for treating sick calves than making one full for fun. What are we allowed to feed them AJ? Sagebrush? Tumbleweed? 6 ounces of dirt a day?
I know it's a hard pill to swallow, people being happy doing something you consider superfluous, but it's the way of the world. Heck, I get to make Herefords pretty for a living. That's pretty unfair and a little crazy for sure. But why not? It's not hurting anybody, least of all the cattle.