Showmanship

I am new at showing cattle i do well at the classes i put my calves in. But when it comes to showmanship time i don't have a clue what the judge looks for? Can you SP members tell me what judges look for in showmanship. THANKS for your help.  (cow) 

Let me find a youtube video of a member on here that is showing a heifer calf...hes a pretty good showman.

Showmanship is a tough one to explain on the Internet.  Keep your head up, keep the calve's head up. Walk in step with the calf, practice walking your calf into place at home.  Always watch the judge, and make eye contact when they are looking at you.  Make sure the judge can see your animal, don't let someone else cover you up and don't put your calf in a hole or a dark spot in the ring.  

I'm probably giving all the wrong tips, but these are a few of the things that you need to do.  I'd watch the Kirk Stierwalt videos, it sounds like you're a young kid just getting a start.  Those videos are a great way to learn alot, and you can go back to them time and time again.  The Showmanship part of Stierwalt's videos is the best part I think.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PImJ5X7IyU0

Found it! Study him and use this as a base. There is always something to perfect when you show. You have to know everything about your animal...its problems, if there is something you would change...etc. Go to local shows and just watch! Do lots of practices. You will get the hang of it.

Watch a show with someone who has a lot of experience showing cattle and have them point out to you showmen who are doing things correctly and mistakes. I think watching the really good ones could help you out.

Try to attend one of Stierwalts clinics he teaches every part about show cattle from selection ,daily care, clipping,fitting,and showmanship. You will definately learn alot(probably dheaper than buying all the dvds)

Where are the Stierwalts clinics?

ROMAX said:

Try to attend one of Stierwalts clinics he teaches every part about show cattle from selection ,daily care, clipping,fitting,and showmanship. You will definately learn alot(probably dheaper than buying all the dvds)

Click to expand...

I don't know about being cheaper, but the clinics are way more in depth!  They can also be kind of overwhelming for a novice, which is why I suggested the videos to get started, their re-play value is tremendous. 

Forbes- I have a free dvd that Purina was mailing out last year that I think you would find most helpful.  I know lots of other people have it, but if you would like my copy, PM me your address and I'll mail it to you.

practive at home have sombody play the part of the judge also whwn you get your animal set let someone else hold it there and you go look at it from the judges view and see if it looks its best then you will know how it should look from the show halter

The more you practice, the better you will get.  Have someone with a lot of experience work with you.  You will be surprised what you can learn.  Good Luck! (thumbsup)

Obviously I'm late to the conversation, but I thought I'd chime in.

Never take your eyes off the judge. Be calm, don't rush or get pissed. Don't mess with the calf's feet too much. Get the calf set and keep it calm. Be prepared to answer general questions about the beef industry (production, anatomy, reproduction, etc.). Remember, your appearance is important too- make sure your shirt is tucked in and your hair is out of your face (if you've got long hair). If the judge touches your calf, use your Scotch comb to put the hair back in place after he walks away (if it's a hair show, of course). Never stand between the judge and your calf....

Oh goodness, the situations are endless. If you have any specific situational questions, feel free to PM me. I exhibited steers and heifers for over ten years and my younger sister and younger cousin continued showing after I graduated from HS. I won quite a few showmanship contests in my day.

This is my first post as a SP member

Don't get impatient with your animal....yanking him around.  Stay patient and calm, get the animal set quickly, move your show stick slowly when scratching, I've been told when you move your show quickly, you appear nervous.  When the Judge approaches your animal, stay out of the Judge's way giving him/her access to your animal, and move show stick to scratch in between front legs if necessary.  ALWAYS keep eye contact with the Judge and SMILE!