Showmanship

Since SP is a learning tool, I think we should start a list of the best showmen we know/knew (now and like 10 years ago, even). We should also let the juniors know if the showman mentioned are easy to approach or should just be avoided and watched from the sidelines. Everyone needs a mentor of sorts, someone to help them out. Showmanship is almost a lost art at most shows I attend anymore, with sideline coaches and bluetooth's in the showmans ears!

Who knows, maybe SP will be responsible for helping some of the juniors that are venturing to preview shows, regionals and nationals.

I will start- one of my favorites is Jeana Sankey for a million reasons, not just because she is a friend. She is calm and is very versed in many showring scenerios.

great idea! I'll have to think since hae known some of the best over the years.

Red

bluetooth's in the showmans ears!


If I were the judge, that'd put you at the bottom of class!

Kind'a like takin' your SAT's with the answers written on the inside of your arm. What'er these kids gonna do when there's no one at "command central"?

How you gonna learn without havin' it in your memory bank? 

                       Red, this is where we need a "dazed & confussed" icon!

The best showman I have ever seen is Don Cardey from California. That being said he is probally the last person you would want you child to emulate in the ring as there is a big difference between showmanship in open and junior shows. To me open shows are about getting your animal noticed while junior shows are about setting them up the best. I have seen Don drop the halter on a calf, walk around it to make sure it is set up right then grab the halter again. I have also seen him drop the halter and move the back leg on a calf with his hands. Again these are things a 16 year old girl might not be able to pull off at the county fair but they sure help Don get a few extra looks at Denver and other major shows.

When I was in college I think Mark Davis was one of the best showman I've ever seen.  Never seen someone so calming and quiet around animals.  It was like the cattle knew what he was thinking and did it.  I really think he had a gift with cattle.  Mark was from the Washington Courthouse area.  I think he's in PA now and owns Sterling cattle Co. with his wife Loretta.  Always wondered what became of them two. (clapping)

I'd have to put Tyler Winegardner up there for me.

Red

In regards to the bluetooth comment it is definately wrong but i have heard about a blind kid showing before and perhaps that is what you saw.

Up here its Levi Jackson for me.  He is the calmest man around.  He never lets his "fame" get to him and is always teaching/helping kids.  He gives the longest, most educational class comments at any shows.  Just a great man, who is someone I look up to.  Also raises some of, if not, the best RA females in Canada.  VERY competitive.

There was a blind kid that did show in Indiana and he did, indeed, have a live person in the ring helping him.
  The bluetooth is a Texas thing that a girl that won a major did and is now illegal. I am still astounded that they did it and a rule against that had to be made.
  I am going to toss another name out there, also. I always loved Allison Meyer and I know she is great with juniors.