To help you understand my position more clearly, you need to know that I do have experience as a showman and have won showmanship contests at the national level, not just at the local or county level. Which I believe proves I have a good understanding of how to get my calf noticed by a judge. I agree – the example you give is ridiculous. My point of wearing a hat has nothing to do with what the judge is doing or wearing.
Where we disagree, though, is when you say that when you are in a show ring, you and your calf are two separate entities. You and your calf are really one unit. Your calf should be presented as the best it can be, and you should present yourself as a professional also. The more polished you look, the better the whole package looks and the better you will do. So individuality, and how you accomplish that, along with the choices you make will help determine your success. This is true in any profession.
The idea of what makes a professional showman, and how to make your calf stand out to a judge, should be up to each person to decide. It could be a western hat, a sparkly belt or a show halter with sequins. The idea is to make your calf stand out from the crowd by whatever means you feel works. Young people should be learning how to think for themselves, whether it’s in the show ring or in real life. That’s why freedom is important, to choose what we want to do and to make ourselves better professionals.
Where we disagree, though, is when you say that when you are in a show ring, you and your calf are two separate entities. You and your calf are really one unit. Your calf should be presented as the best it can be, and you should present yourself as a professional also. The more polished you look, the better the whole package looks and the better you will do. So individuality, and how you accomplish that, along with the choices you make will help determine your success. This is true in any profession.
The idea of what makes a professional showman, and how to make your calf stand out to a judge, should be up to each person to decide. It could be a western hat, a sparkly belt or a show halter with sequins. The idea is to make your calf stand out from the crowd by whatever means you feel works. Young people should be learning how to think for themselves, whether it’s in the show ring or in real life. That’s why freedom is important, to choose what we want to do and to make ourselves better professionals.
