We were stalled in the section to the east of the arena on the south side isle. There was a big group "Mountain Home FFA". We brought 15 calves with our group. Most of our steers got buried in their classes, but the heifers fared very well. Funny, the second day one of our boys has a Gelbvieh cross steer and showed him as that breed, and won because he was the only one. That's strategy. He did not know he could show that breed the first day.
As far as pumping is concerned, it is illegal at most shows in Arkansas except for this one. We are very against it personally, so dangerous for the calf if not done right. Most of our shows have very strict rules, no added hair, no fake color unless it is the calves original color, no pumping, only owner can show the animal, etc. Always someone trying to break the rules anyway, especially the pumping part. Hiding calves in trailers and the like. Many of us are self policing the shows and turning in people who are suspected of "cheating". Seems like every year someone gets banned at our state fair for "cheating". The rules are very clear and signs are up everywhere. The only way a calf can be pumped is by the on call vet if it is or will become a health problem.
Our strategy for multiple shows in a day is to us the "foam", but you gotta have good leg hair to do it. The people that "fit" either tie their animal up or put carpet under them. I have decided that 2 shows in one day is our limit. When they do the multiple shows they run double rings, so you move from 1 ring to the next. Hopefully the judges are about the same speed, but not usually. Thats what happened with the 4 shows. The first 2 went very long, and the "afternoon" dual shows became "evening" shows.