Get Ready To Show!

So What’s the Purpose Anyway?

• To present an animal in a manner that will show off the best qualities of that animal.

• To downplay any undesirable qualities your animal has.

• To present your animal to the judge and allow him to compare it to the other animals in the class.

The Basics• Train your animal!

– Halter break cattle & sheep– Practice driving your pigs

• Keep it Clean!– It is very important to have a clean animal, but it is just

as important to be clean yourself

• Be Prepared!– Make sure you have all of the tools and supplies

necessary to fit and show your animal

• Know the Rules!– Know what is allowed when fitting your animal and

know what is and is not permitted in the show ring

The Basics - Showmanship

• Be courteous and respectful• Remain Calm• Keep your head in the ring. • Pay attention to what your

animal is doing• Pay attention to the judge• Always make it possible

for the judge to see as much of your animal as he can.

The Qualities to Possess

• A good showman always is:– Well groomed– Courteous– Alert– Modest winner / gracious loser

Beef Fitting and Showing

Tools of the Trade

• Clippers• Rags• Curry comb• Soap• Stiff brush for

washing• Fitting Adhesive• Show oil

• Halters– Leather halter for the

show ring

– Rope halter for tying your animal in the stall

– Neck rope to tie your animal in the stall

• Showstick• Scotch Comb

Preparations Before the Show• 4-5 months before

– Train your animal• You should begin halter breaking as soon as you know which

animal(s) you will be showing

• 3 weeks before– Trim Hooves

• Your animal will move more freely if his feet have been trimmed properly

• This needs to be done 3 weeks ahead of time in case he becomes lame.

– Review the rules of the show, • there might be some rules on what is and is not allowed when

it comes to fitting• Do you need to have your animal tested or vaccinated before

taking them to the show?

Fitting Your Beef Animal• Washing

– Make sure you get any mud balls, etc. off your animal

– Try not to get water in the ears

• If you get water in their ears they will droop and make your animal appear sick

• Remember how you like your baths!

• Clipping– The Key to Clipping

• When you are clipping your animal think about the faults he has and how you can hide them and enhance the good qualities he has.

– Take it slow• Be careful of how much

hair you remove at a time you don’t want to gouge holes that cant be fixed!

Showing Your Beef Animal

• Remember the simple rules!

• Present your animal in a way that shows its best qualities

• Keep your calm and be confident– Confidence is Key!!

Showing Your Beef Animal

• Halter– Hold strap 6-12 inches from animals head

– Don’t wrap extra lead around your hand

• Showstick– Place the feet so they are square under the animal’s

body

– Straighten topline be scratching your animals belly

– Calm your animal by slowly stroking it’s underline

Showing Your Beef Animal

• Basic Showing Techniques– Set up your animal quickly but calmly– Keep it’s front feet out of holes in the ground– Leave ample room on both sides when lined up– Stay alert

• Always watch the judge and your animal

– Keep your animal between yourself and the judge– Re-comb your animal after the judge has handled him– Walk forward with lead rope in your right hand and

showstick in your left

Sheep Fitting and Showing

Tools of the Trade

• Trimming Stand• Bucket• Shears• Wool Card• Curry Comb• Scrub Brush• Hoof trimmers• Rag• Electric Clippers• Sheep Blanket

Fitting Sheep• Know what is allowed

– Example: Do market lambs have to be slick sheared or is rump wool allowed?

• Wash well – Wool Breeds are not washed – it ruins their wool!!

• Shape with electric clippers• Card and trim fleece• Trim and clean hooves• Clean ears with a rag• Clean lanolin glands• Blanket when done

Showing Sheep

• Lead your sheep with one hand under the jaw and one hand on top of the head

• Set up the legs squarely under the animals body quickly, but calmly

• Be in control– You may stand or squat down

• Keep your animal between you and the judge• Brace your lamb when judge is handling it• Keep the lamb’s front feet out of any holes• Be alert – watch judge and animal

Fitting and Showing Swine

Tools of the Trade

• Scrub Brush• Clippers• Grooming Brush• Show Cane• Sprinkling Can• Rags• Soap

Fitting Your Hog

• Wash all mud off – use soap and water

• Clip long hair off ears and tail– Some shows allow body clipping

• Brush the hog’s hair

• You may apply a mist of water to make your hog shine

Showing Your Hog

• Move your pig slowly and calmly• Keep him about 10-20 feet from the judge at all times• Keep the pig between you and the judge• Keep eye contact with the judge but keep control of

your pig• Keep your pig out of holes in the arena• Tap your pig with the cane lightly- never hit your pig

hard• Respond quickly to judge’s directions

Fitting and Showing Dairy

Tools of the Trade

• Rope halter• Leather show halter• Tail comb• Rubber Curry Comb• Clippers• Stiff Brush• Soft Brush• Wire hoof brush• Rags

Fitting Your Dairy Animal

• Trim hooves (prior to the show)• Brush daily• Clip

– Head, neck and tail

• Wash your animal removing any stains they may have

• Clean ears• Clean hooves

Showing Your Dairy Animal

• Walk animal slowly, the showman walks backwards

• Be alert – watch the judge and your animal• Respond quickly to judge’s directions• Set Feet Correctly

– Heifer• Rear leg nearest judge is a step backward from the other leg

– Cow• Rear leg nearest the judge should be a step forward, showing

the udder

• Keep the animal between yourself and the judge• Keep front feet out of any holes in the arena