Getting Ready for Jackson

[WagaAgeyv]

Is there any suggestions about the Jackson Show this weekend? This will be our first true halter show. My son, Kelly is 9, helped with a new calf when a friend was showing his cow, but that is it. We have shown a non haltered. We have the bull "Paint" and the steer "Storm". We don't have a barn to practice in so I hope with all this cold all goes well.
We are at a rip romping 30 degrees this morning and been close to that all week the last week and a half. Not much practice time, they hate cold as much as we do. So maybe with good warm weather all will work out. Help with any pointers you may have. :D

 

[-bherefords]

Well since its your first halter show , don't know what that means, but put the show halter on the calves so they get used to it and get in the ring the night before so the calf and your son get the feelin' of bein' in the ring, make sure yall practice stick 'em too

 

[WagaAgeyv]

my son has never been in a show except with helping. We have been working and using stick at home but my son says he is scared he is going to mess up and not do right. Just give me some encouraging words f advice to help a 9 year old prepare. This is my first show as well. Just nerves I guess.

 

[Ryan]

Jackson is a great show, especially for beginners. I wish we were going. Everyone there is great and real laid-back. The best advice is to just have fun, relax, and enjoy everything. Worrying too much about doing it just right is a sure fire way to mess up. THe best advice I can give, which I gave to my little brother, is this: Don't Worry, Watch the Judge, Just follow the animal in front of you or the ring steward, set your animal up with enough space between animals, and most of all Have Fun! I know there will be lots of great people there willing to help you out with anything, just ask and they will be more than willing to help out.

Ryan

 

[jaydill]

my son has never been in a show except with helping. We have been working and using stick at home but my son says he is scared he is going to mess up and not do right. Just give me some encouraging words f advice to help a 9 year old prepare. This is my first show as well. Just nerves I guess.

Listen to Ryan's advice, it's good! Tell your son not to worry. If he worries, the calf worries. They're sensitive to these things. Just tell him to do what he's practiced at home. If he makes a mistake, it's fine! You've got to learn some time. I think he'll do just fine. :) Just make sure that calf has had the halter on before and been lead with the halter before so he doesn't freak if it's the first time you put it on him right before the show. Keep practicing stickin' him cause chances are, he'll walk right into place if you've worked him enough.

 

[WagaAgeyv]

Thanks we appreciate all advice given. Wish you were going as well. I would like to put a live face with a poster and a name. Thanks again

 

[cattlemom]

Just help him remember that there is nothing that he can do in the show ring that the judge hasn't seen before!! My son was also very nervous at his first couple of shows until one of the older members started laughing about some of the mistakes she made when she was a beginner. He realized then that everyone has to start somewhere!!

 

[WagaAgeyv]

Thanks again for the advice. Signing off to go home and pack for the road I will check the boards when I get to the hotel and see what anyone else says. Thanks everybody! ;-)

 

[shutskytj]

When you get there watch, watch, watch and then learn from your mistakes I can't tell you how bad my first show was I was getting dragged around the ring I held on though

 

[shutskytj]

Also when sticking your animal if you want the leg to go back push backwards slightly on the animal as your are sticking the hoof if you want the leg to go forwards pull slightly on the animal forwards as you are sticking the animal, the animal tends to move the leg where you want it better

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Be ready EARLY. If you are rushed before the show - everything seems to go wrong. Get ready soon enough to go FOR A WALK with the calf. Don't have him standing forever than expect him to be quiet in the ring. He needs EXERCISE & that will also give your son time to relax & calm down. After a nice long walk, offer him water.

 

[WagaAgeyv]

WE at Medicine Hat Farms would like to say THANK YOU for all the advice given to us. We read the last posted note the night before the show and reread the rest. My son Kelly did well for his first show. He placed 3rd twice with heifers, BGF Claudet and BT Legacy. 4th with bull Medicine Hat War Paint and 2nd with his steer Medicine Hat Storm Cloud, And best of all he got 1st in showmanship. THnaks everybody will post pics soon.

 

[jaydill]

Congratulations!!! :clap:

 

[la4angus]

And best of all he got 1st in showmanship.

That's more importaant than all the other 1st places and Grand Championships combined in the entire show. My Congragulations to Him!!!

 

[shutskytj]

I agree la because anybody with money can go out and buy the champion but not everybody can have the work ethic and know how to win showmanship.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

And best of all he got 1st in showmanship.

That's more importaant than all the other 1st places and Grand Championships combined in the entire show. My Congragulations to Him!!!

I totally agree! Congratulations. Showmanship is strickly about the kids. Way to go!!! He must have spent time walking!

 

[warpaint]

Thank ya'll for the kind words. Kelly has worked very hard over the past 6 mos. or so. His mother and I are very proud of him. He never complains about his chores with the cattle,(wish the same was true with the house chores), and he really enjoys being around them. He has made speeches and done demos in 4H about our breed. Again Thanks. :)