LOL. Not sure what you mean. My cattle are top notch pedigree - but - they are all raised in a "real world" management. Cows get grass in the summer and hay in the winter. Replacements get 5# whole shell corn/hd/day from weaning to breeding, then they are turned out on grass.
Do my show string get pampered? Absolutely. Do they get 15# of feed a day? Absolutely NOT. They get grass at night and hay during the day - lots of good hay. They are fed 1 scoop of grain 2x day - that's 6# of grain a day. And the calves rarely are able to eat that much.
I agree - a lot of "show people" are extreme in their measures to win. I see them put huge feed pans in front of their cattle - AND THEY EAT IT! (that amazes me!). We rarely "fit" out cattle except for our really big shows.
I win with genetics. Plain and simple. Structurally sound, easy keeping cattle. Only been playing this game for 49 years - started showing when my daughter aged out, 30+ years ago.
What "sacrifices" do you see/think?