How to show Texas longhorns By: Brittney Frontera
Table of Contents iii Table of Contents Table of Contents... iii Introduction... v Chapter 1: Preparing Your Animal for a Show...3 Training...3 Feeding...5 Required Feed and Supplements:...5 Chapter 2: Show Morning...9 Preparing Yourself...9 Dress Code...9 Also Needed...9 Preparing the Animal... 11 Night Before... 11 Show Morning... 11 Chapter 3: Inside the Show Ring... 15 Ring Procedure... 15 Showmanship... 17 Index... 19
Introduction v Introduction Exhibiting longhorns is a rewarding experience. Many opportunities are available for youth who want to begin showing longhorns. When you win your first buckle, all of the stress and hard work seems worth it. Perseverance and dedication are necessary qualities an exhibitor must possess to thrive in the show circuit. This manual will prepare you for future longhorn shows and give you a competitive edge. It outlines everything you need to know to succeed in the show ring.
Chapter 1 Preparing Your Animal for a Show
Chapter 1 3 Chapter 1 Training Training your animal for a show begins with halter breaking. The process of halter breaking is the most important part of preparing your animal for shows. 1. Tie your longhorn as high as possible to a post or fence every day for two hours leaving no slack in the lead rope. Figure 1.1 shows the correct way to tie your animal. 2. Brush the animal all over to help it get used to you while the animal is tied. Warning: The animal will be skittish and try to horn or kick you. To prevent injury, push on the longhorn s midsection with your hip. 3. After the two hours is up, untie the animal from the post. 4. Begin teaching the longhorn to walk by stepping in front of the animal s horns and pulling forward on the lead rope. 5. Step behind the animal s horns and pull back the lead rope when you want it to slow down or stop. 6. Walk in a wide oval pattern until the animal begins walking in a smooth, continuous stride. Note: This step may take much longer depending on the stubbornness of the animal. 7. Practice setting up the animal into the two sets: box and offset. Figure 1.2 shows a correct box set and Figure 1.3 shows a correct offset. 8. Hold the longhorn s head high to keep it from moving out of its set. 9. Practice walking the animal in a small circle and returning it to its original stand. Note: You do this in the show ring when the animal walks out of its set. 10. When you are satisfied with your animal s performance and temperament, reward it by petting it while giving it slack in the lead rope. 11. Release the animal but do not unhook the lead rope from its halter. Note: The lead rope helps speed up the halter breaking process because the animal will step on it and feel the tension on the halter.
4 How to Show Texas Longhorns Figure 1.1 Figure 1.2 Figure 1.3
Chapter 1 5 Feeding Feeding your animal must be scrutinized carefully in order to receive successful results. A well-developed feeding plan is important in helping an animal maximize its overall look. 1. Set up a feeding schedule by picking a certain time to feed your animal every day. This can be any time of the day but it needs to stay consistent. 2. Fill a five gallon bucket with Showmaster Heifer developer and add it to the animals bucket. 3. Add one scoop soybean meal with a standard show scoop. 4. Mix the soybean meal and Showmaster together with your hands until it is no longer visible. 5. Pour two scoops beet pulp onto the Showmaster but do not mix. 6. Give the animal two bricks of hay. 7. Give the animal only one brick of alfalfa. 8. Pour the electrolyte powder into their water. Note: This aids their digestive system and gets them to eat more feed. 9. Only if necessary, add one small cup of PowerPhat to the feed. Note: PowerPhat should only be added if the animal cannot gain weight. It can cause excessive weight gain if too much is given to an animal so be cautious. Required Feed and Supplements: Showmaster Heifer Developer Soybean Meal Beet Pulp Hay Alfalfa PowerPhat (only if the animal has trouble gaining weight) Electrolytes
Chapter 2 Show Morning
Chapter 2 9 Chapter 2 Preparing Yourself Make sure that you look clean and presentable for the show. The judge is not only looking at your animal. The judge will be looking at you as well so make sure you are properly dressed. Figure 2.1 displays proper dress code. Dress Code Appropriate western jeans Western boots Long sleeve shirt with collar and cuffs Cowboy hats are allowed but not suggested Western belt Also Needed Show stick Show clip Number
10 How to Show Texas Longhorns Figure 2.1
Chapter 2 11 Preparing the Animal Show morning can be very stressful. It is important to stay focused on the condition of your animal. Accomplish each task long before your class is called to the show ring. Night Before 1. Bathe your animal in the wash racks. 2. Clean the stall while your animal is still in the wash racks. 3. Spread fresh bed shavings before returning the clean animal back to its stall. 4. Dry the animal with towels or a cattle blower. 5. Clip your animal with standard show clippers. Note: Seek instruction from a person who is familiar on how to groom longhorns appropriately. 6. Brush and groom your animal. 7. Give your animal plenty of hay and alfalfa. 8. Feed your animal one bucket Showmaster and two scoops beet pulp. 9. Do not water your animal the night before the show. Show Morning 1. Sweep the aisle with a push broom where your animal s stalls are located. 2. Look at the show programs and find out what class you are in. Note: Pay attention to the intercom to hear if your class is being called. 3. Brush and clean up soiled spots on your animal. 4. Spray and rub Show Sheen all over the animal. 5. Swap the everyday halter for the show halter. Note: Make sure the chain is on the left side of the animal where you lead it. 6. Pour electrolytes into the animal s water bucket. 7. Water the animal two classes before yours. Note: This step is very important. You should get your animal to drink as much water as it possibly can. This step determines whether your longhorn appears either lanky or well-conditioned in the ring. 8. When the class before you is called on the intercom, walk to the make-ready area. Figure 2.2 displays a typical make-ready area. 9. Wait for an official to line you up in your class. 10. Sooth your animal with the show stick while you wait for your class to enter the ring.
12 How to Show Texas Longhorns Figure 2.2
Chapter 3 Inside the Show Ring
Chapter 3 15 Chapter 3 Ring Procedure There is a specific procedure to follow when showing your animal in the ring. It is important to be knowledgeable of ring procedure so the judge does not see you as inexperienced. 1. When entering the ring, follow the longhorn in front of you into the ring. Note: If you are the first one to enter the ring, then follow the ring steward. 2. Keep a cow s length between you and the longhorn in front of you. Figure 3.1 shows the correct spacing when walking. 3. Walk around the entire perimeter of the ring until the ring stewards begin to line everyone up into box set. This is displayed in Figure 3.2. 4. Walk your animal to the ring steward when it is your turn and stop where they tell you to. 5. Set up your animal into box set. 6. Answer any questions the judge asks you as he looks over each longhorn. 7. When the judge motions to walk, pull your longhorn up to the arena wall. 8. Wait to follow the animal in front of you when it begins to walk. 9. Walk around the perimeter of the arena until the animals in front of you stop to do offset. 10. Set up your animal into offset. 11. The judge will begin eliminating and placing the animals. 12. When motioned by the judge, walk to the ring steward in your correct place. 13. Set up your animal into box set. 14. Wait for the rest of the animals to be placed. 15. When placing is over, walk in front of the announcement table when it is your turn. 16. Set up your animal while the judge critiques you. 17. When the judge moves on to the next person, exit the arena and collect your prize at the gate.
16 How to Show Texas Longhorns Figure 3.1 Figure 3.2
Chapter 3 17 Showmanship These are showmanship tips that you should follow to maximize your performance in the ring. Read over them several times and commit them to memory. Keep your eyes on the judge the entire time. Shake the judge s hand after he places you. Walk as smooth and continuous as possible. Keep a safe distance between you and the animal in front of you when walking and setting up. When animals in front of you are placed, move your animal forward and fill in the gap. Pay attention to the rind stewards. Smile but look professional. Hold your show stick in your left hand when you walk and switch it to your right when you set up. Keep the show stick perpendicular to the ground when you walk. Keep your longhorn s head up the entire time. When setting up, stretch the animals head out towards you and twist up to eliminate wrinkles in the neck. Do not chew gum. Silence your phone and hide it in your boot. Your show clip should be on the left side of your belt. If an animal stops in front of you, twist its tail to keep it moving. When your animal walks out of its set, walk it out of line, around in a circle, and return to your original place in line. Memorize the official name, sex, birthdate, weight, dam, sire, and additional information about your animal. The judge will ask you questions and you should answer promptly. Do not block the line of sight between the judge and your animal. Move around your animal appropriately when the judge is trying to view your animal. If your longhorn is misbehaving, snap the halter chain or hit its nose with the show stick gently but also firm.
Index 19 Index Alfalfa, 3 Beet Pulp, 3 box set, 3, 11 dam, 12 Electrolytes, 4 halter breaking, 3 Hay, 3 lead rope, 3 offset, 3, 11 PowerPhat, 4 ring procedure, 11 ring steward, 11 Show clip, 7 show clippers, 7 show stick, 8, 12 showmanship, 11 Showmaster Heifer Developer, 3 sire, 12 Soybean Meal, 3 wash racks, 7