Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Steer show!

I'm back!  Many thanks to Abigail for getting a post up to keep you all updated. :)

So I now have a steer show under my belt and have found it to be a lot of fun and very educational!  I think they already have me hooked. :)  This was also my first show of the spring/summer ( I attended the Green and White hog show earlier this year ) and it gets me all excited for show season!  Anyway, back to the steer show.  I competed in judging and placed 8th.  We judged Angus, Chi, and Shorthorn heifers and Herford Bulls.  We also did two sets of questions.  Our steers arrived around 1:30 and then we spent the afternoon and evening washing, blowing, clipping, feeding, bedding, walking and practicing showmanship.  Sunday morning we were up and back at it.  We had showmanship at 9:00 and I was told we did very well.  I think we kinda surprised 'em!!!  The judge picked out two and then told me that he could only pick two, so I would have been next.  Ah well, at least I was paid a complement of sorts by the judge!  My steer behaved perfectly, so that helped a ton.  Mom, Abigail and Elizabeth came up and saw what was going on for a while.  They had some delays so unfortunately missed showmanship.  They left around 11:00.  I showed in my market class around 3:00 and placed....last.  It was a very competitive class and my steer is still very green.  I knew he wouldn't place well, so I wasn't very surprised or disappointed.  By the time we pulled out of there I was exhausted!  I slept most of the way home so I would have enough energy to do chores. Ahh, it felt good to sleep in my own bed though that night!

Sooooo.......

A few things I learned about showing:
1) If you are ever going to show, learn how to fit your own steers well.  You can spend a lot of money of paying people to fit them for you.
2) You need a generator.  Oh, and they are really loud when you have about 5-10 of them running at once, along with a bunch of blowers.
3) You can make a really bad steer look good if he has hair. :D
4) It gets really competitive at these shows.  And I don't mean just inside the show ring.
5) The youth don't care much about showmanship and worry a ton about market classes. :(
6) Just relax and have fun!  Don't worry so much about how you placed.  Enjoy your time and learn all you can!  Thanks Mr. B for that tip! :)

So, that was my weekend!  How's everyone else faring?  Anyone else have a spring break last week?  How did that go?  Are you all glad/disappointed/okay with going back to school?  It sure makes it quiet and structured around here. :)  Hope all is well with each one of you!

~Bethany~

P.S.  I forgot my camera, but a friend of mine should be getting me pictures.  I'll post them when I get them.

7 comments:

The Myers Family said...

What a great update...and yes...Abigail did a great job keeping us up to speed. :) We will see you Wed. evening right?!?

The Myers'~

Bethany said...

Yep, planning on Wed evening. What time works for you? I was kinda thinking right after I get back from school? So about 3:15ish?

The Myers Family said...

Perfect time...kids should be pulling in then or within 5 minutes of that time. We are planning on you for dinner. So...what would you like??? Since you are the guest you can choose. Do you need any suggestions? Italian...lasagna, spaghetti or pizza? Mexican...nachos, mexican meatloaf (katie's fav.) chicken burritos. American...steak or burgers on the grill. Myers beef or venison (cough..yuck..cough). :) You just let me know and I will whip something up. Just call me tonight and let me know. Thanks B!

Bethany said...

I must have missed your call! I'm sorry! We watched a movie last night called The Flying Tigers with John Wayne!!!! (my fav. actor!!!) Anyway, I don't really have any big preferences.....don't worry about anything fancy just 'cause I'm coming. You know me, I'll eat anything. :) If I had to choose, I'd say Italian or American. :)

Thanks so much! You all are great! <3

~Bethany~

Covnitkepr1 said...

Really nice blog...really nice posts...I'm a follower now.

Dad said...

I need to correct something Bethany said. She won't eat anything, she will eat everything! Oh, the healthy appetite of a farm girl.

Amy said...

I appreciate your PO very much the picture with the article. Continues to refuel!!