...glitter...: July 2011

All summer I have been working at the Standridge’s helping there kids get ready for the Simmental Junior Nationals. This past week we were in Sedalia, Missouri for the big show. We had worked so hard for this week, and then it seems, as if in the blink of an eye, it was all over; but it was sure a blast. I was privileged to be able to show my Simmental heifer, as well. This was my first-ever Junior Nationals, and there were many new and fun experiences.

Everyone had to compete in at least four out of five contests. The first contest I did was a skill-a-thon. This contest consisted of four different stations: one was identifying feeds, another was identifying diseases, the third one was structure and anatomy, and the last one was questions about the Simmental breed and association. The second contest in which I competed was a Sales Talk. With this event, I had to try and sell my heifer to two people and tell them why my heifer was the best one to buy. Livestock judging was the third contest. We had six different classes to place and we were required to give two sets of oral reasons. I am not a fan of giving reasons, so I wasn’t too excited about this one. The last contest I had was a Cattleman’s Quiz. It was a 50 question quiz with various questions about cattle.

My dream has always been to show cattle at a national show, so I wasn’t too worried about how I did in the contests because I was just there to show cattle! Showmanship didn’t go so well for me; my heifer came into heat that day, so her standing tolerance was little to none. I stood third in class with my Fall September heifer. I sure wish I could have done better, but the experience that I had this past week will be an unforgettable one. My dad knew my dreams of showing at the national level and he did whatever he could to make sure my dream came true! I can’t thank him enough for all his support, help, and drive he has given me over the years!