Competitors from 2 to 18 demonstrate their skills in Beef Showmanship competitions at the Tuscarawas County Fair
by Jennifer Kneuss
September 17, 2012
365
Summary: Young people, all leading animals that far outweighed them into the show ring at the Tuscarawas County Fair, demonstrated their finest showmanship skills in handling their beef cattle during the Beef Showmanship and Kiddie Showmanship competitions at the fair on opening day.
Diminutive Alexis Shaw entered the ring, leading a 1200 pound plus steer that easily outweighed her by at least 1100 pounds. The animal was feeling a little frisky in the autumn air and kicked up his heels, taking his owner with him. But Shaw, who was competing in the showmanship part of beef competition at the Tuscarawas County Fair, determinedly set her jaw and pulled the mammoth creature back into line. Judge Regan Bowman of Greenville, OH was impressed by her spunk, and rewarded the young lady with a return trip to the ring for the final heat of her class. Although Shaw, of the Buckhorn Tribe 4-H club, didnt place, she definitely earned the respect of the audience with her tenacity.
Shaw was one of dozens of Junior Fair exhibitors who competed in Beginner, Junior, Intermediate and Senior showmanship classes at the fair on September 18. Shaw, a second year 4-H member, explained that she worked with her steer, which she calls Will, at least two hours every day.
Tuscarawas County Beef Queen Kameron Wise, who was handing out ribbons during the Beef Showmanship competition, explained what the judge was looking for as he moved among the exhibitors and their animals.
He is looking for a kid who can move around the ring quickly with their animal, and who can quickly answer questions about their project animal, Wise stated. He is also looking for someone who is smooth on the halter. Showmanship is not necessarily about the quality or characteristics of the animal, but rather how well the exhibitor can present their project.
Brock Zwick and Landon Helmke were in tight competition for the top two slots in the intermediate competition. The judge took his time in putting the young men through their paces, but in the end, chose Zwick as the intermediate winner.
You two boys both did a fine job, noted Bowman.
Zwick grinned as he clutched his blue ribbon and led his steer, Sy, from the ring.
This is only my second year with a beef animal, explained Zwick, noting that he won beginner showmanship in 2011. I spend a lot of time practicing with him at home. Every day Im out in the barn at 5 AM, rinsing him off and then blow drying him. After I get home from school around 3 PM, I work with him until around 6, then feed him and rinse and blow dry his hair again. The point is to get the hair to grow well. You want your steer to look thicker, and the hair helps substitute for what might not be there in meat.
Youre looking for a square shape, so you want him to look square overall – rear, tail, legs, and belly, so you fit him for that, he continued. I got him last November, and since then I have worked with him every day, intensifying in the past four months to get ready for the fair. I already have my 2013 steer at home, ready to start working with him, so there wont be much of a break after this one sells Thursday night at the sale.
In the end, Wise won overall supreme showmanship, and then youngsters still too young for 4-H were able to enter the ring and practice their own showmanship skills for the future. Many were assisted by older family members, but several bold exhibitors showed their cattle alone. Eight year old McKalynne Helmke, Landons sister, took home the blue.
Im excited to show in 4-H next year! exclaimed the young lady. Her older brother had better watch out.
