What to do during showmanship

Showmanship is the only class where the judge is analyzing the person leading the animal (in all other classes, the judge is looking at the characteristics of the animal not the person).  To prepare for showmanship, we begin working with our animals a few months before the show so that they are used to being led on a halter and to give them time to be trained on the proper way to walk.

When I am participating in showmanship, these are the things that I work hard to do:

• Watch the judge
• Keep their feet set correctly (the front feet should always be even and  if you are leading a heifer - the back foot on the side of the judge should always be behind the foot on the far side of the judge so they can see the udder that will eventually develop.  If you are leading a cow - it's the opposite, the back foot on the side of the judge should always be forward so they can see both the fore and rear udder attachments).
• Pinch down their back if it arches upward because you want the animal to have a straight topline
• Make sure their tail is tucked in between their pins at the back of their rump
• Be knowledgeable about your animal and know the following basic information: name, sire, dam, birthday, class that they showed in during the junior show, and if you're showing a cow you need to know when she calved last and when she is due again
• As a showman, I need to keep a balance of being relaxed and having fun while also staying intense and making sure my animal is looking her best at all times
• Never take a dirty animal in the show ring and she must always be clipped and groomed well

Showmanship is really fun and practicing it on my farm with my parents has helped me learn how to make my animals look their best!
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Author Marissa Topp is 9 years old and is in the 4th grade at Northwestern Elementary School.  She plays soccer, basketball and softball.  Marissa is in her 1st year of 4H, participates in dairy judging and also won her showmanship class at this year's Wayne County Fair!  On the farm Marissa feeds water and grain to the baby calves and also feeds water, grain and hay to calves that are older and have already been weaned.