EasternIowaFarmer_Fall2023

BEYOND THE SHOW
we get to walk around the fairgrounds
and see a lot of the behind-the-scenes
activities going on as everyone prepares
for fairgoers to arrive. A couple
of my favorites include slipping into
the Agricultural Building to watch
the finishing touches get added to the
famous sculpted butter cow, watching
the pumpkins weighing hundreds of
pounds be delivered, and observing
other livestock roll in and set up.
These days are when my siblings and
I plan when would be the best time to
sneak away and get ourselves a cold
and creamy cup of cookie-dough ice
cream, which is the best after a long hot
week in the barn and show ring.
The days leading up to show day fly
by with the early mornings on the wash
rack and being attentive to the show
string’s needs around the clock; but the
minute the first call to the show barn
is announced, I’m flushed with excitement
and ready for the trip around the
ring.
Showing at the Iowa State Fair
has allowed me to see firsthand what
hard-working people of all generations
who are passionate about what they do
look like. It has also helped me build
my confidence in and outside of the
show ring.
From a young age, I have enjoyed
being in the stands watching how people
show, observing their style, and the
strategies they use. I’ve taken mental
notes on everything from how the
lead men walk, whether it is walking
forwards or backward, to how often
they look back and forth between their
animal and the judge while in the ring.
Even back in the barn, I’ve learned how
to clip dairy cattle, set top lines, and the
techniques that many competitive show
strings use to take care of their animals
and set them apart.
Most importantly, everyone is
willing to take the time to explain
what they’re doing and share tips and
tricks with the younger generation of
showmen. This grows our skill set and
has helped me build connections that I
can carry with me throughout my life
with people who care about what they
do and about their animals. The show
stock industry as a whole has taught
me about sportsmanship and how to
celebrate the success of others even if it
did not personally go your way.
Show day is always a great way to
see the work we’ve put into the cattle
come together to help us place where
we want to be in class. I love being
able to walk into the show ring proud
of what my heifer looks like and the
work that it took to bring her up to this
level of competition. I am grateful for
the lessons I have learned from showing
at the Iowa State Fair, and I know
I will use those lessons long after we
load up the trailer and head east toward
home. n
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