Branson Smith - Short Story - Pendleton County
Item
Title
Branson Smith - Short Story - Pendleton County
Description
My Show Calf
Abstract
To begin, I live on our family farm and have always enjoyed working with cattle. I started showing feeder calves in 2021 through 4-H. I am a member of the Upper Tract Producer 4-H Club and one of my projects for 4-H was Bite Into Beef: Market Feeder Calf. One of the calves I chose to show at the Tri-County Fair was a steer, and his name was Reese Cup. My calf came from my Granddad Ours Farm. His color was a mix between white and brown. Reese Cup was a cross breed between a Speckle Park and Charolais. His weight was around 500 lbs.
First, I had to tame him, which took several weeks. We put a breaking halter on him and tied him up. I would brush the calf's hair down and then up to tame him, so he was not afraid of me. I also took a show stick and rubbed his stomach to help tame him. Brushing the hair down and then up helped train the hair to stay up. Once tamed enough, I would lead the calf around the pen to train him to walk when I wanted to walk and to stop when I wanted him to stop. I used a show stick to train Reese Cup how to set up his legs. I would give him a bath to make him clean and to help make his hair grow. About two weeks before the fair his hair was trimmed to help improve his look. Second, show day had arrived. On August 2, 2021, we loaded Reese Cup up into a stock trailer and took him to the Tri-County Fair, without his mommy. Once we arrived at the fair ground we unloaded him from the stock trailer and weighted him. Before I had to go into the show ring I gave him a really good bath and we blow dried his hair. Then I brushed his hair up and made last minute trimming. I sprayed him with show shine and legs with adhesive to keep his hair in place. Now Reese Cup was ready to go into the ring. In the ring, I led the calf into the show ring and set up legs and led it around per the judges' instructions.
Finally, I placed 1st place in my class with Reese Cup. I received a blue first place ribbon. Since I placed, first in my class I had to take him back into the ring to compete for Grand Champion Market Feeder Calf Steer. Much to my surprise, the judge selected Reese Cup to be the Grand Champion. I received a purple Grand Champion Ribbon and a wooden plaque for the I.H. Taylor Memorial Champion Feeder Calf Steer. After all the hard work and long hours of working with Reese Cup to get him ready for the fair, I was proud that I won. To receive the I.H. Taylor Memorial Champion Feeder Calf Steer was so very rewarding. Reese Cup was a fun calf to work with. I learned so much about working and showing feeder calf and found it very enjoyable. I am very excited and looking forward to showing again this year.
First, I had to tame him, which took several weeks. We put a breaking halter on him and tied him up. I would brush the calf's hair down and then up to tame him, so he was not afraid of me. I also took a show stick and rubbed his stomach to help tame him. Brushing the hair down and then up helped train the hair to stay up. Once tamed enough, I would lead the calf around the pen to train him to walk when I wanted to walk and to stop when I wanted him to stop. I used a show stick to train Reese Cup how to set up his legs. I would give him a bath to make him clean and to help make his hair grow. About two weeks before the fair his hair was trimmed to help improve his look. Second, show day had arrived. On August 2, 2021, we loaded Reese Cup up into a stock trailer and took him to the Tri-County Fair, without his mommy. Once we arrived at the fair ground we unloaded him from the stock trailer and weighted him. Before I had to go into the show ring I gave him a really good bath and we blow dried his hair. Then I brushed his hair up and made last minute trimming. I sprayed him with show shine and legs with adhesive to keep his hair in place. Now Reese Cup was ready to go into the ring. In the ring, I led the calf into the show ring and set up legs and led it around per the judges' instructions.
Finally, I placed 1st place in my class with Reese Cup. I received a blue first place ribbon. Since I placed, first in my class I had to take him back into the ring to compete for Grand Champion Market Feeder Calf Steer. Much to my surprise, the judge selected Reese Cup to be the Grand Champion. I received a purple Grand Champion Ribbon and a wooden plaque for the I.H. Taylor Memorial Champion Feeder Calf Steer. After all the hard work and long hours of working with Reese Cup to get him ready for the fair, I was proud that I won. To receive the I.H. Taylor Memorial Champion Feeder Calf Steer was so very rewarding. Reese Cup was a fun calf to work with. I learned so much about working and showing feeder calf and found it very enjoyable. I am very excited and looking forward to showing again this year.
Youth(s) First Name and Initial of Last Name
Branson Smith
Age Division
9
Category
Short Story
County
Pendleton
