Young dairy showpeople got some tips from an expert at the Canadian Dairy Xpo.
Kelly Reynolds, of Mill Wheel Show Clinics, from New York, used calves from the Calves for a Cause sale to show young people calf showing basics.
Reynolds’ tips included:
• Choose a calf appropriate for the size of the showperson and keep in mind that the calf will grow quickly during the show season.
• If the calf is a behaviour problem in the barn already, she won’t likely be a good choice to show.
• When figuring out how your calf should stand, have someone else hold the halter and take a good look yourself, from the viewpoint of a judge.
• Getting a calf to stand properly takes practice. Think about how she’s standing as she’s being walked into place. Using your feet to put the calf’s feet into place is fine, but better is to use hand pressure on the calf’s side to get her to move her feet.
• When lining up your body with the calf, have your toes facing the calf, and have your shoulders line up with the calf’s hips.
• How you and your calf react when in a lineup of calves can make or break your placing, says Reynolds. This is where the judge can directly compare your calf with others. Leave enough space between calves.
• Being in step with your calf, meaning the same side feet of the showperson and the calf move at the same time. It adds an “amazing flow” for a judge, says Reynolds.
Check out all of our coverage of the Canadian Dairy Xpo.
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