If a player on a basketball court takes two steps while holding the ball, it’s a traveling call. If someone swings at three pitches and misses, it’s an out. If a lineman holds the jersey of a running back, it’s a holding penalty. These are the rules of basketball, baseball and football that apply to all players, from 5-year-old to professional. There is a reason for each of these rules – and that’s why, if a player breaks the rule, they are penalized. In 2011, when the National Purebred Dairy Cattle Association (PDCA) decided to review and revise the showmanship rules, their goal was to develop guidelines that served a purpose in making an animal look its best at the hand of a trained showman. Each guideline serves a purpose.
Why do we hold the halter in one hand? The right hand should be used to touch down a top, flatten out the rump, to touch the tailhead down or to apply pressure to the shoulder to get feet set correctly. Rather than switching the halter from hand to hand, all showmen should learn to show with the halter all in one hand.
Why do we walk forward into the ring at an efficient pace? The judge’s job is to compare the first animal in the ring with the last animal in. If cattle move into the ring efficiently (slightly faster than a close inspection walk), the judge can begin to compare one to the other right away. The exhibitor walks forward so that the movement is at ease and looks natural.
Why do we turn to face our animal and walk backward once the class is completely in the ring? Once every animal is in the ring, this is when the close inspection evaluation should begin. Animals need to look their best, and they do that when a leadsperson has complete control, facing their animal, toe to toe. Exhibitors should not walk sideways crossing their feet nor continue to walk forward. A practiced walk-in synchronization with your heifer will always catch the judge’s eye.
Why do we walk quickly to the line? Once a judge has made an initial decision and begins to pull animals to the line, an exhibitor should not waste time getting to their spot. Walking too slow will be an invitation for another exhibitor to slip into your spot. While keeping your left hand in the halter, turn and walk efficiently to the line and get your heifer set up, back legs first, to look her best.
Why do we set our animal’s rear legs up first and with the leg closest the judge back? Solidly placed back feet, with the leg closest to the judge back, will make your animal appear balanced, good-legged and long. When setting up, always set up the back legs first. There is no point getting front feet set squarely if the back legs aren’t correct – the front feet will move when you place the back feet where they need to be, so start with the back feet. You may use pressure on the shoulder to get feet placed, especially front feet. You may also use your feet to move front feet only but always do it with an easy, natural movement.
Why do we turn to look at the judge when they are in front? When the judge approaches the front of the animal, they are looking to evaluate the strength of front end and straightness of the front legs. An exhibitor should keep the left hand in the halter and turn to present that front end to the judge. This should be done with a natural, slightly intense pose to convey a winning attitude.
Remember:
Exhibitors, these are just a few of the rules and guidelines of great showmanship. For more information, go to the PDCA website to learn the showmanship scorecard and follow the official guidelines on the website. You’ll work your way to the top of the class by learning these rules. Ultimately, your heifer should also look better in type classes as well.
Judges, your job in a showmanship class – no matter the level – is to know the rules of the game. There is no such thing as old rules and new rules – if you have agreed to judge showmanship, you’ve agreed to follow the rules of the game that were updated in 2011 and 2016. Just as a referee must follow the rules of a sporting event, you have made the commitment to follow the rules – they were developed to make animal and showman look their best.
