Today, as I was catching up on my friend Lindsay Bowman's blog and then got a phone call from my good buddy Kevin Mears I realized that it had been awhile since I had got on here and just rambled. These two along with Rachel Cutrer are part of the reason that we decided to add some personal stuff to this blog, I thought it was a bit coincidental that in the last 24 hours, I had received a Facebook message from Rachel, read Lindsay's blog and got a phone call from Kevin....I figured it was Gods way of telling me that I need to recap Hoosier Beef Congress.
For those that have never been to the Hoosier Beef Congress, it is quite the experience. There is approximately 1000-1200 head of cattle there, breed sales, junior shows and showmanship competitions, judging, photography contests, etc. All of this takes place in the matter of 4 days. It is busy, but it is a pretty cool deal. In the past, I had always dreaded Hoosier Beef Congress. Mostly because it meant trying to get 8-12 head clipped for a show by myself, while trying to get all the other work around the farm done as well. And then getting to the show and trying to get all of these cattle fit with a 3 person crew. It was just to much. This year was different. I actually enjoyed the HBC. Why? Because we only had 4 head there and it was Kendall's first cattle show as a "big boy". Now, we did not set the world on fire as far as how we placed, yes, I think we got screwed in a couple of classes, but you know what, there is another cattle show this weekend(figure of speech, we are not going). I know there have been some people who have been rather vocal about some of the judges this year, even to go as far as accusations about "hidden agendas" to make sure some people win and others don't. I am not going there, it was there opinion on that day, and there is a lot of cow showing left to do this year. Right now, my main focus is getting him in the ring and getting him experiance. I said on here one other time, the boy has more God given talent for showing livestock(cattle in particular) than most 8 yr olds I have ever seen, now, we just have to keep building confidence. I can't wait until some showmanship judge starts asking him questions, and he comes back and tells them the avg. gestation length of a cow, or the difference between a cow and a heifer, bull or steer, etc. He is ready. Some other things I learned from HBC:
- Bryan Kelly still knows how to get me fired up, and at the same time can keep me calm
- Puppies make kids happy
- Carlyn Blue is Kendall's "unofficial" girlfriend
- Don't ever count on the announcer to call your showmanship class, you might miss it
- I like the new lay out with the show rings in the Expo Hall
- Don't give your cow Draxxin, Banamine, Probios, and Fastrack all in the same week...it's ugly.
- Don't give your cow Zupervo the right before you leave for the show...you will possibly wake up with a bowling ball in it's brisket.
- My wife can flat cook anything in a crock pot!!!
- If you have a problem with someone/something, confront it directly and get it out in the open. Stop the small talk and glares as you walk by each others stalls( if you are reading this, you know who you are)
- The purebred heifer check in lines need a little improving before next year.
- The majority of people are still willing to spend money on an heifer to win a banner, even though they have no idea how she can improve their herd once she is done showing.
- Nathan Apple has one thing on his mind at the cow show...and it ain't cattle.
- I am starting to take a liking to these Herefords.
- Luke Bowman is in fact as smart as he looks.
- Kevin Heath and I view the club calf business the same way
- Don Washburn is still the greatest ring help for young kids
- I love listening to Mike Rist talk about old time steer jock days
- Shane Blue....that's all I can say
- Brandon Jones still does the best "man tail" I have seen.
- Listening to Todd Caldwell reminisce about his glory days of roller skating is hilarious
- Clark Chamberlain may in fact be one of the funniest people I have ever met.
- YOU WILL GET THE HBC CRUD, IT IS JUST A MATTER OF WHEN
Thanks to everyone that helped us over the weekend.Nathan, Bryan, Pat, P Shuter, Neal, Cody, Ryan T. Steph and Bailey. If I left someone off, I am sorry. Beth and I are extremely grateful.
Dave
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