New Showman ~ It's Official

With our kids growing up on the farm, they are exposed daily, to the animals.  We've never pushed them into showing an animal at the fair.  By giving them guidance and showing them the options available to them, we hoped they would be interested in the animals when the time came.

Bryce is eight years old.  Up until last year I thought he would be my one child who wouldn't want to have anything to do with showing calves and cows in our county fairs.  Year after year, he's watched his older cousins and friends care for their animals and show them at the fairs every summer.  I believe this has really inspired him to want his own calf and show her in the fair.

A year ago, he asked us if he could have his own calf to show for the upcoming fairs and shows.

Enter:  Jinx.  Born on January 1st, 2013.  Bryce's first show calf.

Our local fairs begin in June.  As a precursor to the fairs, our local Redwood Empire Holstein Association puts on a "Black and White Show & Sale" every spring.....the perfect event to give the kids a little practice showing their animals before the fairs begin.

Just before it was show time, Bryce says to me, 

"Mom, my stomach feels weird.  I don't want to show Jinx."

Bryce, that's a normal feeling.  Those are called jitters and they will disappear as soon as you step into that show ring.  You'll be fine and you'll have fun.

At the very last minute, sister Paige, borrowed her friend, Gracie's Jersey calf, Rusty, to show in the ring with Bryce in the "PeeWee" division.....8 and unders.....there were only two of them in the ring.

In the 'Showmanship Class', it's more about how the showman handles his/her calf and whether he pays attention to the judge in the ring at all times.

Both kids did really well.  Jitters gone for Bryce and I don't think Paige ever had them.

Bryce did so well, he was invited back to compete in Showmanship Class with the Juniors.....12 years old and under.  There were seven in all.

Bryce did his best to keep his eye on the judge, Tony Demellow.

Which paid off.  He came in third.

He's HOOKED!

No turning back now.

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Day to Day Happenings

My day began on Tuesday getting myself and Bryce ready for kindergarten. Breakfast was a 100% whole wheat english muffin, topped with a sliced hard boiled egg made with my EggGenie.....LOVE the EggGenie! The easiest way to boil eggs, just add water, seven eggs at one time, plug in and let it do it's thing. On Tuesdays, I volunteer at the one room school house Bryce attends and puppy Chloe comes as well. Mrs. Doyle, the teacher/principal, owns a relative of Chloe.....Cooper, a Maltese / Shi Tzu mix just like Chloe and Tuesday mornings they have a standing playdate appointment at school. A fun time for all! Photo below ~ Chloe and Cooper atop Mrs. Doyle's desk ~ well behaved students! In the evening, our family attended the Redwood Empire Dairy Holstein Association's annual dinner. A short meeting is conducted during dinner, where the attendees are informed of any upcoming dairy shows, heifer sales, meetings, etc. The junior division, California Junior Holstein are present as well. Awards and scholarships are presented to the winners. The juniors announce up-coming competitions that they will participate in such as, Dairy Jeopardy, Dairy Bowl, and Public Speaking to name a few. The dinner was held at the Elk's Lodge in Petaluma. It's a catered event which consisted of tri-tip, chicken marsala, fresh roasted vegetables, ceaser salad and a creamy penne dish. Photo below: the future of the dairy industry...hopefully, if our local dairies are still around in 10 or 15 years. Moosemilk ~ a loaded drink ~ not for the kiddies 1 oz. white rum 1 oz. dark rum 1 oz. Kahlua coffee liquer 2 scoops vanilla ice cream 2 fresh strawberries Mix all together in a blender and enjoy! (this can also be made in big batches and served punch bowl style) Pin It