The Stock Show “Prize” We Need to Talk More About
“Did you win that belt buckle?” the young cashier asked as we stood in the checkout line at Walgreens.
I thought, “Oh dear, here we go.” We were tired, my daughter wasn’t feeling great and we needed to hurry back to the show.
My daughter proceeded to tell the cashier about how she won the buckle showing pigs, which understandably led to more questions. She explained what pig showing was all about and patiently answered the cashier’s barrage of questions. At the end of their conversation, the cashier asked her how old she was and about fell over when my daughter said, “15.”
The cashier remarked, “I can’t believe you are only 15. You carry yourself with such confidence, like you are so much older than me and I’m 17.”
Just a comment in passing from one teen to another. A moment that was over in the blink of an eye. But a moment I can’t erase from my mind for some reason.
As I thought about that moment and where confidence originates, I couldn’t help but think how so much of her confidence was established at livestock shows.
Stock show kids are just a little different. They are driven by a purpose greater than themselves – their animals. If they don’t step up to the plate to care for their animals, the result won’t be good. I think that’s why stock show kids learn to drive a little harder, push themselves a little further and in the process, gain a confidence I can only attribute to showing livestock.
Here are five reasons why I believe livestock shows help young people develop confidence.
1. You develop courage when you enter the ring.
I’ll never forget the look on my 7-year-old daughter’s face as she navigated her way to the show ring in Indianapolis during The Exposition. It didn’t even dawn on me until she was in the holding pen – she was scared. Admittedly, it was a crowded barn and she’s not very big, so I’m guessing everything looks more intimidating when you are that size. But still, it’s one thing to practice walking your pig in your backyard and it’s something totally different to walk into the show ring to be evaluated. It takes courage. Every time she walks her pig to the ring, drives her pig to the judge and turns her focus to showing the judge her pig’s best views while shutting out the noise of the spectators and crowd, she grows exponentially.
2. You learn believing in yourself matters.
If you don’t believe in your animal, the judge won’t either. Showing livestock requires faith and conviction in what you bring to the ring. Young showmen learn quickly that part of what sets them apart from the crowd is an ability to be laser-focused on their animal, the judge and everything around them at all times. With time, this translates into a belief in yourself and an awareness in the role you play in getting that animal shown well. When you have confidence in your animal and yourself, it pays off in the show ring.
3. You gain knowledge that empowers.
I can’t put a price tag on the value of the contests, such as skillathons, judging contests and speech contests, youth stock shows offer outside of the show ring. Whether you’re an 8-year-old kid practicing a speech, a 17-year-old studying for the senior skillathon or a 13-year-old working on a set of oral reasons for the judging contest, you’re learning. That process results in confidence of the subject matter, sureness in your ability to learn and the satisfaction of setting goals and working to achieve them. Our kids know so much more about the livestock industry than we ever did because of the contests they participate in that challenge them to stretch beyond their comfort zone.
4. You realize the work is more satisfying than the win.
Everyone likes to win. But let’s be honest, wins fade. The work that went into the win doesn’t. When I think about all the hours our kids spend in the barn and the sacrifices they make to take care of their animals, it’s humbling. It’s shaping and molding them in ways I can’t “orchestrate” as their mother – they learn to find joy in the process or it’s not worth it. I truly believe just as much work and time goes into getting fourth place as it does to bring home the champion banner. Ask our kids after they get beat if they want to show again next weekend or next year ... the answer will be yes because they know wins come and go. You can’t place your worth on a win (or a loss).
5. You learn you’re not alone.
Here’s the part where I get a little emotional. This world can be a hard place sometimes. I can’t tell you how many people have told me they found their “family” at a stock show. They found people who share a similar passion, belief and purpose. If you win a lot, you realize others do, too. If you find yourself toward the bottom of the class often, you also see others right there with you. The friendships and bonds developed between people at stock shows are one of a kind for some reason. When you spend time with people energized by the same things you are and who have a deep appreciation for hard work, well, it seems to be a formula for a lasting friendship. Our children have met some of the most amazing young people at shows – from all over the country. And that might be the best gift showing livestock provides.
I’m not sure we had enough time to explain to that young cashier just where that confidence came from. But as I’ve reflected on that conversation, I’ve realized when you combine courage, conviction, knowledge and hard work with people who care about you, you can’t help but walk around with your head held a little higher.
And the best part? It’s not a self-absorbed confidence that you think you are better than other people. It’s a confidence that you have purpose. And let’s be honest, we could all use a little of that.
More from Jennifer Shike:
Grandma’s Still Got It: 92-Year-Old Pig Showman Gets Back in the Ring
Nashville Singer and Pig Farmer Release Anthem for Ag
Photos by Legacy Livestock Imaging, Taylor Leach, Emily Webel and Jennifer Shike.
