Alumni Beef Showmanship at Webster County Fair

Saturday, July 18 will bring the annual 4-H and FFA Alumni Showmanship Event that will cap off the livestock competition at the 2009 Edition of the Webster County 4-H and FFA Fair. The contest would actually be a two part contest. The first flight will be a serious and competitive “Beef Showmanship Contest for 4-H and FFA Alumni”, complete with a traveling trophy and medal going to the Champion. This event will be a free-will donation for those that want to contribute to the judge fees, and of course towards the Webster County Youth Foundation. The second flight will be a “Just for Fun (bribery of the judge allowed, anything goes)”, alumni showmanship contest, similar to what was held in the past. All proceeds from the event will go to the Webster County Youth Foundation. A sign-up sheet will be kept in the 4-H office in the 4-H Exhibit Hall. Sign-up can be done at anytime during the fair right up until show time. It is slated to start at 2:30 p.m. and will be held at the livestock arena at the Webster County Fairgrounds in Bladen, directly following the pre-4-H Rainbow Classic that starts at 12:30 pm. The special guest judge this year is Tim Burke, of Burke Show Cattle of Genoa. Tim is a long time beef producer and is well known for his outstanding club calves and his showmanship skills. Tim is also a fun loving individual who should make this event unique. The alumni show will be held at the livestock arena at the Webster County Fairgrounds in Bladen. Sign-up in the fair 4-H office is requested, but not required. The 4-H Council is hoping to have alumni of all ages try their hand at beef showmanship. The showman may bring their own beef animal, or may borrow one from one of the Webster County beef exhibitors. If an alumnus needs a calf, all they have to do is talk to one of the exhibitors and ask to borrow their calf. The nice thing about the alumni show is that it promotes dialogue with alumni and the current exhibitors who need to be asked by alumni to provide a beef and perhaps the equipment necessary to show the animal. This will be a blow and show contest similar to the beef showmanship that is held during the youth competition. There is no age limit and it is open to all 4-H and FFA Alumni regardless of where they grew up. Here is a chance for past 4-H and FFA exhibitors to dig out the old scotch combs and show-sticks and compete perhaps against the same people they did 5, 10, 20 or perhaps 50 years ago. A note for the young exhibitors ---Wouldn’t it be fun to be on the other side of the fence when your dad or mom or maybe grandparents are in the ring?? Perhaps you can point and whisper instructions to them, just like they do or did to you. Be prepared for an alumnus that may ask to use your steer or heifer. This should prove to be an exciting and fun event.