Church Farm Visit & Showing Workshop
A large group of members were joined by quite a few new faces at Church Farm, South Littleton for what proved to be a very enjoyable and educational event. It included a range of activities designed to give members an insight into the various stages needed to select, prepare and handle animals for showing.
Pete, Gill and Adam Lancaster had worked hard to organise the day and had it planned down to the last detail, even, it seemed , the weather. They had a variety of their Dexters of all ages on show to act as living visual aids for our experts to refer to, and later on as willing guinea-pigs for the novice show handlers to practice on!
Grand-daughter Judy Ashwin showed her excellent handling skills when she took on a previously unhalter- trained calf and brought it on to such a stage that by the end of July Herd Visit and Showing Workshop
the day it was going round the show ring with the other animals like a seasoned competitor. The earlier stages of this training led to some interesting gymnastics on Judy’s part that wouldn’t have been out of place in a Rodeo. Unfortunately this was not caught on camera!
Pete, Gill and Adam Lancaster had worked hard to organise the day and had it planned down to the last detail, even, it seemed , the weather. They had a variety of their Dexters of all ages on show to act as living visual aids for our experts to refer to, and later on as willing guinea-pigs for the novice show handlers to practice on!
Grand-daughter Judy Ashwin showed her excellent handling skills when she took on a previously unhalter- trained calf and brought it on to such a stage that by the end of July Herd Visit and Showing Workshop
the day it was going round the show ring with the other animals like a seasoned competitor. The earlier stages of this training led to some interesting gymnastics on Judy’s part that wouldn’t have been out of place in a Rodeo. Unfortunately this was not caught on camera!
The day started with a foot-trimming demonstration and talk by Eric Sansome who uses a rollover crush. As you can see in the pictures the cows seemed perfectly relaxed, despite the rather undignified position they found themselves in.
After this Mike Bancroft and Rob Kirk demonstrated the points to look for in a potential show animal, looking at females of different ages, both wet and dry. Members were given the opportunity to judge the animals and give their opinions. We were also able to compare conformation of two lovely bulls, a short Knightsway Bandit and a non-short Borum Applejack, and see the qualities which has made them such good breeding animals.
After this Mike Bancroft and Rob Kirk demonstrated the points to look for in a potential show animal, looking at females of different ages, both wet and dry. Members were given the opportunity to judge the animals and give their opinions. We were also able to compare conformation of two lovely bulls, a short Knightsway Bandit and a non-short Borum Applejack, and see the qualities which has made them such good breeding animals.
Then it was time for members and guests to get their hands dirty and their cows clean! Teams set to with great energy under the watchful eye of more seasoned show competitors to prepare their animals for the grand finale.
At last , what it was all leading to–the showring and the scrutiny of the judges. The animals behaved impeccably and even the most inexperienced handlers loved their moment in the spotlight. Pete Gardner finished his birthday in style by carrying off the red rosette.
Alison Kirk spoke for all of us when she thanked the Lancaster family for hosting and organising such a great day.
At last , what it was all leading to–the showring and the scrutiny of the judges. The animals behaved impeccably and even the most inexperienced handlers loved their moment in the spotlight. Pete Gardner finished his birthday in style by carrying off the red rosette.
Alison Kirk spoke for all of us when she thanked the Lancaster family for hosting and organising such a great day.
