CHAMPION ADVICE: HOW TO PREPARE A WINNER

PREPARATION of an animal for showing usually starts up to a year ahead for the serious exhibitor says Michael Flanagan. He has been parading winners around the enclosures for more than a half century and he has shared some of the secrets of his success with

÷ Start the previous Autumn by picking out a few of the calves with potential and nourish them along with special treatment without overdoing it. Get them used to being handled as well as getting them used to being carried in the trailer. ÷Well ahead of the show season start to wash and groom them and begin to train them to be led and to stand correctly. ÷It is important to get them used to crowds and noise. I’d have a radio playing in the background and let them get used to the noises. ÷Bring them out in a trailer and park it at a mart where they can get used to noises and trucks and people being around them and walking and talking to get them familiar with the atmosphere on show day. ÷Three days before the show bring them in off the grass so that they an get dried up manure. Washed, blow dried, and clip them to get ready for the show. ÷On show morning they should not be given water because they could bloat with the travel- ling. Feed some hay. No meal that day because you don’t want the manure to go soft again. ÷Map out the route for the venue if you don’t know where you are going. Allow yourself at least half hour to spare in case there is any delay on the way and plan to get to the show grounds in good time. ÷Make sure all the documents are in order, movement certificate and identification card. The animal should have been entered for the show well before the closing date set by the show society. ÷On show day you arrive and hope that yours is the best there. More often you will find that you think that your own looks great at home until you see what they are up against at the show. ÷Nine times out of 10 you will know the judge if you are showing at different venues. The judges now are usually very good and know exactly what they are looking for in an animal. Without a doubt the calibre of judge has improved a lot. ÷You won’t always agree with the judges selection. You may feel that the wrong animal was picked, but take it on the chin. There is nothing to be gained by giving out to the judge. They probably saw the animals from a different perspective. Ever breeder believes that they have the best and they can’t all be the winner on the day.