EDMONTON — It was like being called up from the farm team to the professional league.
Cathryn Thompson of Calahoo, Alta., Denton Tatarin of Hairy Hill, Alta., and Alex Shuttleworth of Balzac, Alta., made the leap this year from judging 4-H and breed shows to working the multi-breed show at Farmfair International.
The University of Alberta students all have plenty of judging experience, but it’s the first time they have judged at an event like Farmfair, where their decisions can influence potential cattle sales.
“It’s more high pressure than a 4-H show,” said Shuttleworth.
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“The winner gets to go on to compete for a truck and trailer. It’s great experience, for sure.”
Tatarin and Shuttleworth are members of the University of Alberta judging team and represented Alberta at 4-H judging competitions in Denver. Thompson has judged 4-H and Simmental cattle shows and all were members of local 4-H beef clubs.
Tatarin said being a judge gives him a chance to express his opinion about the best animal.
“I like having my own opinion,” he said. “In showing, you’re always at the mercy of someone’s opinion. Now, I have a chance to be right.”
Shuttleworth said judging gives her an opportunity to look at beef trends and see the best cattle in one venue.
“I like to see what everyone has to bring to the show,” she said.
“You get to pick what is best.”
Thompson said the biggest challenge is judging the different breeds together. The multi-breed show is made up of breeds with too few numbers to hold their own shows at Farmfair.
“It comes down to conformation and correctness. You have to judge them as one breed and treat them as equal.”
Thompson said she would like to judge 4-H or other breed shows as a sideline to her future career in agriculture.
Tatarin said he would like to use this as a stepping stone to judge the Simmental breed shows at Farmfair, or jackpot shows.
