Lauren Blair turned to a coach when she needed help with her animals at the recent Regina Spring Steer and Heifer Show.
An educational program launched at the 30th annual show saw five coaches available in the barns to help 4-H members as they prepared for their show classes.
Blair, 14, is a member of Valley View 4-H Club and has been showing cattle for five years. Her family raises cattle near McLean, Sask.
“It was really neat to have some more professional help and get a second opinion,” she said.
Read Also
Alberta crop diversification centres receive funding
$5.2 million of provincial funding pumped into crop diversity research centres
“It was easier to listen to someone other than your parents.”
Coach Krista Erixon of Clavet, Sask., agreed the young showmen were more apt to listen to the coaches, who were all younger fitters, judges and herdsmen.
“I think it’s awesome,” she said of the program. “This is how kids learn. They’re watching you and then we’re putting the clippers in their hands.”
The coaches weren’t assigned to any particular participants but wore jackets identifying themselves and mingled among members so everyone had a chance to ask questions about grooming and showmanship.
Blair said she appreciated how calm the coaches were and how they explained what to do.
“They’re very thankful for the help they’ve gotten and when the kids aren’t as stressed, that makes the day easier,” Erixon added.
She said she came up through 4-H, and it was nice to be able to give back in this way.
Reed Andrew, who chairs the show committee, said the feedback from the program was positive.
“The kids liked the availability of the coaches and asking questions as they were (grooming),” he said. “The intent is the kids learn how to do the work. They learn how to take over.”
About 120 4-H members attended the show with 160 cattle this year.
Cody-Ray Lafrentz of Bienfait, Sask., showed the grand champion heifer, a Simmental, Wheatland Lady 2104Z. The reserve was a commercial heifer, NLC Clover, exhibited by Hadley Schmidt of Drake, Sask.
Chance Jackson of Sedley, Sask., showed Bob, the grand champion steer, while Matt Criddle of Balgonie, Sask., showed the reserve, a steer named Tom.
