Early mornings. Late nights. Long weekends. Projects that last for months. Dirty clothes stained with hard work and determination. Livestock shows in rural America, where kids come to compete and show off their projects. Maybe … just maybe, you’ll receive a call back or win a class.
Shake that judge’s hand and head to the winner’s circle with pride and a smile. Take a picture with your animal in front of a banner. Trailer home. Tuck your animal safely back into its home and your farmer into your bed, too. Close your eyes, and you’ll both be up to feed again at 6 a.m.
Quietly, in the background of this life, lives a show mom or dad. You know how to spot them at any youth livestock show. They are the ones driving the trailers, holding the water sprayers, setting up camp so there is a cool place to sit and relax while the kid settles in for a full weekend show. It’s usually a family affair…