Photos - National Western Livestock Show

I wanted to start this post by thanking all of you who visit my blog!  I'm amazed I routinely hit 20-30 views a day now!  So thank you for stopping by.

Last year after viewing "I Am Angus" tribute video to the National Western Stock Show I could not wait to arrive!  When I did make it just past the Yak's pens I was stunned as I made a 360 degree circle standing in the same spot of the Yards!  Finally I have made it to DENVER!  I took the whole view in with awe at how great it was to be showing at the GRAND DADDY of all livestock shows, the National Western.  It was the last major I needed, and now one of those individuals who can say I've shown at the Big 4!

This year we didn't show.  But I had fun with my new Nikon D3100 camera!  And then not so much fun with the new camera, new telephoto lense and some real frustration!  Of the 50 or so photos I took I probably have a dozen or so I like.  I definitely have to learn and practice!  An I really should have had my other lense!

My favorite is this photo of the People's Choice Champion with her youth owner.  She went on to be Lot 1 in the sale and sold for $5000.  I saw her earlier that morning in the Pens and was smitten.  It was fun to see her go on to win People's Choice.  Thirty six heifers were in this small arena at one time!  Amazing anyone could choose their top three picks.  Lynn and I helped with the votes so Larry vote on our member number.

In the next photo is Lynn, Doug, and Larry talking cattle.  Stretch big Lynn!..She'll die when I scrap this photo!

Below is Rick Dodd, Brian Walters and Larry.  Rick on left and Larry on the right are current American Lowline Registry Board Members.  Brian is a Past-President of the Board.  Talking cattle or politics....probably both.

The next photo is of the main alley in The Yards.  I took it because it's the behind the scenes crew who keep  us going with all the work they do.  Here's one of the maintenance vehicles.  But I also took it because you can see the catwalk coming from the Sale Arena Building and the Stock Exchange Building in the background!  Denver has kept their history alive!

The next two photos.  Another favorite competition of  mine is to watch the herding competition.  The dogs competing are amazing to watch and the vast majority are Border Collies.  I'm always spellbound by the connection this breed has with their human friends and coworkers!  They will pen cattle with quiet skill and ability second to none!

I had so many other great photos that for whatever reason came out fuzzy!  But next time I'm at the National Western I won't have that problem!  I'll have learned to use my new lense!

I hope you have enjoyed the images and stay tuned to the photos I post of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March!

2009 HLSR Santa Gertrudis Show

First part of our 2009 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is now over. Lynn did a great job caring for the girls all by herself. Angelica's calf went in not halter broke after six weeks of trying my best to get him halter broke. By the time I arrived he was halter broke. Get home and he's determined to revert....silly 'Lil Man.'

We had a good time visiting with friends and talking cattle. Lynn, Natasha and Chase showed the girls as both were in the same class. I'm now off to get on a soap box. I respect judges beyond belief. Their knowledge of the animals they judge is astounding to me. I love showing animals. As a show mom, I now enjoy watching my daughter show more then me being in the ring. I always respect the judges decision if they are consistent in what they like. I don't care where my cattle place as long as they are consistent. We had a very inconsistent judge, Jim Reeves. You watched your first class and you think you knew what he like and the next class was placed all kinds of different. It was tough to even sit in the stands and watch him work. I can live with our girls at the bottom of the class...it's just tough to see a heifer at the bottom of the class when she placed sixth in a class of 52 at Nationals and she's better now. It's tough to have a judge say, 'She looks like a bull." Every other judge she has been in front of has been consistent in saying, 'She was one of the most feminine heifers they have seen in the Santa Gertrudis breed.' You know it could be me getting pretty upset at the judge, but when every exhibitor in the barn is complaining about it....your not so off. So my hope is we don't have to show under this judge again.

The positive comment though was on 'Lil Man.' He said he was the best calf in the class. Actually everyone who watched 'Lil Man' walk took a double take. He was the best Santa Gertrudis calf at the show by a long shot. I didn't see the judge take his double take at him, but Lynn did. That made her feel good. I really need to get a picture of 'Lil Man.' He will get a new name at some point. I'll register the calves in another two to three months and by then Lynn will know what to name him. I think his barn name will stay what it is right now.

I made sure to stop on my way in to take a look at Gunner stalled at Pitchford Genetics. Oh, Lynn was right he didn't look as good as he had when he won his Yearling National Championship, but nice nice bull and I immediately see where Gunner stamped his son. Even Darrell told Lynn how nice he was and make sure to feed him well. Darrell isn't one to give out a compliments on a routine basis. That compliment alone made Lynn feel really good.

I'm looking forward to this weekend with the Lowlines.

Kim