Preparing animals for shows is not easy and takes a lot of time and labour. At this stage in the year, breeders should have the cattle and sheep they intend bringing to shows earmarked. It is important this is done as early as possible, bringing me to the first step in the showing process.
Selection
It is important to assess the animal based on quality, functionality, age and temperament, primarily. An animal should be functionally correct and show no abnormalities or defects. Preparing an animal with a visual defect or flaw is a waste of time and money. Most importantly, the animal should be quiet and easy to handle, remember, shows are busy places and not for animals which are hard to handle.
Feeding
Once you are happy the animal is functionally correct, with no defects, it is important the selected animals are dosed properly and well cared for in the weeks and months leading up to show day. Excellent feeding management is essential for growth, weight gain and hair, however, it is also important animals are not pushed with feed.
Finding the balance between show-fit and factory-fit animals is crucial for their longevity. Animals which are over-fed can develop various problems, such as infertility, feet problems and poor milk production.
Katie Lordan, Drimoleague, Co Cork grooming her animal during the FBD All-Ireland Young Stockperson final at Tullow show in 2024. \ Donal O' Leary
The rate of feed will depend on the breed, weight and age of the animal. Cattle should not be fed ad-lib. Ideally, animals should be fed twice daily, with access to clean drinking water at all times. The rate of feeding should be built up slowly.
A good indication of what an animal can eat can be seen by observing its manure. If it starts to become runny, they are eating too much. The manure should be softish, not hard or runny.
Training
Training of animals for shows should commence well in advance of show day. Ideally, animals should be tied up with a secure halter as young as possible. They should be tied up for at least two to three hours at a time, first in a secure crush.
When they have settled with the halter, they should tied outside the crush for two to three hours a day.
Repeat this until the animal is settled and comfortable to lie down with the halter. Once the animal is settled on the halter it should be walked within a secure yard. Ideally, heifers and young bulls should have a snaffle and lead rope in their nose. Older bulls should have a ring and lead rope in their nose.
Music playing in the background also helps to settle animals and prepare them for show day.
Grooming
It is only natural for cattle to lose their winter coat in spring. Regaining a nice coat of hair for summer shows is not easy and takes time.
Some animals will naturally have better hair than others. In order to achieve a nice coat of hair for show day, animals should be washed and combed regularly to maintain and generate hair growth. As the saying goes – a hand full of hair is worth a tonne of flesh.
Cian Connolly from Co Leitrim puts the final touches on his Simmental bull calf at the Virginia Agricultural show in Co Cavan. \ Philip Doyle
If animals are scratching and losing hair, it’s likely they have mange or lice, which is more common in winter and spring. This should be treated as soon as possible. No matter what anyone says, maintaining a nice coat of hair for show day is crucial.
Clipping
Once the animal has a nice coat of hair, it should be clipped one to two weeks in advance of the show. Before starting to clip your animal, it is important you visualise what you want them to look like.
The main objectives are to level the top line, level the bottom line, make the animal look longer by clipping into its neck, tidy its tail and tail head, and, for some breeds, clip the head. Remember, not every animal is the same, so you have to adjust to suit the animal and its breed.
Show day essentials
The following items are essential for show day: white coat, clean halter, snaffle and lead rope, combs\brushes, soap/sprays/shine, show stick, blow dryer and possibly clippers. Most of all, don’t forget your paperwork. It is also important to have some of the animal’s feed with you. This can help settle them on the morning of the show.
Organisation
Show day can be busy, so it’s important to allow enough time to prepare your animal before judging starts and be ready when your class is called. It is imperative to have both yourself and your animal turned out to a high standard, this is why time management and organisation are key.
Presentation
Ensure your animal is washed, clean and dry. Soaps work best on short-haired animals, while sprays work best on long-haired animals. Shaving foam is another favourite for longer-haired animals. A final touch up of shine always helps the animal to stand out. It is also important that your own white coat is clean and tidy.
Showring etiquette
When you’re in the ring always be polite and respectful to the judge, stewards and the other competitors. Be patient with your own animal, especially if it’s their first time out.
Always keep an eye on the judge and don’t relax after he/she has looked at your animal, as they could still be looking at your animal when they are further down the line.
Be alert to what the judge may want you to do, for example, turn your animal around, walk them, etc.
Finally, take the opportunity to learn as much as possible from your competitors. Remember, you learn more from losing than winning.
A show box in use at Tullamore Show in 2025. Donal O' Leary
Chloe Hegarty, Bandon, Co Cork showing her animal at the FBD All-Ireland Young Stockperson final at Tullow show in 2024. \ Donal O' Leary
Preparing animals for shows is not easy and takes a lot of time and labour. At this stage in the year, breeders should have the cattle and sheep they intend bringing to shows earmarked. It is important this is done as early as possible, bringing me to the first step in the showing process.
Selection
It is important to assess the animal based on quality, functionality, age and temperament, primarily. An animal should be functionally correct and show no abnormalities or defects. Preparing an animal with a visual defect or flaw is a waste of time and money. Most importantly, the animal should be quiet and easy to handle, remember, shows are busy places and not for animals which are hard to handle.
Feeding
Once you are happy the animal is functionally correct, with no defects, it is important the selected animals are dosed properly and well cared for in the weeks and months leading up to show day. Excellent feeding management is essential for growth, weight gain and hair, however, it is also important animals are not pushed with feed.
Finding the balance between show-fit and factory-fit animals is crucial for their longevity. Animals which are over-fed can develop various problems, such as infertility, feet problems and poor milk production.
Katie Lordan, Drimoleague, Co Cork grooming her animal during the FBD All-Ireland Young Stockperson final at Tullow show in 2024. \ Donal O' Leary
The rate of feed will depend on the breed, weight and age of the animal. Cattle should not be fed ad-lib. Ideally, animals should be fed twice daily, with access to clean drinking water at all times. The rate of feeding should be built up slowly.
A good indication of what an animal can eat can be seen by observing its manure. If it starts to become runny, they are eating too much. The manure should be softish, not hard or runny.
Training
Training of animals for shows should commence well in advance of show day. Ideally, animals should be tied up with a secure halter as young as possible. They should be tied up for at least two to three hours at a time, first in a secure crush.
When they have settled with the halter, they should tied outside the crush for two to three hours a day.
Repeat this until the animal is settled and comfortable to lie down with the halter. Once the animal is settled on the halter it should be walked within a secure yard. Ideally, heifers and young bulls should have a snaffle and lead rope in their nose. Older bulls should have a ring and lead rope in their nose.
Music playing in the background also helps to settle animals and prepare them for show day.
Grooming
It is only natural for cattle to lose their winter coat in spring. Regaining a nice coat of hair for summer shows is not easy and takes time.
Some animals will naturally have better hair than others. In order to achieve a nice coat of hair for show day, animals should be washed and combed regularly to maintain and generate hair growth. As the saying goes – a hand full of hair is worth a tonne of flesh.
Cian Connolly from Co Leitrim puts the final touches on his Simmental bull calf at the Virginia Agricultural show in Co Cavan. \ Philip Doyle
If animals are scratching and losing hair, it’s likely they have mange or lice, which is more common in winter and spring. This should be treated as soon as possible. No matter what anyone says, maintaining a nice coat of hair for show day is crucial.
Clipping
Once the animal has a nice coat of hair, it should be clipped one to two weeks in advance of the show. Before starting to clip your animal, it is important you visualise what you want them to look like.
The main objectives are to level the top line, level the bottom line, make the animal look longer by clipping into its neck, tidy its tail and tail head, and, for some breeds, clip the head. Remember, not every animal is the same, so you have to adjust to suit the animal and its breed.
Show day essentials
The following items are essential for show day: white coat, clean halter, snaffle and lead rope, combs\brushes, soap/sprays/shine, show stick, blow dryer and possibly clippers. Most of all, don’t forget your paperwork. It is also important to have some of the animal’s feed with you. This can help settle them on the morning of the show.
Organisation
Show day can be busy, so it’s important to allow enough time to prepare your animal before judging starts and be ready when your class is called. It is imperative to have both yourself and your animal turned out to a high standard, this is why time management and organisation are key.
Presentation
Ensure your animal is washed, clean and dry. Soaps work best on short-haired animals, while sprays work best on long-haired animals. Shaving foam is another favourite for longer-haired animals. A final touch up of shine always helps the animal to stand out. It is also important that your own white coat is clean and tidy.
Showring etiquette
When you’re in the ring always be polite and respectful to the judge, stewards and the other competitors. Be patient with your own animal, especially if it’s their first time out.
Always keep an eye on the judge and don’t relax after he/she has looked at your animal, as they could still be looking at your animal when they are further down the line.
Be alert to what the judge may want you to do, for example, turn your animal around, walk them, etc.
Finally, take the opportunity to learn as much as possible from your competitors. Remember, you learn more from losing than winning.
A show box in use at Tullamore Show in 2025. Donal O' Leary
Chloe Hegarty, Bandon, Co Cork showing her animal at the FBD All-Ireland Young Stockperson final at Tullow show in 2024. \ Donal O' Leary
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