Fastest start to first show

[cebwtx]

What is the shortest time anyone has successfully shown a calf. Successful meaning no run away or unruly behavior from the calf. I am talking not halter broke taken off mom and base start to show. We have a well mannered heifer calf that is about to be weaned. She has been around us and will allow you to pet her but as far as leading, brushing, washing etc. has not been worked with. Just wondering what kind of time frame to plan on before heading to shows.

 

[Rocky Hill Simmental]

In my experience, the nicer calves take just as long as the wilder calves to halter break. I like to work with them at least 3 months before I take them anywhere. Good luck with her though- who knows, she might be really easy to break.  (thumbsup)

 

[twistedhshowstock]

Bought a really laid back Heatwave heifer for a family I help back in the spring...she was haltered the first time in mid - late march, but not worked with a whole lot, we picked her up the 2nd week of April and took her to a jackpot the end of April, she probably could have gone as soon as she got home. They also have an Angus steer thats only been shown once, but they pulled the cows up at the in laws house, weaned him, vaccinated him, cut him, put a halter on him, and hauled him home all in one day...got home and he had the halter off, she stepped up in the trailer and put it back on him, he has led like a puppy dog from day one.
I think it all really depends on the calf and its individual attitude, there are some that regardles of how much you work them, according to some peoples standards they will never be ready to haul to a show. Then there are some that according to even the toughest critics standards are practically ready to haul the first time you put a haulter on them.
The one thing I always tell clients is it is very hard to simulate the show environment at home.  No matter how much you work them at home or for how long or how well behaved they are.  They are all likely to be spooky at that first couple shows.

 

[woltemathangus]

My angus heifer from this spring was dog tame at the first show. i started at the end of janaury and ended up taking her to the jackpot show in mid-march. she was in the ring for the whole hour of showmanship and chewed her cud the whole time. she had no previous experience with a halter before i tied her up in january. i also only worked on her 2 times week.

 

[farmboy]

Weaned Friday
Clipped Saturday
Went to show on Sunday.

He was absolutely fine. Just one of those dead head calves

 

[iowabeef]

It all depends on the calf and how is acts around people.  If you have it ready to go, then it is never too early to show.

 

[Bradenh]

4 days with a spiked show halter

 

[rackranch]

For me its not how soon I can get one broke as much as it is how soon can I get one to look competitive in the show ring.  So its not just leading with a halter but having the show ring look to win that I'm looking for.  In my opinion this will also differ from calf to calf but getting the green knocked off them, getting them eating and converting, getting them use to wash racks, blowers, hair trained and clipped while putting some body and cover on them are all just as important.  I don't think a kid wants to go into the ring with a calf thats not ready anymore than I want to send them in with one thats not ready. I know there are exceptions but most are not ready at weaning...JMO

I'd say at least 60 days on feed..