Young Handlers
- Thread starter Wolds Beef
- Start date
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
"It's always lovely to see young handlers out and about with their cattle. Here is Grace Carter, aged 7, who has spent countless hours hand rearing and training her orphan calf Heathlands Damsel. Congratulations on taking second place in the young handlers class at the Rutland County Show Grace."
Wolds Beef
Member
Thanks JP1
M-J-G
Member
We'll have 20+ cattle and 10-15 sheep young handlers at our local show, we try hard to encourage it.
It's a lot of work training all of the calves though.
It's a lot of work training all of the calves though.
Philip Watkins
Member
- Location
- Back in Shropshire
You can't upload video to the forum. You need to put it on youtube (or similar) then post a link here.
Thanks Philip, here's a link to our Facebook page with a few videos!
Our son loves doing young handlers, he's not the most confident of children but put him on the end of a halter and he's like a different child.
Such a great opportunity for them.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1861353964191268&id=1425558691104133
Our son loves doing young handlers, he's not the most confident of children but put him on the end of a halter and he's like a different child.
Such a great opportunity for them.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1861353964191268&id=1425558691104133
Ballygreenan
Member
- Location
- Tyrone NI
Our son (11) took his first dairy heifer to our local show (Clogher Valley show) last year. After many years of begging I finally gave in and said OK, he picked a calf himself, trained it himself, washed it himself. I clipped it and we got a fella we knew, who was a former Holstein Young Breeders co-ordinator in NI to give him a few tips and pointers the day or two before the show, he also clipped the top-line for us.
Sam went out and came 4th in a strong class of about 10 or 12 most of whom were seasoned experts! The judges main reason for 4th over 3rd was that he was using a white cotton halter and mentioned that it must be his first time out. A fancy rosette and £6 prize money made Sam's day, entry fee was £3!
We're going back this year with 2 heifers and our daughter Lily (8). One of the heifers is the same as last year so all the hard work has been done with her. We've got the leather halters (Christmas pressies) The kids spend their spare time leading the new calf, brushing it, washing it, getting it used to activity and noise, which we reckon is 100 times better than being stuck in front of the eejit box.
The big thing is the interest it has allowed Sam to develop in the herd, he has a diagnosis of mild ADHD, but he can focus 100% on the livestock and showing. Both kids are now signed up with HYB and I've got the herd registered, so the calves now have Pedigree certification.
I now wish I'd allowed Sam to start sooner, it's a great thing for youngsters to get involved in.
Sam went out and came 4th in a strong class of about 10 or 12 most of whom were seasoned experts! The judges main reason for 4th over 3rd was that he was using a white cotton halter and mentioned that it must be his first time out. A fancy rosette and £6 prize money made Sam's day, entry fee was £3!
We're going back this year with 2 heifers and our daughter Lily (8). One of the heifers is the same as last year so all the hard work has been done with her. We've got the leather halters (Christmas pressies) The kids spend their spare time leading the new calf, brushing it, washing it, getting it used to activity and noise, which we reckon is 100 times better than being stuck in front of the eejit box.
The big thing is the interest it has allowed Sam to develop in the herd, he has a diagnosis of mild ADHD, but he can focus 100% on the livestock and showing. Both kids are now signed up with HYB and I've got the herd registered, so the calves now have Pedigree certification.
I now wish I'd allowed Sam to start sooner, it's a great thing for youngsters to get involved in.
This year is daughters last year in young handlers as she is 16 come October.
It's one of my years highlights watching her prep and then show. Matters not to me or her if she is placed.
Daft that I just love sitting in the pen with her from early doors waiting to go in the ring. We sit and chat about all sorts of things then have 3 generations of family watching here. Can't beat it.
It's one of my years highlights watching her prep and then show. Matters not to me or her if she is placed.
Daft that I just love sitting in the pen with her from early doors waiting to go in the ring. We sit and chat about all sorts of things then have 3 generations of family watching here. Can't beat it.
Cab-over Pete
Member
- Location
- Kenilworth, Warwickshire
My lad won Young Handlers at The Kenilworth Show last weekend.
Both he and his sister entered, plus a friend each. He knows his stuff and the judge said he spoke confidently and knowledgeably.
He loves his sheep and when I look back over the last few winners it's the kids that are still into the job now. You can't just amble along and win it on a whim, which is great.
A huge trophy now adorns our mantle piece!
Both he and his sister entered, plus a friend each. He knows his stuff and the judge said he spoke confidently and knowledgeably.
He loves his sheep and when I look back over the last few winners it's the kids that are still into the job now. You can't just amble along and win it on a whim, which is great.
A huge trophy now adorns our mantle piece!
- Location
- N.Lincs
IME, when judging, the ones that are really interested (as opposed to the ones that are only there 'cos mum or dad said so), stand out that much that it makes placing them easy. It's pleasantly surprising how much knowledge even the young ones pick up when helping with the stock at home on a day to day basis and you can tell them from the ones who have been primed with information by their parents 5 minutes before they go in the ring.
Well done everybody.
I think @jemski has judged young handlers somewhere this year. How did you get on Jem? Did you enjoy it?
It's not til September [emoji4] plenty of time still to pick an outfit [emoji6]