In this blog on ring awareness, I wanted to look at the first components of transitions and moving in the show ring. Understanding the show ring will help you to master the way you and your cattle look and feel in the judge’s eyes.

Basic ring awareness

When you enter the show ring be sure to have your plastic comb in your back right pocket, your hand up over your steer’s halter, and your show stick out in front of you with the sharp end down. Many showmen follow the steer in front of them instead of making wide turns as they walk. This causes the line of cattle that enters the ring to quickly get smaller and close together. It’s your job to use the whole arena; walk as close as you can to all four corners without going into them. Don’t just follow the showman in front of you while he cuts corners. If you are the only one using the entire arena, you can easily get the judge’s attention on you as the potential winner. Even as you do this, be aware not to get too close to the rail. Stay about three feet back so that if the judge were to have you stop unexpectedly he could walk around your animal without squeezing between you and the rail. 

You will always walk clockwise in the show ring. Keep this in mind especially if you are the first to enter the show ring. While walking, if the steer directly in front of you stops, wait for the showman to get it going again or help them out. Never walk around a steer unless instructed to do so by the judge. If you are instructed to pass a showman, pass them on the same side that the judge is on. This is to be sure the judge can always see your animal. If you instead pass behind the other steer, you put yourself out of sight, which will not work to your benefit in the show ring. 

You always want to leave plenty of space between your steer and the other animals in the ring. This way, if the animal in front of you stops unexpectedly, you will still have enough time to take a few steps and set your steer. As you stop in line you want enough space between you and the next animal for the judge to comfortably walk between them. Be careful not to leave too much space though, because the judge needs to be able to easily evaluate both animals at the same time.

When you go to stop your steer, be sure to turn around and face your steer, as if you were going to stop, three to four steps early. Begin scratching your steer to signal him to stop and walk him into your stance. Be careful not to run up too close to the animal in front of you as you do this. If you cannot get your steer to set quickly before getting too close then pull your steer out of line, make a big circle, and walk back into line. Don’t forget to scratch your steer with your stick after every one or two adjustments to keep him focused and happy. Remember that circular, steady, and consistent scratching always gives better results than quick, sawing, or back and forth motions.

Once you understand the initial entering of the show ring and the most basic level of manuevering, you can take it to the next level, training and mastering showmanship. This blog is the very first section of a chapter in my book which goes into the details of mastering every manuever and move in the show ring. If you want some help mastering cattle showmanship and impressing the judges, you can get my book Show Your Way To The Top at mastershowmanship.com/shop