You might be asking, “Why bother with jackpots? The county fair is what really matters.” Here’s the truth: jackpot shows are the best place for you to begin to shape you and your animal into the champions you want to be at the county fair. Some of the Benefits of Jackpots are things like:

• Extra Practice: Nothing replaces real ring time. Jackpot shows let you and your animal get comfortable with the show atmosphere, the routines, and getting ready for your class. Your animal feels the level of tension in the air and gets used to that early. You get to see how this animal works in a real show environment and you get clues on what to go back and work on at home.
• Exposure to Judges: You’ll start to notice patterns in how judges bring kids into the show ring and how they move the class. Their patterns will become familiar to you and second nature instead of guessing where to stop your animal. You will even see what judges like and don’t like and you’ll learn how to adjust.
• Tougher Competition: Facing strong showmen early pushes you to step up your game before the fair. This is a big one. Competition is a key factor to improvement. Few people improve when they don’t think they need too. Comptetion shows you your weak points and helps you grow.

For each species, this can sometimes vary slightly:

• Sheep & Market Goats: Jackpots give you a chance to see how your lamb walks, braces, and behaves in a crowded ring.
• Cattle: Leading a calf in a new environment builds routine so that the calf is calmer and confident.
• Dairy Goats: The fitting of the udder and the polished style of showing that they require is easier to mimic when you see it over and over at ADGA shows and have done it yourself a few times.
• Swine: There is very little training that can compare to driving a pig in a busy, noisy environment with other pigs moving all around you.

Jackpot shows don’t need to be about chasing ribbons or getting some cash back — they’re primarily about sharpening skills. If you’re serious about winning, jackpots are a great way to get there.

Showmanship tips like this one are the focus of my book series Show Your Way to the Top. If you want to continue to build your knowledge and master your showmanship skills they are resources that can help you take your skills to the next level. I pour a lot of time and energy into every book I write and they really are packed with what I wish I knew starting out.