Every year during fair time, many people participate in showing their animals, which includes livestock, cattle, hog, goats, and any other farm animals.
The Searcy FFA chapter has many members that are a part of their show team, which competes at the White County Far, district fair, and if possible, the Arkansas State Fair.
What most people don’t know is many months of work is required for preparing for the actual show day.
“A ton of work gets put in, ” said junior FFA show team member Katey Carnitz. “We start working with our animals at the end of May and all throughout the summer. Getting close to show, we have to make sure our animals look perfect. We have to shear their hair, trim and polish their hooves and horns, fluff their legs, condition their coats, and many other things as well.”
Carnitz has lived in the showing life for quite a while, showing different kinds of animals throughout the years.
“I’ve been showing for five years,” Carnitz explained. “This year I showed a goat, but I’ve also shown a lamb and horses before.”
Of course there are other ways someone could be involved with showing their animals at the fair, but Carnitz has her reasons for joining the FFA show team.
“Well I had already been showing before I was in high school, but FFA was just another outlet for it; I actually got excused for school to participate in showing,” she said.
Preparing the animals for months definitely has it’s ups and downs, and it’s easy and hard conditions.
“I love the hype of getting ready to show. We are competing against people all over the state,” stated Carnitz. “My favorite part is actually getting in the show ring and watching the judge.”
Although it may be fun and games most of the time, being a part of the show team means having responsibility and dedication.
“The most difficult part of being on the show team is juggling everything. We miss a lot of school, so we have to make sure we get all of our work turned in and graded. I play volleyball as well. So juggling school, show team, volleyball and a job gets hard sometimes. We just have to make deadlines and not overload ourselves,” Carnitz said.
The outcome from the judges might not always be what they’d hope.
Each place is different, therefore expectations are never solid thoughts at each arena.
Carnitz placed seventh place in market and tenth place in showmanship at the county fair.
She ended up in fifth place in market and placed in the top twelve out of an estimate of fifty people in showmanship at district fair.
At the state fair, Carnitz placed sixteenth in market with state fair being one of their hardest fairs to compete at due to more competition that’s participating.
Some people who join FFA may not be positive if being on the show team is something they’d be interested in.
It’s not a requirement for FFA members, but it is definitely an activity the current show team members encourage them to join.
“I would definitely recommend joining the show team,” Carnitz persuades. “Show team is a learning experience. You get to learn about your animal, nutrition, and exercising habits. You learn how to better yourself for the next year. You can also make so many lasting friendships. I know people from all over because of showing.”
More people join the Searcy FFA show team every year.
When fair time comes back around again next year, don’t forget to support and cheer them on as they compete once again while doing what they love.
