by Rachel Cutrer
Every year, junior exhibitors, parents, breeders, cattlemen and women haul thousands of miles, spend countless hours in the barn, and pour their hearts into preparing animals for the show ring.
And for most, it’s not just about the banner.
It’s about earning a win that means something — a win that says this is the kind of livestock our industry should be breeding toward. Functional. Correct. High quality.
It’s about teaching our young people that being honest, working hard, and doing things right still matter.
When the livestock quality is deep, the competition is tough, good sportsmanship is present, and the judge rewards the ones that truly rise to the top, it’s a win for everyone, whether you walk away first or fifth.
But every once in a while, something happens that reminds you of an uncomfortable truth:
Sometimes the best animals don’t win.
And when that happens, it’s not just disappointing — it’s damaging.
At its best, a livestock show is one of the most powerful merit-based environments in agriculture. It’s a place where ideally everyone can be on a level playing field no matter your age, gender, financial status, location, years in the business, or herd size. Because, in theory, show judges shouldn’t care about:
- what ranch or breeder name is on the prefix
- how many followers someone has
- who is “established”
- who is standing at the halter
- who has sponsored the show
The show ring is supposed to reward one thing: The livestock.
When Politics Win… Everybody Loses
Here’s the part the industry doesn’t like to talk about.
When a judge rewards livestock based on friendships, reputations, quid pro quo, or even something worse, it creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond one class.
Because the consequences aren’t small.
1. The show loses credibility.
People aren’t dumb. Exhibitors, breeders, and spectators can tell when a class is sorted honestly, and they can tell when it isn’t.
And once confidence in a show’s integrity due to their judge selection takes a hit, it’s hard to rebuild.
2. The breed loses progress.
If the most competitive animals don’t get rewarded, then breeders don’t get incentivized to keep pushing the breed forward.
The show ring is supposed to spotlight improvement.
Politics do the opposite — they reward comfort, familiarity, and names people already recognize.
3. Young or new people lose momentum
This one matters most.
Because when an exhibitor brings an exceptional animal — something that is truly the kind that can change a program or change a kids life — and gets overlooked purely due to politics…
That doesn’t just steal a banner.
It can steal a launching point.
It can steal motivation.
It can steal belief.
It can steal public perception of our junior shows and premium auctions.
And that’s not okay.
No One Person “Deserves” to Win — The Animals Do
There’s a mindset that creeps into this business sometimes:
“Well, they’ve been doing this forever.”
“She comes from a big ranch.”
“They’re well known.”
“She wins all the time.”
“They’re due for a win.”
“Well, they do give a lot of money to the show.”
Respectfully?
Nobody deserves to win because of a name.
Or a prefix.
Or a reputation.
The animal deserves to win.
And the greatest judges — the ones that leave a lasting legacy — are the ones who reward the best animal in front of them that day.
Even if it surprises the crowd.
Even if it upsets someone important.
Even if it’s shown by an inner city kid who’s in their first year showing and doesn’t come from a well known school or ranch.
Even if it doesn’t follow the politics.
Because the judge’s job isn’t to make friends.
The judge’s job is to protect the integrity of the ring.
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A Challenge to Our Industry: We Must Do Better
This industry is filled with hard-working people who truly love agriculture.
And most judges work to do the right thing.
But the few who don’t harm more than their own reputation.
Judging is an honor.
It’s also a responsibility.
And if our shows are going to matter — if it’s going to remain a place that builds the future of agriculture and builds young people – then the expectation must be clear:
Sort the shows honestly.
Because the next great leader might be standing in the back of the ring.
Sometimes the best show pig isn’t being driven by the biggest name.
Sometimes the best steer isn’t backed by the deepest pockets.
Sometimes the best heifer in the barn belongs to someone still trying to get established.
And if we want our industry to thrive, then we need to protect the thing that makes showing so powerful:
A fair shot.
Because today’s overlooked exhibitor could be tomorrow’s great leader.
But only if we give them a reason to believe the system is worth investing in.