In need of a judge or help with showmanship skills?
A one-stop website offers up tips for successful livestock shows

By Sara Thissen

As the show season is about to get underway, many youth take extra time out of their busy schedules to prepare their livestock for the next major show.

Many factors go into that one show. For youth, anticipation builds up right before the showing in the ring. For educators and leaders, support is shown to youth on a job well done. For producers, satisfaction of producing and selling a Grand Champion is often received and for judges the shows are about being honest in selection and taking pride in what youth are doing today.

The Judging Connection.com is a resourceful instrument to benefit a variety of people - breed association youth members, parents, leaders, extension educators, livestock judges, and producers to get the latest information on show judges and educational materials.

The goal is for educators or those hosting a show to find qualified judges to judge and teach youth says Ryan Harrell, owner of The Judging Connection.com

Selecting a judge can be critical for a show. Judges could be selected based on their qualifications for a particular show and whom they know. Besides finding the most qualified judge, the website teaches parents and youth what judges are looking for.

The Judging Connection.com also offers one of the largest educational article databases about judging and the showring online. The virtual library offers video clips of championship drives at major shows, judging contests, and educational events.

According to Harrell, the typical show-goer can benefit from this site in multiple ways:

1. Learn what the judge wants.

2. Learn how to judge and select the best animal for show.

3. Learn how to fit, feed, show and be successful at youth shows.

Livestock judging bestows self-confidence, networking skills, and a difference in a young person's life. It's an educational process, like 4-H, it teaches youth the value of responsibility, builds self-confidence, and creates networking skills and life-long relationships.

So dive in and start preparing for your next show by visiting www.thejudgingconnection.com.