Students learn to lead at CAFNR Little American Royal

by Shannon Yokley, posted Nov. 2. 2011

Students weren’t afraid to get their boots a little dirty on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Little American Royal held in Trowbridge Livestock Arena. The Little American Royal is a show for MU students to gain experience showing livestock and handling show animals properly. It also served as a way to earn extra credit for animal science classes. The show is based off of the American Royal, which is a national livestock exposition, held annually in Kansas City, Mo.

For sophomore animal science major Nicole Weaver, it was a laid-back experience.

“I like that this is a low-key show and we don’t have to worry about much. It’s just a lot of fun,” Weaver said.

She participated as a dairy novice showman and couldn’t wait to show her dairy heifer “Winifred.”

Most students who participated in the Little American Royal show livestock or have shown stock around their farms at home. Many exhibitors choose to show a different breed of animal in order to have a well-rounded experience of showing.

“Before this, I never knew how to clip a dairy heifer,” Weaver said. “They are clipped a little differently than beef cattle. I normally show horses and Angus cattle.”

Other students participated because it was a chance to be around livestock for a week.

“I like being around the horses here and working with them, since all mine are at home,” said Shelby Huber, freshman animal science major.

Huber has been around horses all her life.

“When I was younger I participated in showmanship and other classes of horse shows,” Huber said. “Now, I barrel race, but it still feels good to be around the horses and work with them.”

Several students grew up with an agricultural background but haven’t had the chance to show livestock. Matt Brown, a freshman finance major was excited about his first time showing a heifer.

“I am really excited about the showmanship and to see what happens in the ring, it is always a neat opportunity to work with the animals,” Brown said.
Brown expressed his fear of handling a big animal. “You never know what is going to happen in the ring,” he said.

The Mizzou Block and Bridle Club is the main sponsor of the Little American Royal. Other sponsors include HK Livestock Supply from Richland, Mo., Brambilla Angus from Eldridge, Mo., and Missouri Pork Association. Angell’s Western Wear sponsored as well and set up a booth for the exhibitors and spectators to purchase western wear.

“My favorite part about the Little American Royal is seeing the students show,” said Ryan Shoffner, a sophomore animal science major and tri-chair for the event.

“You could tell that they had put a lot of effort into getting ready for the show and seeing their hard work pay off is gratifying,” Shoffner said.

There were about 160 exhibitors showing this year. The show string consisted of five horses, 12 dairy calves, 14 beef heifers, eight sheep, five goats and 14 hogs.

“This is such a great opportunity,” said Kent Shikles, freshman agricultural education major and reserve champion Little American Royal Showman.
“Competition is normally what it is about for me, but having the chance to relax makes the show enjoyable and fun. Learning and fun is what showing is all about.”

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