Opinion Column: Showing Livestock Teaches Life Lessons
Launch the media gallery 1 playerI have been showing livestock since I was 8 years old and have been around livestock since I was born. I have learned multiple valuable lessons from being around animals, and it has made a tremendous impact on my life.
Exhibiting livestock since I was little has taught me innumerable life lessons. It has taught me the importance and responsibility that comes from taking care of animals. Even if I have other things going on, I have to put those things aside and work with my livestock. Furthermore, I learned from a young age about how to win and lose gracefully, and to never give up.
Showing livestock is a hobby that is all on me. Unlike other sports I have played, when I am showing animals, I don’t have other teammates that I have to do it for - it’s something I do for myself. For all kids who show, it teaches the importance of consistency and attention to detail with the animals. This instills important values and dedication that can better anyone in his or her life.
It’s not only all about the animals. I have made so many friendships from showing livestock. We get to travel all around and meet new people all the time. I feel such happiness for my friends when they win, and they are content with me after I win. A lot of these relationships come from common interest in this game, and these friendships are lifelong.
Although winning is the best thing when it comes to showing livestock, there is a lot behind the scenes that make that possible. Kids spend endless hours in the barn washing, exercising, feeding, and making their livestock the best that they can be. And the life lessons learned and relationships formed in the barn and in the show ring are priceless.