Can the handshake be done incorrectly? You bet!
There you are, watching a class ringside and see the judge signal to a showman that she’s won the class. He walks to the mic and begins his reasons. It starts something like, “The young lady’s calf that leads off this class does so with ease…”
Then the strangest thing happens…The showman drags her calf over to him in an effort to shake his hand…while he is mid-sentence.
She awkwardly shifts the show stick and lead to her left hand so as to be able to shake with her right hand.
While he is still talking about her calf, she promptly exits the ring. Since she has set the stage of handshaking and exiting, every other showman subsequently heads to the judge for a handshake parade.
This spring, I listened to Marcus Arnold, of Texas, on the mic at a show. He commented that kids needed to quit doing that. I couldn’t agree more!
The cattle kids are not alone in this deal!
I’ve watched many a lamb or goat be pulled across the show ring for the “old handshake.” The hog kids may be the most comical because they have to take a moment to figure out where their pig has gone in their absence. Though I’ll give it to them that at least they don’t drag their animal with them for the handshake.
Showmen:
Don’t get on your parents right now for telling you to shake the judge’s hand. Your parents didn’t want you to look disrespectful.
It’s a little like “smiling in showmanship.” Somewhere along the way, everyone said to do that. Pretty soon we have kids showing that look like The Joker in a Batman movie.
I get that everyone thinks they are being polite by shaking the judge’s hand. However, there are ways to make sure the judge knows you are:
- Listening
- Acknowledging and appreciative of the comment
I think it slows down the show to a point. I know they’re just trying to be respectful and appreciate that, but I’m not sure they are listening to what I have to say.
Luke Doris, South Dakota
I recently saw a new one…
The judge was talking the third-place heifer. A kid toward the end of the class walked between the judge and the calf she was talking to shake her hand and then walked out.
The kids on either side of that showman followed suit and headed out long before she had gotten to them. To her credit, she literally ended up talking the end of the class without any cattle in the ring. This was a huge learning opportunity for the showmen outside of the ring if anyone was paying attention.
The resounding opinion from judges I’ve spoken with over the years is this:
Don’t shake the judge’s hand while he or she is giving reasons. It is distracting and holds up the show.
When he or she offers a hand, it’s time to shake it.
Kim DeLashmutt, Oregon
Consider this…If a judge is young or less experienced, it may be difficult for them to focus on that many things at one time. Ask anyone who judges shows and they’ll tell you they get in in rhythm. Judging is challenging, and while most judges will tell you it is fun, they also don’t like distractions.
Have you ever been introduced to someone and shook their hand, only to wonder 3 seconds later “What is his name?” Honestly, I usually just try to focus on getting my own name out correctly.
The Handshake
Can you imagine trying to give reasons while being bombarded with kids, cattle, and the handshake? It complicates the thought process for the judge and breaks the rhythm.
I think it would be cool to put a GoPro on a judge so showmen can see what it’s like from the center of the show ring.
Kevin McKinzie actually raised this topic in the comments of a recent post. He suggested that you should “be respectful of the judge and his evaluation of the class.”
Waiting to leave until the
reasons are complete would
make people
listen to the judge more as well.
Kevin McKinzie, California
I know showing can be stressful but you are there to hear that judge’s opinion of your calf. You paid for that, even if you don’t like it. When he or she takes the time to tell you, don’t run out of the gate.
Stop, with your calf set up, and listen to the comments…you may learn something. Even if you don’t learn anything, it’s still a simple sign of respect. It is much more respectful than distracting him or her mid-sentence, and I think that is the whole reason the handshaking parade started in the first place.
So how do you show that you are respectful?
While he or she is giving reasons, don’t run out of the gate. Stop, with your animal set up, and listen to the comments.
You can respectfully nod your head and smile at him or her before you leave. That is a non-verbal, non-distracting way of being respectful.
Listen!!!…you may learn something.
Even if you don’t learn anything, it’s still a simple sign of respect. It is much more respectful than distracting him or her mid-sentence, and I think that is the whole reason the handshaking parade started in the first place.
What if you want to talk to the judge?
That’s fine! After the show! Here is your opportunity to stick out your hand, introduce yourself and ask any positive and respectful questions you may have or just thank him or her for their time.
If you like this article, you may like some of our other posts.
Stock Show Etiquette
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