show or no show?

82-1232971131 · Post by **82-1232971131** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:51 pm

Hi everyone,new to posting ,although we have sold 3 Dexters through this site .
This will be our third summer with our small herd.
As we bought our Dexters from a very well respected breeder (and of course we think they are the best Dexters in the world !!!) we're thinking of showing them.We've never shown cattle before and would welcome any advice re pros and cons,especially as we live in S. Cumbria and there appear to be few shows within a reasonable distance. Rosslyn.

Buryhill Dexters · Post by **Buryhill Dexters** » Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:05 pm

Hi Rosslyn

We attended our 1st show late August last year and found it a very enjoyable day out, unfortunately it was then too late to book up for any further shows nearby to us in 2008.

We are now eagerly waiting the start of the show season (the first one near us is the begining of May) and have sent off for a whole load of schedules with the intention of attending a few shows this year.

My advice (from my limited experience) is give it a go, if nothing else you should have a jolly good day out, most everyone we met at the show were very friendly & helpful and willing to give newbies some advice.

I have been checking the DCS website for a list of shows for this year but they are still showing the 2008 list, but with a bit of googling most shows have websites and a good number now have their schedules & entry forms downloadable.

82-1232971131 · Post by **82-1232971131** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 1:28 pm

Hi,thanks for your advice.
Don't think I'll be able to convince my husband that the cost of buying a 4x4 and a trailer is worth it for a good day out.

natmadaboutdexters · Post by **natmadaboutdexters** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:08 pm

Showing is hard work and time consuming but good fun and very addictive! You probably won't win back the cost of a 4x4 and trailer but I don't think that many people do it for the prize money. You get to meet lots of other Dexter owners and swap hints and tips when showing. We have only being doing it for a couple of years but have found it very enjoyable, even in the rain!

Natasha

nuttalls · Post by **nuttalls** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 7:56 pm

hi rosslyn,we too are going to try n show this year, weve been showing sheep for 4 years but most people like too keep there secrets n tips to themselves! scared of getting beat i reckon! Iv,e been to most shows in england, but what good fun to take your own. Life is for living so enjoy and i hope i meet you in the showring. now is the start to prepare them jean jordeth

Saffy · Post by **Saffy** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:31 pm

I was shocked to discover that some people feed their show rams chicken food! Constant antibiotics!!!

Stephanie

Louisa Gidney · Post by **Louisa Gidney** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:37 pm

You don't have to buy a 4x4 & a trailer, you can hire a haulier to take cattle to & from show. If there's anyone else in the region to share waggon space & costs with, it's not too horrendously expensive. Even if not, it's one way of getting to a show with cattle to see if you enjoy the experience.

82-1232971131 · Post by **82-1232971131** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:15 pm

Thank you for that advice.Its a really good idea that we hadn't thought of and its definitely worth a try.

82-1232971131 · Post by **82-1232971131** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:12 pm

Hi Jean, look forward to meeting you.Getting the halters out now!!

Peter thornton · Post by **Peter thornton** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 12:36 am

Don't know where you are, but think about Penrith Show, also Westmorland Show. You might be able to walk them there!

Actually, you will probably eventually need to move the animals around. You may want to take them to a bull, or to the butchers. And you may want to take them to sales or purchase further stock from the same. I remember bringing home a cow and a heifer from York sale to Kendal in a small trailer towed by an 999cc VW Polo! Point being that you can get away without a 4x4, although I'd recommend a decent sized car.

Best of luck

carole · Post by **carole** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 2:13 pm

|Forget the trailer and 4X4 I have just found the perfect solution to your transport problems
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle ... 837920.stm

82-1232971131 · Post by **82-1232971131** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 3:34 pm

Forget the halter training .Its potty training from now on.The perfect solution,we once brought a sheep back from market in a mazda 323 so Dexters should be no problem.
The lebanon a bit far to go for a show.
Thanks for that ....had us in tears!!!!!!!!

nuttalls · Post by **nuttalls** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:51 pm

hi rosslyn i see not much advice has been given! as i thought, a showing guide rules can be got from the society. but its the turnout that matters on the day i keep u informed, jean

82-1232971131 · Post by **82-1232971131** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:10 pm

Hi Jean,we've got the rules guide from Dcs and Bovine Showbiz which was also recommended .Are you far from our neck of the woods? We're near Broughton-in-Furness. Rosslyn.

nuttalls · Post by **nuttalls** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 8:27 pm

yeah blackburn lancashire, jean