Southwest District Livestock Show 2013

Several posts ago I communicated what a good job that Russ did with his Dairy Cows at the Jefferson Davis Parish Livestock Show, winning Grand Champion Dairy Cow and Grand Champion Dairy Showman.  He was looking forward to the Southwest District Livestock Show & Rodeo in Lake Charles this past week.  This show includes animals from Allen, Acadia, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Evangeline and Jefferson Davis Parishes.

We loaded Daisy, Rosie and Maggie into the cattle trailer and made the 50 minute commute to Lake Charles and checked them in.  Russ washed and dried them and did some touch-up grooming on them, then fed and watered them.  He and his animals were all set for the big show that would take place the very next morning in the Burton Coliseum.

Russ was sporting his new belt buckle the morning of the show and took a picture with my Dad.

First up in the Dairy heifer division, Russ showed Magnolia and won first in his class. 


Magnolia - 1st in her class

He then showed Rosie and she won first in her class.


Rosie - 1st in her class

Since Rosie won first in her class, she showed against all Jersey cows and won Grand Champion Jersey Cow! 

Way to go Russ and Rosie!

Russ then showed Daisy in Showmanship.  This competition is not really looking at the qualities of the animal, but the quality of the showman.  Russ won First Place in his age division and this qualified him to compete for the Senior Dairy Showman against the winners of all the age groups 14 and up.


Russ and Daisy (and proud Mama) - 1st Place in Dairy Showmanship

The lighting in the coliseum was not real good, so the pictures didn't turn out great, but you can see Russ and Daisy below and the judge has him in the first position. 

Russ & Daisy competing in Senior Dairy Showmanship

Russ and Daisy won Overall Champion Senior Dairy Showman!!  It comes with a really nice belt buckle and a $1,500 Scholarship.  We were very proud of him.


Daisy, Russ and his belt buckle

After the show here is a great picture of Russ relaxing with Daisy.  All of the stress was gone and now it was just time to enjoy the day.  Smiles everyone... 

A young man and his cow (is a man's best friend a dog or a cow?)

Here is a picture of Russ' winnings from the Southwest District Livestock Show.  He really did great!


Very nice awards!

Close-up photo of his belt buckle for winning Champion Senior Dairy Showmanship. 

 Close up of his Grand Champion Jersey Dairy Cow winnings:

Russ was asked to go to an Awards Night on the final night of the Rodeo to accept his scholarship.  He's being presented the award below by the President of the Livestock Show.  They asked him and all the other winners to participate in a Parade of Champions on the final night of the Rodeo and he was able to walk out in the arena and be recognized.  We all yelled and clapped loudly for him and then had a great time at the rodeo watching all the exciting events.

Russ will be taking his 3 cows to the State Livestock Show in Gonzales, Louisiana in a couple of weeks to compete in his final livestock show before graduating.  Go Russ!  Go Daisy, Rosie and Maggie!