A place for pretty cows…

 

“She has great form and a very feminine look about her.”

No, they’re not talking about a swimsuit competition. They’re judging cows.

Now, I haven’t posted a whole photoblog on any specific shoot that I’ve done for the Daily News Journal yet… but there’s a first for everything. My boss says, “Just go, take your time, and don’t overthink it… its just cows.”

Well, if you tell me that, I turn into story-telling mode if the subject is interesting enough. And, who knew they have cow shows? Well, they have horse shows and dog shows and cat shows… why not cows?

Yep, for real.

Just to set the record straight, these were all shot digitally and converted into B&W using Lightroom and fine-tuned (and added border and watermark) with Photoshop. I saw many of these photos in B&W first anyway and the nasty green florescent lighting was horribly muddy.

And besides, I would have given a small appendage for this to be shot on real film, but my Leica lens selection is far smaller than the extent of my Nikon collection.

So, the process really starts with a bath…

Yes, bath for the cow.

I’m sure there are people reading this blog who have grown up with such things their entire lives and are thinking, “Well, of course, you bathe a cow!”

Anyway, then they are off to be groomed.

Grooming includes a whole range of things from blow-drying and combing and teasing their fur to polishing their hooves and… everything.

Even a little hairspray and/or fly repellent that smells good.

Yes, I said it: cows that smell good. Its possible.

But still, they’re surrounded by a barn. The weakest link prevails.

Well, then the wait begins for your classification to be called. And, believe me, there are dozens of breeds and classes. Just like dogs.

They wait in staging. Some just stand around calmly… or take a nap…

Some “practice”…

…which, best I could tell, consisted of walking around in circles and stopping when the owner wanted it to. I mean, the really funny part comes from expecting it to be a bit more like a dog show where they prance around in a circle and “pose.”

Think about it, my friends. They’re cows.

Its akin to dragging a motorcycle through sand trying to get them started…

…then suddenly coming out of the sand onto ice…

They don’t “just stop”… their handlers have to start to stop them a good 10 feet before the mark.

And also, keep in mind, this day was a JUNIOR Livestock Expo. Some of these handlers are wee people.

But for the most part, the older kids (around high school age) have been doing this a while…

…once they get them into position, they use their little hooked stick to scratch the cow’s belly and chill them out.

And, for the most part, it seems to work.

They go in the ring just like a dog/cat/horse show and do their thing. The cows go around and the judges judge.

…and the people watch.

…and the ribbons are awarded. The classic “State Fair” ribbons…

…which brings me to another award. The Good Person of the Day goes to Leah:

She was the record keeper and gave out all the awards, but she helped me out and we chatted quite a bit – absolutely never stopped looking happy. Thank you for being such a sweetheart.

So, that about wraps it up…

Lets see, what’s up next? Maybe a late report from the UPAA trip to New York? I’m really wanting to hold that until I get my film developed…

…and they’re still adding up. I’m up to 12 rolls. Oh, it’ll be so worth the wait…

…so, stay tuned.

-Noah D.