Madison, Pablo winning pair in showmanship

A cacophony of moos greeted show persons, and visitors this past Saturday as a flurry of activity unfolded on the Porterville Fairgrounds. The presenters used what little time they had before the show to shave, feed, walk, and groom the coats to a glistening sheen.

Thus the 23rd annual Sierra Winter Classic Beef Show had begun. The judges of the two-day event were Clay Morrison of Midland, Texas, and James Henderson, of Woodlake.

Hidden among the competitors was a surprise. Pablo, a miniature Hereford steer, stood granite-like still, as two men used a razor to clip his coat. Nearby his owner Madison King, who is 13 and has Down Syndrome, and her parents James and Sherri King, waited for her turn in the ring. Across the aisle, her little brother Ashton King, 11, was busy inspecting his steer, William.

According to Sammie Duysen, a friend that the King’s met through showing cattle, Madison was placed in the PeeWee category, because this was her first show. After the grooming was completed Madison King led Pablo to the lineup with a little help from family friend Joshua Davila, whom the Kings have known for a year. He works at John’s Cattle Company in Strathmore which is where the King’s buy their cattle.

With her she carried a purplish red cane that she used to scratch Pablo’s side. This action, according to her mother Sherri King, is used to calm the animal. Though one would expect her to be nervous Madison was all smiles as she made her way into the ring.

Upon entering Ring B, Madison and her competitor presented their steers to Judge Morrison.

He spent a few minutes looking at the steers and then had each animal and handler walk around the ring. After a few more deliberations he announced the winner.

First prize went to Madison King. Morrison commended her on many aspects of her showmanship skills. According to Morrison, Madison did a good job of keeping the animal under control and keeping its head level.  

In the junior category which is for youths ages 9-12 years old Ashton King placed seventh.

The Kings live on a five acre farm, in Springville, with a number of animals including steers, geese, and chickens. According to Sherri King they have always wanted to have cattle on their land.

She added that the selection of Pablo, for Madison, was suggested by Duysen.

“We were actually working with the cattle castrating and dehorning, and Sammie happened to be there and saw Maddie and she thought the miniature Hereford would be great for Maddie to work with,” Sheri King said.  

Madison treasures her time with Pablo. Her mother believes that having and raising animals is a great teaching tool for the kids.

“As far as showing animals it teaches them responsibility,” Sherri King said. “My kids have been more attentive and caring. Madison is normally shy, but these past two weeks, she has been enjoying this.”

According to James King part of the animal showmanship includes washing the animals thoroughly, and making sure that they have ample exercise.

When not showing Madison enjoys listening to music, System of A Down is her favorite group, and reading. Ashton King enjoys Math and wants to be a mechanical engineer.

The Sierra Winter Classic is a project of the Porterville Jr. Fair Board, a group of 14 FFA and 4-H members ages 14-19 who gain the experience of putting on a show with the assistance of the adult committee members.

Over the two days of the Classic, nearly 200 exhibitors were expected to show almost 300 head of cattle. The judging process is divided into two categories. In the showmanship class, exhibitors are judged on how well they show their animals. In the market class, the animals are judged on their confirmation.

In addition other early morning Showmanship results included Cameron Shelton, Porterville, second place in the PeeWee ( 5-8) category; Brittany Hefner, Springville, second place, Junior ( 9-12) category; Austin Hefner, Springville, third place, and Cody Shelton, Porterville, seventh place, Intermediate (13-15) category; and Sarah Clark Bakersfield, first place, in the Senior (16-19) category. Complete results were not available prior to publication.