Show girls ... East Texas friends cite values developed from livestock showing

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Samantha Jordan (left) poses with her cow Laci at a showing event. Her friend, Heather Hirsch (right), is pictured with her. (Photo of Sara Slover was unavailable at press time). -- Courtesy photo

May 26, 2005 - For three East Texas young ladies, showing livestock is life.

Heather Hirsch, Samantha Jordan, and Sara Slover are three showgirls who have drawn success from their livestock judging experiences.

Heather, a 15-year-old from Athens has shown everything from broilers to swine, but prefers heifers. While showing Shorthorn heifers, she met Jordan.

Samantha, 16, lives in Tyler. In addition to heifers, she occasionally shows rabbits and steers. Through the Smith County 4-H, she met Sara Slover.

At 17, Sara is the oldest of the group. She shows swine and steers.

Among them are a handful of county grand champion titles, honors from the Houston Livestock Show, showmanship awards, and champion titles from organizations such as the Texas Club Pig Association.

Heather hopes to attend Texas A&M University and an Ivy League institution before traveling the world. Samantha has dreams of becoming a pharmacist. Sara has plans of having a job as an agriculture teacher or Extension agent.

Though they attend different schools, are different in age and have very different aspirations, the showing experience has instilled similar qualities in each of them.

Each of the girls accredited their success in showing to the support they received from others. Included on the list were experts and educators, but the list was capped with support from friends and family.

"I have realized that this is a family thing, and there is no way that I could do this, or anything for that matter, without them," said Samantha.

"It brings a family closer together," said Sara, who traveled 15,000 miles with her father to shows last year.

Heather said she shows approximately 45 out of the 52 weekends in a year.

In addition to increasing time spent with family, the girls all noted the friends and lessons they have learned from showing.

"This is the best organization that a child could be in," said Heather. "Not only does this organization help you meet all kinds of people, but it helps you deal with real world situations such as winning, losing, responsibility, and above all, ethics."

"Showing has helped me to be responsible, gain confidence in myself, determine the career that I would like to pursue after high school, and has helped me to be a more rounded person through helping others in and out of the ring," said Sara.

The three girls have often helped other exhibitors in shows. They show the others' animals, help groom, and even offer rides to make sure their competition makes it to events.

Heather praised her friends on their willingness to help others.

"I've helped Sara put on a few pig clinics and she's helped do so much around the barn," said Heather. "You could ask either of them for help and they would never tell you no."

Heather shows Shorthorn and Limousin heifers and goats, but she started her showing career at the age of 5 when she showed a pig in a PeeWee event.

Samantha spends most of her time showing Shorthorn heifers, but also shows rabbits and steers. Her showing plans for a career in showing livestock began at an early age.

"One of my first memories is going to California for the Shorthorn Junior Nationals when I was 3 and my uncle was still showing," said Jordan. "Even though all I was doing was leading them around at the time."

Sara's showing success with pigs and steers may be in her blood. She comes from a family of showmen.

"Almost 61 years ago to the date, my grandfather exhibited the Grand Champion steer in Smith County," said Sara. But she also noted how times have changed since her grandfather's day.

"Looking back at his pictures, the show cattle prices have really changed. His heavyweight steer weighed 870 pounds and brought $304.50. My heavyweight steer weighed 1,334 and brought $12,500."

Each year, showing competition changes, and participation fluctuates. All of the girls encouraged others to join, but recognized the difficulty new competitors face.

Heather cited the three reasons she felt more people were not involved with showing.

"One, they don't want to have to spend the time or have the responsibility of an animal. Two, is land. As more kids live in the city they just don't have the space to keep an animal. Three, money. It takes a lot of money to feed and take care of an animal. It takes about $1,100 to feed a steer for show, and that's not including the vet bills, the cost of the calf, or entry fees."

Heather suggested that participation may increase if those with property volunteered to house animals for students living in urban areas.

While others their ages may prefer to spend their time staying out late and sleeping in, these three young ladies have instead devoted their time to showing, learning, and helping their fellow competitors.

They all have hopes of a future that will be as bright as their showing careers. As each cited the priceless lessons they have learned while showing, it seems they have the tools that will light their way.