Cattle, exhibitors shine for the judge

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Lea Ottmers of Fredericksburg keeps the gray Brahman heifer from Horsegate Ranch calm prior to entering the show ring during a recent Open Show in North Texas. Lea said her attire often has pizzazz, even in the show ring. -- Staff photo by Cope

June 16, 2005 - The Brahman cattle looked great, despite the hot and humid wind that blew through the fairgrounds' covered arena. Their gray or red hair almost glistened, it was so clean. Their black hooves were shined and polished. Even their ear tags and noses were cleaned.

Cattle exhibitors know having a clean, fitted animal is great for the judges' eyes. Not only does it represent good showmanship, a cow's or bull's little flaws can be masked with some good grooming skills.

When it comes to the exhibitor, glistening hair, shiny shoes, and clean faces are also nice, attainable features for the judge. Looking around the show ring, it's apparent some try harder than others, and, for some, they naturally have a winning look.

Despite the sticky atmosphere on Saturday afternoon, June 4, Lea Ottmers of Fredericksburg sported a look that would surely catch the judge's eyes. And, her heifer looked good too.

Lea, 24, was attired in a pink-white-turquoise plaid shirt, wide belt with shiny buckle, sparkling, dangle earrings, and pink boots put the finishing touch to the end of her blue jeans.

"This isn't anything I wouldn't normally wear," she said as she stroked the heifer's belly with a show stick. "This is just my style .... I like the bling-bling."

The new catch phrase "bling-bling" can be applied to anything that shines ... from the dangling earrings, rhinestone-studded belt, and even Lea's perfect, white smile.

The early-June heat was punishing the Brahman exhibitors. Most had at least one trickle of sweat down the side of their face. Against Lea's carefully applied make-up, the sweat just added a healthy glow. And, while the heat kinked or flattened most folks hair, Lea's coiffure, swept up and pinned, left little dangling to show negative effects from the humidity.

Lea, who has shown cattle for years through FFA and 4-H, was helping her uncle, David Sagebiel, exhibit cattle for clients during the Open Brahman Show in the North Texas town of Greenville.

As she readied to take the heifer into the show ring, Lea was asked: Does an exhibitor's bling-bling or natural attractiveness affect the judge's decision when picking a champion? "No, it doesn't affect his decision at all. It's the best cow (or bull) that wins. If it does, though, I guess we're all in trouble."