CHAMPIONS ON PARADE

BY ROBERT BROCK SKIPTON, M.D. and DEE ANN SKIPTON Drawings By DR. ROBERT BROCK SKIPTON . . . Consultant M. M. PENNY

Hospitality, Sunshine and Color!

These three nationally occurring ingredients, found amply in Arizona, made a trip to the Arizona National Livestock Show one we enjoyed and will long remember.

Under the blue sky and a warm Arizona sun, surrounded by a white show-ring, the colors of the livestock industry walked on a green wood-chip carpet.

There were the russet and white Herefords, the silky Black Angus, the auburn-haired Shorthorns, the midnight-black Brangus, the almost-white Charolais, the Longhorns of western fame, and the various earth colors of the Quarter Horses.

The January weather, with crisp mornings and with evenings bracketing the warm, sun-filled days, was perfect. The participants, spectators, and we're sure the animals, too, enjoyed it and in appreciation presented a most interesting show. By being the only major U.S. livestock show held mainly outdoors, the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix gave everyone plenty of room. The only ones fenced in were the animals. Around the barns, pens and show ring, you pick up the "sounds" of a livestock show; the exhibitors talking to their animals; the moans of pleasure from cattle being brushed and rubbed, the oldtimers swapping yarns of "their" West; the bulls serenading their perfumed lady friends; the auctioneer barking prices; the slow hoofbeats of parading cattle and the slap of leather as horse and rider chased calves in the Coliseum.

And everywhere there were the cow folks and the cowpokes in their handsomely rugged, well-fitting western clothes; from Levis to $100 Stetsons; boots and silver buckles. They were meeting old friends and making new ones. They were working with their cattle, judging, assisting, showing and just plain enjoying themselves. There were the energetic young people together with the sages of older times carefully picking their events to oversee and judge for themselves. Whole families were there working as a team to present their best in the show.

Why do they come? Why are areas as far away as Canada and also ranches in Mexico represented at this show? In essence what is the purpose of the Arizona National Livestock Show?

For exhibitors, a national livestock show is a "show window" for their cattle, a display case, so to speak. It is a chance for breeders to show what quality they have developed and to compare theirs to others by competition. Each owner comes with hopes of a winner and, eventually, the Grand Champion of the show. Some of the exhibitors will go on the "circuit," starting with this show in January and continuing on to some of the other twelve national shows held throughout the United States in cities such as Denver, Houston, Kansas City, San Francisco and Chicago. Phoenix has the honor of holding the kickoff show each year, in early January.

Other people come to buy cattle from a calf or bull to a pen of ten. They want to start a herd or upgrade the herd they already have by adding better quality stock.

Some ranchers come to sell the best of their breeds, and some, like us, come just to look, learn and enjoy the spectacle.

National shows of this kind improve the beef industry. To give you some idea why the beef industry is important, here's an astonishing fact: Americans consume about 170 pounds of meat per person per year! And, naturally, as the population grows, so does the need for more beef. It is estimated that each additional million people require another 172,000 beef cattle and 25,400 dairy cattle and the U.S. average population growth growth is two and one-half million a year. This calls for a steady expansion of numbers through improvement in breeding and quality.

Through competition and the different events in shows such as this one comes an increasingly better quality of beef for the consumer. This is achieved by the exchange of new ideas of feeding and caring for cattle and in improving on animals used in breeding. Packing house representatives are there, as well as the local merchants. The result of all these multiple efforts and the ultimate goal, then, is that we will have better meat.

The history of the Arizona National Livestock Show reads like a success story from a motion picture script.

In just twenty short years it has grown from 449 head of cattle entered to 1800; from 42 exhibitors from five states to 439 exhibitors from twenty-four states, Canada and Mexico; from 6 scraggly entries in the Junior Division to 200 entries from eight states; and from the original name of Phoenix Stock Show to Arizona National Livestock Show.

How did all this come about?

Back in June, 1948, several Arizona business and cattlemen got together and decided Arizona should have a stock show that would include all breeds. The first Board of Directors was selected at this meeting and the officers chosen by the Board. They were: Frank Snell, president; E. Ray Cowden, vice-president; John Jacobs, vice-president; and Frank Armer, secretary-treasurer.

In December, 1948, the first show was put on under the direction of Dr. E. L. Scott, of Suncrest Hereford Ranch, and Hester Cochran. They had the assistance of many interested people, such as Alan Feeney, of Milky Way Hereford Ranch, Ted Gilbert, Jack Drew, Max Best and John Evans. The results of this first show were most gratifying and the wheels were set in motion for the next show in January, 1950.

Arizona's climatic advantages and the tireless efforts of discerning breeders have produced many aristocrats of the bovine world, especially in the numerically dominant Hereford breed. The above "White Face" noble is Milky Way Farm's MW Larry Domino 89th, Reserve Champion of the 1948 International Show. That year MW Prince Larry 15th was Grand Champion Bull at the International, marking the first time in history that bulls from the same herd won Grand Champion and Reserve Champion at the Chicago Show. Trophy rooms of Milky Way Farm, Suncrest Hereford Ranches, Long Meadow Ranch, Cowden Cattle Company, Tal Wi Wi Ranch, Steeple X, Greene Cattle Co., and Rancho Sacatal to mention a few - attest to the achievements of Arizona's breeders and their famed array of champions.

Every year the show grew bigger and better. With the name changed to Arizona National Livestock Show in 1952, the show attracted more out-of-state exhibitors, more visitors and more attention. Arizona was now in the big league with the long-established shows such as the National Western Show in Denver; International Livestock Exposition in Chicago, American Royal Livestock and Horse Show in Kansas City, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, to name a few. By 1956 the Arizona National was recognized as a Hereford Register of Merit Show (very important to a breeder). That year entries numbered around 900, with exhibitors from twenty states. The thinking of some Arizona ranchers was changing, too. It is told that not too many years ago Arizona breeders thought it was too hot here to condition a steer with any degree of satisfaction to produce a Grand Winner, but in 1959 the Grand Champion Steer was from Arizona.

In shows that followed, each year saw new classes of entries, like the addition of the Class A rated Quarter Horse Show in 1964. New records were set by the number of exhibitors, visitors, Junior Division entrants, new events, the adding of entertainers, etc. On two occasions, the Miss America of the Year was there to present trophies to the winners. The Arizona National Livestock Show has been growing until, now, although it is the youngest major show, it is ranked in the top five of the national shows. It is second or third in Hereford sales and second in Charolais sales. It is eighth in the number of Quarter Horse entries and has twice as many pens of fed cattle as any other show. All this and more and every year it is getting bigger and better.

What are the reasons for this success? Why would participants come from Indiana, Nebraska or Washington to Arizona for a livestock show? The answer is the hospitality and the sincere interest displayed by the community and the personnel directly connected with the show.

As we talked with the exhibitors, they told us how very impressed they were with the warm hospitality extended to them by everyone with whom they came into contact. They were treated honestly and fairly in every aspect of their daily activities here in Arizona. The people and the business community really support the show with their donations of time, energies, prizes and special activities for the participants. When a community is enthusiastically behind something, it produces good, old-fashioned hospitality. There is a lot of it to be found here.

Then there is that wonderful, abundant Arizona sunshine. As mentioned previously, the Arizona National Livestock Show has the only outdoor show-ring on the national circuit, complete with potted palms. This is a drawing card that we in Arizona take for granted. An exhibitor's wife from the Midwest said that it was a thrill in itself just to see the show outside in the January sunshine.

It is important to Arizona and to Phoenix that this show be a success. The many out-of-state exhibitors, and those from Arizona, too, go to a great deal of expense to attend a show. They stay in our motels and hotels, eat their meals in our restaurants, shop in our stores, buy our cattle. Also, while they are here, they are seeing Arizona as a nice place to come to for a future vacation and, perhaps, a place to live.

Champion Hereford Bull SILVER DESIGN 88 made his royal debut as Grand Champion of the 1967 Arizona National Livestock Show and went on to garner top honors at other leading shows, including the Denver Show where he was purchased by Oxley's Hereford Ranch of Pawhuska, Oklahoma for a record sale price of $52,500.

One of the most important reasons for the success of the Arizona National Livestock Show is a very special couple, Lee and Pearl TePoel. The coordination and smooth-running progression of events during a show like this does not just happen. The behind-the-scene operation is much bigger than what a casual observer detects. There are months of hard work and planning which encompass organizing the events, accepting entries, assigning of duties and responsibility, Fairground and Coliseum preparation and engendering the enthusiasm for the show in the community and state. Lee and Pearl TePoel are the folks that make this conception a reality, through their knowledge and experience with livestock shows, their warm knack of personnel management and their unending hard work. They however give a full measure of credit to the state-wide corps of businessmen, ranchers and workers under the direction of President Dr. B. P. Cardon, past presidents, Frank Snell and Sterling Hebbard and the most active Don Charles, who coordinate and oversee the countless operational details which make the Arizona Livestock Show a year-after-year success. Lee and Pearl are almost charter members of this organization. They came to Phoenix in 1949, one year after its origin, and have been with it ever since. Lee is the superintendent and manager and Pearl is the official secretary. They both were with the long-established National Western Stock Show in Denver before moving to Phoenix. Lee's experience with cattle goes back a long way. In fact, you could say he was born to this way of life. His parents were married on horseback following a bucking bronc contest which his father won, and even the preacher was on horseback in this unique ceremony. There are stockmen and rodeo riders on both sides of his family. Orby Yates, a rodeo star, was Lee's uncle. Lee was born and raised on a ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota. He spent twelve years ranching in Wyoming before he began following the rodeo circuit. He was a saddle bronc rider for a number of years but after suffering a few major bumps and fractures he gave up bronc riding to indulge in the business end of the cattle industry. Lee still says the rodeo is a "wonderful sport," but it is surely hard on a fellow as a way of life. Subsequent to his rodeo life he settled in Denver and began working and gaining experience by buying and selling cattle for a commission in the stockyards. That job makes one a good judge of what's going to make a tasty steak. Following this education in the overall livestock industry, Lee became associated with the Denver Stock Show and stayed there for about nineteen years.Pearl, who was born and raised on a farm in Nebraska, also worked with the Denver show, first as entry supervisor and then as secretary to the manager. This experience makes her invaluable as official secretary of this show. If you need to know anything about the Arizona National, just ask Pearl. They work together as a team, tirelessly, and Arizona is fortunate indeed to have their combined talents. During the show they seem to be everywhere, know everyone, and are working with boundless energy With the show running for six days, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continuing into the night, there are certainly enough events to satisfy anyone's pleasure.

There is much to see, but one of the things you won't want to miss is the Calf Scramble. This is truly a contest between boy and beast. Ten boys, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, and five calves are turned loose in the outdoor show ring and what a scramble it is with dirt, feet and hoofs flying. There can be only one boy to a calf, so they are competing among themselves for the five calves.

The object is first to catch the calf and try to hang on. This is no easy task, as those little critters can really run and they're strong, too. Of course, the boys have help from the spectators yelling their advice "hold 'em and hang on, fella." After catching and holding on, the boys must then, unassisted, put a halter on the calf and push, lead or drag him from the ring.

Though this event is fun for the spectators, it represents a business opportunity and experience for the boys. Each winner must purchase a calf which is partly subsidized by the Arizona National. Throughout the following year he must keep a record of the growth of that calf, how much and what he fed him, and then must enter and sell him at the next Arizona National Livestock Show.

Perhaps here we should mention what is meant by the different names or terms of the animals one hears and reads about in the programs.

What is a steer or a feeder?

What's the difference between a senior yearling and a summer yearling?

Why are there so many show classifications?

There are three main types of calves; a female is called a heifer, a male is called a bull calf unless he is castrated, in which case he is then considered a steer calf. Generally the heifers are bred to raise future calves, the bull calf is raised to become a breeding bull, and the steers become our main source of beef to eat.

Animals auctioned off as feeders are heifers or mainly steers to be placed in feedlots to be fattened for market.

In order for an animal to be fairly judged among his peers, the show classifications are divided up according to their exact age. For example, a yearling is between one and two years old and is even further subdivided depending upon the exact month of birth. A quick glance at your program will give you an easily understandable basis on which the different classifications are formed. The judging results in each class having a champion, each breed having a Grand Champion and the best of the whole show is called the Supreme Grand Champion.

Preview Of A Future Champion

You'll find his name under the heading "Hereford Exhibitors" DORSEY, MARK Eaton, Colorado. Too young for the Junior Division of the Arizona National he must compete with the veterans in the Open classes and a real competitor he is watch him Mark is starting almost where his daddy did some 18 years ago. He was no taller than Mark at his first Arizona National and has since been a regular exhibitor.

The judging of different classifications and breeds of cattle

and of the quarter horses was going on almost continuously. It is quite a spectacle; the show-ring filled with all prize beef. Not only are the animals beautiful, they are also patient and well behaved. They can stand by the hour, holding their heads up and feet perfectly placed. They readily respond to their masters commands to turn, walk or stand still.

Their square bodies, straight backs, shiny perfectly groomed hair and fluffed-up tails represent much time, energy and money spent. They look proud and, indeed, their owners are proud of them, for they are their best. It is here one can appreciate the long hours of training and patience expended by the owners.

But one of them has to be in first place, be the champion, and that decision is made by the judge. Try sizing them up yourself and see what a difficult job he has. Also, compare your judging with that of the professionals and thereby gain a feeling of being a part of the show.

Briefly, here are some of the items a judge looks for in scoring the animals. Under general appearance he observes the weight according to age, the overall form of the squarish, compact, symmetrical body with firm, even flesh, quality fine hair and pliable hide. Considering the head and neck, the judge is looking for a broad mouth with large nostrils, large, clean eyes, a broad forehead, short face with strong jaws and a short neck.

Are the shoulders smooth, broad, well covered and rounded? Are the front legs short, straight and wide apart? He wants the chest deep, wide and full and the body broad, straight and firmly fleshed. He observes if the rump is broad, level and long. Are the thighs round, deep and full? Are the hind legs short, straight and wide apart? Is the tail head square and smooth? These are just a few of the many items used in judging and, when all are added together, constitute the overall appraisal of the animal.

Many interesting insights into exhibiting were explained to us in our conversations with the participants. For instance, to lessen the stress of strange surroundings, the animals are watered only from the same bucket prior to and during the show. To cover the taste of city water chlorine, some exhibitors will add molasses to the water at home and do the same away from home. The animal's own special feed is prepared ahead of time and brought along, together with the accustomed hay used for bedding. The same halters, saddles and show equipment used in training are used while showing. Little items, yes, but important in making the animal comfortable and relaxed while "on the road."

You'll also want to see an auction and hear the auctioneers bark, encouraging higher prices from the buyers. There are several different categories of cattle to be auctioned. At one, the pens of Arizona Fed Fat Cattle, the auctioneer had the assistance on the auction block from the Miss Rodeo America Queen, Sherri Vincent, an Arizona State University student.

The sale of the prizewinner always draws a great deal of attention, from the serious buyers to the casual onlookers. It is interesting to know that the Supreme Grand Champion and the Reserve Grand Champion Steers of the show must be sold. The reason the owners must sell the champions is to stimulate competition. There can't be a return Grand Champion Steer the next year to stifle the competitors. There has been many a tear shed by youngsters who have groomed and cared for their animal, made him a champion and then, naturally, grieved to have to part with him. continued on page 12 It's love for real. This is a familiar scene in the cow barns. Since its first bovine recollection the boy has been the animal's keeper, provider, and he has administered to his needs at times of illness, and calmed its fears with a soft voice and a gentle touch. It is a grateful creature and loves him and in its way feels no inhibitions about letting him know it.

ANALS CANDID HIGHLIGHTS BY DARWIN VAN CAMPEN EXCEPT THOSE OTHERWISE CREDITED The Arizona National is programmed for constant action through 4 indoor and outdoor sales rings and 4 show rings.

The Show Is A Jewel Of Big Business Alive With A Sparkle Of Its Own Human and Animal Interest Facetry For the horse fancier and rodeo buff there are action packed days of judging and competition, with everything from team roping to barrel racing, from working horse to pleasure riding.

ARIZONA NATIONAL from page 9

The quarter horse belongs to a livestock show because he has long been recognized and accepted by the cattleman and rancher as the horse that fits all range needs. His disposition, his sturdiness, and ability to work with cattle make him invalu-able for ranching. Therefore, no livestock show is complete without an equal emphasis placed on this aspect.

The Arizona National Livestock Show is a Class A Quarter Horse Show, and last year had entries from twenty-one states plus Canada. Class A Shows require more than 225 entries.

Some of the top ropers in the Rodeo Cowboy Association were contestants in the rodeo events. The varied competition included such things as calf and steer roping, cloverleaf barrel racing, bareback bronc riding, goat tying, father and son tying, jumping, etc. The girls were there, too, in nearly all rodeo and riding events, and they were great.

One of the evening horsemanship entertainments was college team roping, with Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University teams represented. This had all the excitement and color of a college sporting event.

Mighty mechanical giants were displayed for the viewer to demonstrate the advances made in agricultural equipment. New and improved tractors, combines, pickers and irrigation equipment made one realize what a highly complex and technical field the agricultural and cattle industry has become. This display makes one appreciate and better understand what it takes to make possible all the food products in this nation.

Of particular interest to us was the Cutter Pharmaceutical Products display. Among the common diseases affecting the beef industry are Anthrax, Blackleg, Shipping Fever, Brucellosis and Leptospirosis. As with humans, preventive medicine plays an important role, and many diseases can be controlled or prevented by the use of vaccines. Qualified veterinarians are continuously on the alert to prevent outbreaks and serve their community through help and advice to youth groups, farmers, ranchers, feedlots and packers.

All the animals presented at a livestock show must bear certified immunization records and undergo examinations conducted and supervised by responsible veterinarians.

An interesting contrast to this modern-day industry was a pen of the fabled Longhorns. As you stand along the fence looking through to these animals, your environment and surroundings are excluded and your thoughts are focused on a chapter of your American heritage. Seeing the offspring of pioneer cattle gives a nostalgic feeling for the history of the old West. Remembrances and illusions of those days of wide-open ranges, dusty, month long cattle drives, bawling calves, big roundups, shivering cowboys drinking fireside coffee just prior to daylight and the whoops and hollers and "shoot 'em up" episodes of cattle rustling flash through one's mind.

All sizes were there, from a young calf to a giant of an animal that looks as if it had as its ancestor some prehistoric creature. All are equipped with their unmistakable trademark, a pair of long, action-filled horns resembling a lazy S curve sprouting from their rawboned heads.