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Jiles Coble and Ashlyn Reddick show their calves during the Burke County Bird Dog Classic Commercial Dairy Heifer Show.

Jiles Coble and Ashlyn Reddick show their calves during the Burke County Bird Dog Classic Commercial Dairy Heifer Show.

While showing livestock may sound like an interesting hobby, some local “celebrities” had the chance to experience it firsthand and have since developed a greater appreciation for the sport.

Founded five years ago by Shelley Coble and Kim Reddick, the Burke County Bird Dog Classic (BCBDC) Commercial Dairy Heifer Show added a little something extra this year — a celebrity walk in which local community leaders were matched with children across the state to get a crash course on competing in showmanship. In addition to showing the calves, celebrities, which included Burke County High School Principal Dr. Kaveous Preston, Shannon Braswell of Helena Chemical, retired Sheriff Greg Coursey, Johnny Lovett of Lovett Trucking, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ashley Roberts, Sheriff Alfonzo Williams and Farm Bureau President Lee Webster, learned key techniques and information about the child’s livestock project then had to cite and answer questions about it to the judge.

Local “celebrities” paired up with youth during the Bird Dog Classic. They are, from left, Shannon Braswell of Helena Chemical (female showmanship winner), Farm Bureau President Lee Webster, Johnny Lovett of Lovett Trucking Company, Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams, Burke County High School Principal Dr. Kaveous Preston, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ashley Roberts and retired Sheriff Greg Coursey (male showmanship winner).

Local “celebrities” paired up with youth during the Bird Dog Classic. They are, from left, Shannon Braswell of Helena Chemical (female showmanship winner), Farm Bureau President Lee Webster, Johnny Lovett of Lovett Trucking Company, Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams, Burke County High School Principal Dr. Kaveous Preston, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ashley Roberts and retired Sheriff Greg Coursey (male showmanship winner).

Roberts, who worked with an animal weighing in at nearly 500 pounds, said the experience was both exciting and intimidating, especially when her calf decided to run away from her. “It certainly gives you an appreciation for all the work these young people put into it.”

Coursey, who was crowned the winner in male showmanship, agreed. “I didn’t know how much time and work go into grooming the calves or how the kids actually train the calves to show them off,” he said, giving all the credit to the child he worked with. “She actually won this, but I had fun with her and her calf. I learned a lot about what they do, and that cows don’t have top teeth! Shelley really works hard with these kids, and it shows.”

The celebrity walk was just one of the ways to get individuals to understand what’s involved in showing livestock, particularly the calves. “There is a lot of time invested and dedication involved to make the project and program successful,” Coble said, recalling how she and Reddick met through their same-aged children. The idea for the BCBDC came shortly after. “Our kids were in 4H. I raise Boer goats and got them involved. We started with a passion for animals and enjoyed the camaraderie and watching the kids succeed. My kids started showing dairy, and the Reddicks fell in love with it also.”

Both women say putting on that first show was scary.

“ We wondered, ‘ Would anyone come?’” Coble said, adding that she’s watched it grow over the past five years while also witnessing its participants become remarkable presenters. “The children prepare their dairy projects starting back in late October of the previous year, taming and teaching their calf to lead while building patience. They are in charge of nutrition and care of the calf; the kids wash and groom them in order to showcase their animal.” She explained there are different ways to “show” the animals and that judges look for how well they work together with their calves, how well they groom them and how well they know both the strengths and faults of their projects. When the animal is exhibited, the judge chooses the most correct and complete animal without many faults.

Participants also learn time management, nutrition, general health care and maintenance for the animals, while building lifelong friendships and earning scholarships and experience that prepares them for Agrelated jobs.

“My favorite thing about showing is the people you meet along the way and the responsibility it gives you to prepare you later in life,” said competitor Keshon Winns, a junior at BCHS who began showing dairy calves in the sixth grade. “One of the biggest things that I have learned is that you should never give up and that the next weekend there will be another show.”

Sydney Coble, who has been showing for nearly eight years, said it’s definitely not always about winning. “It’s pretty cool when you do, but it’s also about making new friends and having fun, even though it is very hard work and lots of hours involved.”

BCHS freshman Ashlyn Reddick said choosing to start showing is the best decision she’s ever made. “You learn so many lessons, and the biggest one being responsibility. You are responsible for a living creature that totally depends on you. You are responsible for the feed, water and care for it, and it’s a lot of hard work but it’s all worth it in the end. I will forever be grateful for the life lessons that I have learned through this journey.”

Competitors in this year’s BCBDC featured children from all over the state, in grades fourth through 12th, and aside from Burke County, included Elbert, Hall, Jasper, Madison, Oglethorpe and Washington- Wilkes counties. Thanks to the support of its sponsors, the BCBDC awarded $3,000 in cash and prizes. They are in the planning stages of awarding scholarships for seniors at future shows.

“Like anything worth having in life, it’s hard work,” Coble said, “but if you’re dedicated, the reward is seeing these kids go on to become productive professionals and give back to the communities that helped them succeed.”

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