I glance at the other familiar faces, all confident, like any other show. They’ve done this before. I stood in this exact spot just a few short hours ago, not knowing we would return here now. I have never shown among the best of the best before. 

 

I pace back and forth, from one end of the cow to the other. The top animals from every breed stand around, all ready to compete again for Supreme Champion of the Junior Show.

 

Am I really the best person for this? Someone else could show her better. Thoughts and what-ifs spiral as I pace. I grip the halter tighter with every minute that passes. What if she acts up? What if I forget what to do? 

 

A month ago, no one would have thought we’d stand here getting ready to walk into the ring to show for Supreme Champion of the Junior show. I can hardly believe that just a month ago, she was a whirlwind of energy, spinning circles around me on the biggest stage we’ve ever shown on. Now, she stands calm and steady at my side, as if she knows what's at stake. 

 

The overhead lights blaze, and the bright green shavings glow, reflecting off the ground. They amplify the surrealness of the moment. 

 

The announcer's voice rings in the distance: “We are ready to begin the presentation of our Junior Show champions for the 2023 show. At the gate ready to come in are—” His voice blurs, fading into the background as my thoughts take over. 

 

How did we even make it this far? Do we really have a shot at winning this?

 

My chest tightens, and my breath quickens as I watch the class before ours line up and begin their walk-in. My knees shake back and forth as I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans. I watch everyone closely, afraid I will not know what to do once I step foot in the ring. I’ve done this a million times before, but why am I panicking that something will go wrong now? 

 

What if I forget how to set her up properly? Or how to walk beside her?

 

The ring helper ushers everyone to begin lining up to go in. The top animals from each of the seven breeds line up alphabetically. My heart races. My hands tremble, gripping the lead rope as we get into line. The shavings sink, squishing beneath my feet with every step we take. Walking in a rhythmic pattern, steady as a heartbeat, we make our way forward in the lineup. Even she can sense the difference. We wait in line, patiently waiting for them to announce my name to go in. 

 

My dad leans in and asks, "Are you ready?” 

 

In my head, I think, absolutely not—there’s no way I will ever be ready to step out there. But instead, I nod and give a short “Yep.” With a gentle tug on the halter, we step into the ring. 

 

We move slowly in line to the other end. One foot in front of the other, I grip the lead rope tighter and try to steady my breath. The bright lights glare overhead, illuminating the arena and magnifying the moment. I glance over to the judges lined up against the wall and then back to the cow in front of me. 

 

I focus closely on the ring helpers as they signal to each exhibitor once we reach the end of the ring to make a short turn, heading back in the other direction. 

 

Follow in line and stop a couple of feet behind him. The ring helper positions us straight down the middle of the ring, head to tail, allowing all of the judges and the crowd to see the appearance and get a clear observation of each animal. 

 

Set her up straight, my dad’s voice echoes in my head. Back left leg slightly forward, hold her head up higher— just like that.

 

I make eye contact with the ring help. Turn and face the other direction. 

 

I slightly tug on the halter to slowly make the turn the other way. 

 

Quick, set her up again, my dad's voice repeats the same directions. 

 

I take a deep breath as we wait to hear the final results from the announcer. The judges have made their final decision. 

 

“We will announce the Supreme Champion, followed by Reserve and Honorable Mention, in that order.”

 

The judges head back to the wall, eagerly awaiting the final results. In this moment, winning or losing no longer matters. It’s about the journey— the work, the perseverance—that brought us here. 

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