JaCee Dvorak competed in the South Dakota Junior Hereford Association Field Days on June 8th in Sioux Falls. She showed her Hereford heifer named Sophia and steer named Carlos in the competition. JaCee was awarded Grand Champion Senior Showmanship with her show Hereford heifer, Sophia. With winning this title, JaCee was awarded a beautiful belt buckle.

Cattle showing runs deep in JaCee’s family roots. Her dad, Boyd, showed cattle when he was younger; his passion and experience sparked interest in both of JaCee’s sisters, Sydney and Maesa, along with herself. JaCee grew up with the sights and sounds of the barn where she was taught the ropes of caring for and showing cattle. Her upbringing around cattle has instilled a deep appreciation for the livestock industry and a strong bond with the animals themselves. JaCee is proud to be a part of a tradition that has woven itself into the fabric of her family life, connecting them all through shared experiences and a common love for the art of cattle showing.

JaCee has been involved in the showing of cattle since she was seven years old. During the past twelve-year journey of showing cattle, she has immersed herself in the world of livestock exhibitions which have taught her invaluable lessons in patience, persistence and the art of animal husbandry. Over the years, her passion for showing cattle has only grown stronger fueled by the joy of competing, the comradery with her fellow exhibitors and the continued growth and improvement in her skills. For JaCee, the show season spans from June to September; the summer months allow her to focus on honing her skills and preparing Carlos and Sophia for the various shows and competitions that they will be entering. The show season presents JaCee with an opportunity each day to refine techniques, strengthen bonds with her animals and strive for excellence in the ring.

When asked what she enjoys about showing cattle, JaCee’s response was that showing is a highly enriching experience for her on multiple levels. She immensely loves the competition aspect enjoying the fact that she can display her hard work and skills for the judges. She also loves the sense of community that comes from being a part of showing cattle. Being able to meet like-minded individuals, sharing stories and building long lasting friendships are a huge part of the experience for JaCee. For JaCee “…showing isn’t just about competing; it’s about the profound satisfaction of pushing myself to excel, connecting with others that share her passion, and evolving both personally and professionally through every experience”.

When it comes to getting prepared for a show, it takes meticulous planning and dedicated effort. The first step is selecting and training the right cattle. When selecting a show calf several factors come into play with the most important part being the animal’s conformation or overall physical body structure. Then the real work begins. JaCee then has to focus on their grooming, nutrition, and health to ensure that the cattle are in optimal condition. It requires regular grooming sessions to keep their coats clean and shiny. These sessions focus on the grooming which includes regular washing, brushing and trimming to enhance the animal’s coat, shine and overall appearance. When it comes to the actual training in showmanship techniques working on leading and posing helps the cattle present well in the show ring. Equipment is another part of the process which includes items such as halters, grooming supplies, and transportation that have to be intricately prepared and maintained. JaCee likes to arrive early on show days to make sure that her cattle are relaxed and ready for competition. Throughout the day their appearance and demeanor are maintained in order to be successful. There is no slacking even after a show. JaCee knows that it is important to be diligent in monitoring their health and adjusting their routine to maintain their fitness and readiness for future competitions.

JaCee has been working with Carlos since October and Sophia since March. She has poured countless hours into the effort that has gone into their training and care. Training them for different shows has been both a challenge and a privilege that has required patience, dedication, and a deep bond of trust between both her and her Herefords. This show marked the debut of Sophia in the cattle showing world. Even though it was only their first show together, JaCee could not have been happier with their performance and the bond that the two have developed.

When it comes to actually showing the cattle, there are many steps that JaCee goes through during the actual showing process. Besides getting to the event early, JaCee finalizes the grooming of the cattle, ensures that the cattle are comfortable and mentally prepares the animals for the showing. During the competition, JaCee showcases the cattle’s strengths such as the animal’s strength and movement, aiming to impress the judges with the animal’s presentation and demeanor. When it comes to animal showing, the judges evaluate animals based on several criteria to determine placement and awards. The judging criteria includes conformation, breed characteristics, grooming and presentation. Conformation assesses the overall structure, balance, and proportionality of the cow which means checking the shape and alignment of legs, depth of ribs, length and shape of loin, and overall muscling. For breed characteristics, judges are looking at color patterns, horn shape, and other distinctive traits outlined in breed standards. Not only are the animals judged, but the showman herself plays a big role in placement. JaCee is judged on her body position, attitude, how her animal behaves and how JaCee reacts to the different behaviors of her cattle.

This show season, JaCee is most looking forward to the Junior National Hereford Exposition which will be held in Grand Island, NE July 6th-12th. Not only does the competition offer JaCee an opportunity to compete at one of the highest levels in the show cattle competition, but also allows her to reunite with friends that she has made throughout the years. JaCee is grateful for the experiences that have shaped her both as a competitor and as a person. She looks forward to many more years of pursuing her passion for showing cattle. JaCee can continue to compete in the Junior Hereford Association until she is 21.

Congratulations JaCee on Sophia and your first show title. Best of luck on the rest of your competition season!