By Maggie Edwards 

Ferris wheels, cotton candy and funnel cakes are highlights for most attendees of the Alabama National Fair (ANF) in Montgomery. For the 163 youth livestock exhibitors, however, the main attraction was the show ring.   

Take Montgomery County’s Ashbee Norman. The 18 year old has been exhibiting cattle at the ANF since she was 9. 

“My sister, mom and grandfather all showed cattle,” Norman said. “This was something I grew up around and knew I wanted to do. Now, I have grown to love it.”

Norman was one of many who entered the show ring during the ANF Oct. 3-14 to exhibit prize-winning livestock. Species included goats, beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep and swine. The annual shows are sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance.

“I’m a very competitive person,” Norman said. “I love the competitive atmosphere that showing cattle displays. The friends, family and life lessons you learn along the way are things that you’ll never find anywhere else.” 

Sportsmanship is key for the show ring, said Norman, whose poise and familiarity with her animal earned her the reserve champion title during senior beef showmanship. Her Red Angus heifer scored a division win, too. 

“When we step onto the shavings, we are all competing against each other,” said Norman, who plans to attend Auburn University and pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. “When we step out of that ring, we’re all best friends. It’s a family atmosphere. We help each other and support each other.” 

Cullman County’s Easton Elrod echoed Norman, stating he enjoyed time with friends at the fairgrounds.

“I had a lot of fun getting to show my goats and sheep,” said Elrod, 10. “I practice walking and setting up my animals every night at the barn.”

Elrod is a champion who overcame adversity in 2023. He suffered a severe leg break that kept him from participating in last year’s show season.

Now, he’s back and better than ever. Just ask judges of the youth goat and sheep shows. Elrod walked away as grand champion in both species’ junior showmanship contests.

“It didn’t feel good missing the show last year,” said Elrod, who exhibited the reserve champion market wether in the youth goat show. “It felt great to get to show again this year.” 

That joy makes the investment worthwhile, said the Federation’s Colton Christjohn.

“The Federation is dedicated to serving youth in the livestock industry,” said Christjohn, who directs the organization’s involvement in livestock shows. “Showing livestock is a gateway into agriculture. These kids are our future, and we’re proud to support them.”