Providence Academy Student Shows to Win

(June 16^th, 2008) – Providence Academy sophomore student, Joseph O’Sullivan, is deeply involved in an extra-curricular activity unique amongst his peers on the suburban Plymouth campus.  For the past five years O’Sullivan has been mastering the art of showing Shorthorn cattle.

O’Sullivan, who resides in Maple Lake, casually describes showing to those unfamiliar as, “mainly a cattle beauty pageant.”  He is very modest about the huge responsibility and dedication it takes to show, break, groom, and train a winning heifer or steer.

Just as in dog showing, cattle come in varying breeds or types, and show in differing weights and age classes.  They begin a show by appearing amongst other animals of the same breed, gender, age and division, or weight class.  Winners are named at different levels of competition, with the ultimate goal of being selected Grand Champion.

In discussing what a judge looks for in an animal O’Sullivan said, “Judges want heifers to look feminine, to be long and deep, smooth through the shoulders and have a small brisket, or lower chest area.  The way they move is important, too,” he continued, “The heifer should step her back feet into the same places that her front feet occupied.”  In judging males, officials look for proper height, muscle tone, and overall shape among other characteristics.

In order to prepare a heifer or steer for showing they need meticulous care.  The cattle are washed and brushed daily.  To enhance their appearance, O’Sullivan keeps his cattle in a barn with cool temperatures to help aid in the growth of the animal’s coat.  “They stay inside at all times, unless outside temperatures are low, like in the winter,” he said.  Practice is important, too.  O’Sullivan regularly works with the animals on their movement and technique by walking them as if they were in a show ring and setting them up using a tool of the trade called a show stick.

O’Sullivan has enjoyed growing success in the show ring on both the 4H and National circuits.  While humbly regarding his success, O’Sullivan has earned Grand Champion wins with his heifers at nationally renowned livestock shows including Kansas City’s American Royal, Louisville’s North American International Livestock Exposition and Denver’s National Western Stock Show.  Amongst numerous in-state wins O’Sullivan took home the title of Supreme Champion Heifer at the Minnesota State Fair. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun,” O’Sullivan said.

At the end of June, O’Sullivan will travel back to Kansas City for the National Shorthorn Association’s Junior Show and Conference.  When asked about future competitions O’Sullivan, alluded to the ups and downs of showing, “It’s hard to tell if you’ll win, sometimes,” he explains, “At one show you are the Grand Champion, and at the next you can be beat by a heifer you’ve won against before.  But it is always exciting!"

Joseph O’Sullivan of Maple Lake appears with his Supreme Champion heifer at the North American International Livestock Competition.

Joseph O’Sullivan is shown preparing the harness on his heifer prior to entering the show ring.  

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