My Betrayal List
1. Ik it’s stupid but like reallyyyy. Or when I had my giant spit gilt & they ask if she’s pregnant or they call her chunky/fluffy. Like be nice bro
2. I HATE county fair. There’s the fair Karen’s and the banner chasers that throw tantrums
3. I HATE when shows don’t include that I have to walk across pavement or rocks/gravel. Like my pigs feet are literally padded like dog paws. It’s makes them rough. Or it’s super hot out so it burns their feet
4. I hate when another pig in general rubs up against my pig. It’s like keep a distance; I don’t want diseases passed around or dye on my pig or let alone poop on my leg or pig- it’s disgusting.
5. I hate to see really bad paint/adhesive jobs on pigs. It’s super visible. That’s why I let my goat friend mess with there dye or adhesive bc it looks cleaners plus I’ve let her twin their legs before lol
6. I had a judge talk my spot gilt up throughout her classes & then wouldn’t place me in top 6th. It’s annoying. Once I had a judge knew the breeder (aka they were business partners/besties) that my pig was from & called me out saying he wasn’t gonna place me all weekend up him & he didn’t.
7. I love a good purebred & crossbred but I really hate when a crossbred wins in the overall. It’s usually 1st & 2nd & then it goes to purebred, I just wanna see a purebred win throughout a drive all weekend like pleaseeee
8. I love fun colors & patterns but keep it in showmanship. It gets distracting during market
9. There is a thing as too much intensity. Aka my hot take is that Karis Dadson isn’t that good. Krew j is better in my opinion bc he doesn’t have that much intensity- he puts himself in the crowd vs karis who only has intensity. I’ll make a post about that bc that’s a different topic
9. Judges that don’t interact are the worst. Like be in gaged with the kids. Or the judges that are only looking for one thing and not the flaws. Or the impractical stuff like one time a county fair judge picked a senior that just graduated bc she couldn’t show anymore. But she was AWFUL. Like no joke she wasn’t cut to be grand. Neither was second she had her hand mainly on the pig. I should’ve been 1st because of how I was truly showing myself as a showman, not those two girls. Not bias but everyone was saying the same thing at the end of showmanship
Participating in show pig competitions can be both rewarding and frustrating, especially when dealing with unexpected challenges. One common issue raised by exhibitors is the lack of consideration for their pigs' well-being when navigating the show grounds. Walking across pavement, rocks, or gravel can stress the pigs’ padded feet and even cause burns in hot weather – a factor sometimes overlooked by fair organizers and judges alike. Another frequent betrayal highlighted is the inconsistency in judging practices. Exhibitors often feel discouraged when judges give compliments during showing but fail to place their pigs accordingly, or worse, appear biased due to personal relationships with breeders. This sense of unfairness can deeply affect the competitive experience, especially when a purebred pig is passed over in favor of crossbred animals for overall wins. Many exhibitors hope to see purebreds succeed consistently to maintain breed standards in competition. Showmanship itself can suffer from external distractions, such as overly flashy paint or pattern colors on pigs during market events, which can detract from the exhibitor’s skill and focus. Furthermore, the intensity level displayed by some competitors or commentators might overshadow the actual showing, leading to debates about what constitutes effective showmanship. Interpersonal interactions also play a significant role; encounters with difficult attendees, called 'fair Karen’s' or 'banner chasers,' can sour the experience for many. Additionally, contact between pigs—whether accidental or from inattentive handlers—can spread diseases or cause contamination with paint and waste, issues that exhibitors find both unhygienic and frustrating. Tips from experienced exhibitors include allowing trusted friends to handle delicate tasks like adhesive or paint application to ensure a cleaner appearance and minimizing unnecessary pig-to-pig contact during shows. Engaged judges who interact positively with young participants and consider all aspects of the pig, including any flaws, are highly valued for creating a fair and encouraging environment. Overall, the world of show pig competitions is vibrant but not without its trials. Exhibitors share these common 'betrayals' hoping to create awareness and foster improvements so that future shows can be both fun and fair for everyone involved.