More than the show ring

Raising sheep doesn’t stop when school gets out for Parker Howard. His afternoons bring another set of responsibilities — feeding, leg care, conditioning and repeated practice with animals that depend on him. 

The eighth grader has grown up around livestock projects, first helping his brothers and cousins before participating in peewee showmanship and eventually finding his place with sheep. Now, the routine has become part of everyday life as he prepares for increasingly competitive shows. 

“I’ve always been around this lifestyle, and I loved it,” Howard said. 

Several times a week, Howard works on the sheep’s leg care before moving them through a walker and treadmill. Other days allow more time for conditioning and show practice, where consistency matters for both handler and animal. 

That process also requires patience, particularly when an animal first arrives and has not adjusted to being handled or trained. Howard said progress comes gradually, making the relationship between exhibitor and animal as important as the work itself. 

“They’re not going to learn really fast like humans,” Howard said. “You have to have a lot of patience for them.” 

Howard recently put that work to the test at the Doña Ana County Fair, competing in the Grand Drive with a homebred Dorset. 

“Going into the Grand Drive, I wasn’t expecting a place at all,” Howard said. “But then I got fifth overall with my Dorset that was homebred, and I was really proud of that moment.” 

The ribbons, however, represent only a fraction of what goes into exhibiting livestock. Las Cruces High School agriculture teacher and FFA adviser Raul Perea said students can invest hundreds of hours before an animal ever enters competition, including preparation, shearing, travel and work outside normal school hours. 

Balancing that schedule with school can mean early mornings and weekends away, Perea said, requiring support from teachers and administrators who understand the commitment involved. Despite the time involved, he said the experience and eventual reward make the effort worthwhile. 

That responsibility for Howard remains even when motivation doesn’t. Animals still need food, water and care regardless of how the day has gone — a lesson he said has reinforced the discipline required to raise them. 

“No matter if you’re having a bad day, or if you’re sick, you have to get up and feed them because they are completely dependent on us,” Howard said. “We are the ones that have to come feed them, water them and just make sure they’re doing good and healthy.” 

FFA’s lessons extend beyond animal care. Sydney Lundberg, an agriculture teacher at Zia Middle School, said the program introduces younger students to leadership, personal growth and opportunities within the agriculture industry while building a foundation they can carry into high school. 

She has seen that development firsthand with Howard. Lundberg described him as one of the program’s hardest-working students. 

“Even just having him last year, just starting off on public speaking, he has grown so much,” Lundberg said. “Just in his confidence and the way he is able to speak and articulate what he wants to express.” 

Livestock competitions themselves test different skills. Howard said traditional classes focus on the animal’s physical qualities, while showmanship turns the attention toward the exhibitor and how well the student handles and presents the animal. 

The experience has also created a community beyond competition. Howard said fairs have introduced him to new people willing to lend a hand, something he would emphasize to younger students interested in getting involved. 

“Try to make a lot of friends,” Howard said. “People at the fair, they will help you if you’re nice to them.” 

Perea sees that commitment extend well beyond competition day.  

“We’re growing — not only are we growing the animals, we’re growing the kids,” Perea said. “One helps the other grow as a leader, as a professional, as a steward and agriculturalist.” 

Howard’s attention is already shifting toward the next challenge, especially with the Southern New Mexico State Fair approaching 

“There’s going to be a lot more competition and a lot more people there, too,” Howard said. “For this month, we’re going to work with these animals a lot harder. We’re going to push them so they’re going to perform with me well when I come into the ring.” 

The next trip into the ring will come after another stretch of feeding, conditioning and practice — the same routine that began long before anyone was there to watch.