Beyond the Ring to youth who show livestock is similar to what PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association) is to rodeo. It’s a chance for youth who like to show livestock and show in many different shows to sharpen their skills (rather than just one county fair per year) by entering several jackpot shows and earning cumulative points and standings in recognition for their ongoing achievements. The inaugural debut of the program is the 2022 show season.
“Some kids just like to show, and 4-H and FFA are great, but there’s only one county fair opportunity to show your animal in every year. And then heaven help the kid who, for some reason, that day is off his game or his animal doesn’t perform well because he’s only got one shot on one day for everything to come together,” says Will Jaynes of Castleford. “Now, finally, there’s a program offered for kids who really want to become better at showing, and it gives them a chance to practice their skills and be rewarded for it.”
He’s talking about Beyond the Ring Junior Livestock Association (BTRJLA) and its Idaho counterpart, the Idaho Jackpot Show Series (IJSS) – both nonprofit organizations. Jaynes serves on the board of IJSS, that has sanctioned Idaho shows with BTRJLA.
BTRJLA’s website states: When we came up with the idea, we didn’t want it to be just another point-chasing scenario. We wanted to ensure that every BTRJLA member had an equal opportunity to achieve a goal within our association.
Co-founder Dale Hummel of Hummel Livestock in Illinois says, “We have not yet compiled all the youth shows in all the states, but Idaho has all species sponsored, so should be strong. Membership is strong across the country.”
Idaho shows
IJSS is a voluntary nonprofit youth organization focused on kids with a passion for showing livestock in the great state of Idaho. Christy Davies, Dakota Wankier, Alisha Samples, Megan Ost and Will Jaynes are founding board members of the IJSS.
“IJSS is run by a group of Idahoans [who] believe in helping Idaho kids grow and develop through livestock showing,” says Davies.
Idaho is in BTRJLA Region 1 with Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington, so points earned in any sanctioned show in any of those states are aggregated for participants. When asked if points count if exhibitors compete out-of-state, Davies says, “The points structure is being finalized; however, the short answer is yes. Out-of-state kids can be members of IJSS, but we are truly structuring it for the Idaho kids to have more opportunities to show.
This year at the Northwest Junior Livestock Expo [held in Filer, Idaho], we have added the first Idaho Junior Livestock Expo, and this will be Idaho-only youth who can participate. We’re looking to have great prizes and great opportunities for Idaho youth to really show off their projects, develop their showing skills and make great memories. We have an amazing judge lined up for this show, and it is slated to be July 4 (but is not official yet). This show will complete the series for the year. We are really planning for a great turnout and trying to get the word to extension offices, etc., but we need to finalize a few more things first,” Davies says.
She adds, “This will be the third NWJLE, but we added an Idaho-only exhibitor show, as there is no real state fair where all exhibitors can compete head-to-head. This will be the premier show for Idaho kids. The rest of the NWJLE shows are open to the world.”
As of this writing, there are five 2022 sanctioned shows, which includes the IJSS final:
- The Cassia Classic – June 10-12
- Snake River Classic – June 17-19 (goats, sheep, swine only)
- Kootenai Classic Livestock Show – June 16-19
- Northwest Junior Livestock Expo – July 1-4
- Idaho Junior Livestock Expo – July 4
Shows are being added through February. (Visit Rocky Mountain Show Circuit and Beyond the Ring Junior Livestock Association or Idaho Jackpot Show Series Facebook page to see what new shows have been sanctioned.)
Points system
The BTRJLA points system applies to any exhibitor receiving a top 10 placing in a class, with first place receiving 20 points, second place receiving 18 points, etc., and 10th place receiving 2 points. Exhibitors placing 11th or lower are listed on the class results and receive 1 point each. Additional points are: Breed/Division Champion – 10 points; Reserve Breed/Division Champion – 5 points; Grand Overall Champion – 20 points; Reserve Overall Champion – 15 points.
Four age divisions are recognized (age determined Jan. 1): novice (9 and under), junior (10-13), intermediate (14-17), and senior (18-21).
Participating shows
Several shows have already been sanctioned for the Beyond the Ring 2022 season. Idaho is in BTRJLA Region 1 with Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington, so sanctioned shows in any of those states are aggregated for participants.
Major stock shows (National Western Stock Show, Cattlemen’s Congress, American Royal, North American International Livestock Exposition, Arizona National Livestock Show) are open to all exhibitors nationwide and will count double for points.
BTRJLA will recognize four age divisions in the points standings. Ages will be determined as of Jan. 1 of the current points year: novice – (9 years and under), junior (10-13 years), intermediate (14-17 years), senior (18-21 years).
