Here to Help

As a child, I had my fair share of ups and downs in my career as a showman, what showman doesn't. When I decided that coaching was what I wanted to do to give back to all those who had helped me.
I have had a fair amount of success in the show ring, I don't need to list my successes to prove that. I am here to help, I have been out of showing as a junior for five years.  I love the kids and have a passion for helping them reach their goals.  I was approached to assist in helping some local starter 4-Hers in learn the basics of daily care, and show day preparations. I was thrilled. We have things all planned out and have named the event appropriately.  The Showman to Showman Clinic is just that, past showman helping current and future showman. This is not a mandatory event for anyone, this is a choice to take advantage of people willing to donate their time to help the kids learn.  It is open to any and all 4-Hers, bring your calves, get hands on experience.  There is no shame in asking questions.
The expert at anything was once a beginner, and we help the littles because we were once little and many helped us.
We are looking forward to welcoming so many volunteers and experts to help us with a fantastic day of learning.
Fitting & Clipping : Cameron Alexander- Alexander Show Cattle
Feed/Nutrition/Supply Information: Melissa Alexander - Alexander Show Feeds
Daily Care/Showmanship: Kayla Alexander - K.A. Livestock Services
Facility Sponsor: Clinton County Ag. Society
Thank you to Karla Dean and her family for approaching us about
Check out the website for more information. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call/text/email us at any time.
kalivestockservice@gmail.com
showmantoshowman@gmail.com
(937)302-0073

Register online at www.showmantoshowman.com

Goals

So it's now February, and I heard somewhere this week is when most that survived starting their goals fail. Not sure why. It takes twenty- one days to create a new habit, so let's stop giving up. We have the will and the ability to create anything we put our minds to.

That brings me to the point of this months blog post. Goals. I was sitting at a High School gymnastics meet last week when all of this hit me. Of course I have set goals all of my life, some I have achieved, some I am still working towards and some just flat weren't in God's plan. So anyway, I am sitting there and some parents in front of me turned around and were chatting, small talk and asking which school I was with etc., when I told them I wasn't a parent, but a coach in another area for one of the competing gymnasts.  You, see earlier in the day I talked to one of my student's mothers, she informed me that she couldn't attend the meet, without hesitation I said well I will go. Now obviously I can't make everything that my kiddos do outside of showing livestock, but if I have their schedules I do try.

Why you ask? Why spend my time, money, and effort to go watch these kids do something that has nothing to do with showing livestock. Well here's why, because my goal is to be livestock coach, to impact these kids lives, and to make a difference. My goal is to help these families, whether it is giving a child their start in 4-H; helping a kid that has hit struggles in the show ring; or just giving general guidance.

One thing I remember my parents always pushing was they, were raising showmen, but they were also raising well rounded kids, that right there is why I put my time, money, and effort into everything these kids do.  They set goals, and I build my goals around what they are doing.

This world is in constant turmoil, I heard a judge say just today while judging three and four year olds in showmanship:"Maybe if more people were putting their kids here our world wouldn't be such a mess." So, the next time you have someone question why you spend your "free" time running your kids all over the country to 4-H meetings, shows, sports practices, and meets remember why you do this, for them. To make them the best possible human being you can. God Bless our freedom to be able to do the things we love, and the ability to give our kids every opportunity they choose.

Thank you for all the family's that have stood by us for the last three years as KALS continues to grow.  We hope that we can continue service your needs.  If you haven't started your journey with KALS contact us today at kalivestockservice@gmail.com or at 937-302-0073.

Why do we do what we do?

Sorry for the silence the last few months life happens!

So as I have thought about all the things that I could post about this week I have had many things on my mind, all the amazing strides my kids made this year.  I could tell you about all of the wins and the success, but something changed my mind as I sat down to write this morning I popped onto Facebook was cruising through when I found Jean's Boots are Made for Walking and this amazing article she wrote http://jeansboots.blogspot.com/2015/06/coach-character.html .

I am a showmanship coach, people pay me to help their kids.  Let's face it, as kids our parents knew nothing about anything, especially when it came to livestock! That being said I try to bridge that gap, but there are so many times that I stand back and watch things like Jean is talking about happen, and it isn't just in the show ring.

So let me ask you all something (this goes to kids, parents, and supporters).  Why do you show and raise livestock?  Why do you play sports?

"What is the one thing that stood out the most to you?"

I sat in a leadership meeting tonight, a room of probably thirty people, of which I knew three.  Listening to a pitch from a school teacher making six figures on top of his annual salary.  Now I know someone out there reading this going, what in the world does this have to do with Livestock coaching; to answer you nothing and everything.  I am working constantly to reach my goals, to make my dreams of being a full time coach, mentor, and business owner a  full blown reality.  When we left the meeting one of my coaches said to me what was the one thing that stood out to you tonight, this is not the first time you have heard the information.  I said reiteration, while not always necessary helps, hearing the same information from different people sometimes portrays a different message, but the one thing that stood out to me tonight and even kind of smacked me in the face was it all comes down to the kind of people you surround yourself with.  This group of people wants to build relationships with you, friendships, mentorships.  They want to help you help others. 

So, there is the nothing part of what that has to do with livestock coaching.  Here is the everything part.  From the time I was a small child my parents always taught me that they had eyes in the back of their heads, and while that isn't exactly true, it is true that I can not go anywhere to this day that I don't know someone.  My actions, my every move reflects not only me, but my family.  Have I always made the best, most perfect decisions, no.  But, no matter where I go I have people I look up to and I have people who look up to me.

Now, for having not posted in a while this may seem very random.  It is. But, while I haven't been posting blogs, tweeting, or posting on facebook I have still been here.  An active summer of coaching, a great group of kids reaching goals, making things happen that at one point or another they told me couldn't happen.  Where this all comes full circle is right here.  I am a showmanship coach because I was that kid, mom told me things while I heard her I may not have always listened.  She paid coaches, mentors, and jockey's  along the way to send me the same message in a different format that I would listen and hear.  We all have challenges in life.  I am in a challenging time in life, there are ups and downs,  I would be no where if it weren't for the young people that I look forward to working with in the future, as well as the ones that I have the opportunity to work with now, and for the ones that you have left because you have it all figured out, good luck.  I truly wish you all the best, because after twenty years in the livestock business and twenty-six and a half years in life I am no where close! 

As we kick off a new year, I want to say thank you to all of my 2014-2015 customers.  Those of you that will be continuing on with me for '15-'16 I am so excited for our adventures.  They won't all be easy, we will have good and bad days, but I can promise you this with this team of people you won't face anything alone. 
If you haven't heard about the program I encourage you to visit our website at www.kalivestockservices.com or give me a call today to set up an appointment to see how we can help you.  

Thank you again for all of your support!

Making it a Successful New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

It's been a little while since I last posted, but that is because things have been so amazingly busy.  I want to start by thanking you, my readers, whether you are my current student or parents of or you just follow along to see where this crazy journey takes us - thank you.  You guys are my outlet for bouncing ideas and sharing the excitement of my students.  There are only so many times I can tell them that I am proud of them, but man am I proud.  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and I wish you and your families a healthy and Happy New Year.  

As I said in the beginning things have been busy.  We started the show season here in Ohio Thanksgiving weekend and the kids came out swinging.  My littlest showmen met all her goals by say attached to both her heifers in both rings and even in showmanship.  Brooklynn is not new to the show ring in fact at 8 she has been showing with some assistance for four years, but going out the first time alone and conquering two heifers that were less desirably behaving when you way less than a bag of feed is a big win in our book! Avery, my jokester of the bunch.  What an amazing kid he's smart, he works hard, he's funny, and you couldn't get him fired up if you paid him.  He was around the team last year and showed a heifer a couple of times, but this year he has his own heifer to show and is doing great.  He has some obstacles to overcome, but which one of us hasn't in life. We are very excited to have Avery with us this year and look forward to watch him continue to get better. Olivia, this is her second year with me, she was my stand out most improved last year and did awesome. For those of you that have been around this a long time you understand what I mean when I say Olivia has been battling a wall this year, especially in showmanship.  She has two heifers that have each been challenging in their own way, as well as making a jump in showmanship divisions. She is on the edge of making the big break, I know she doesn't believe me but she is right there. Next there is my Abby, she came to us last year and had a slow start, but closed out with a pretty awesome season.  She started this year with a bang. I am so proud of her and Olivia, they are the leaders of the group they help with the younger kids and set great examples for them.  Jake, is another one that made huge improvements last year as it went on. He, like Olivia has faced challenges this year, but after week two of being out we are seeing improvements in both him and the steer which is awesome. I also have to give Jake props because he has also been taking care of his sister Barbara's steer while she's been away at college.  He definitely got that one right for her.  Barbara is always my sweet smile, I haven't gotten to spend as much time with her this year, but she always has a warm smile and is so good with the livestock. I am excited that we have added three new students to the group starting with the new year. Caden, who hasn't show cattle before but in the time we have spent together is going to be quite the natural and has a lot of potential.  Tori and Quinton, I am adding to assist with perfecting and making changes as they hit different bench marks in their show careers.

This is the point where I completely melt over this group of kids.  They are building friendships, they are working together, they are sweet and fun to be around.  I don't have kids of my own, but I know that I can only pray mine turn out half as good as this group.

Lesson for this post never give up, never let it get under your skin, just do you.  These kids take on a lot they excel in school, they keep their grades up and many of them it is a stipulation put in place by their parents that in order to attend a show they must keep their grades up. (Thank you to my mom who always pushed us on that front).  At any given point it would be easy for them to "give-up" or say "I can't" (a forbidden term in my world).  They have been defeated in the ring and in the classroom and in life.  They have also had their successes.  It is most important that no matter what happens these kids never give up.  The other challenge that this group faces is that they watch each other in their successes and failures and figure out how to pick each other up.

In 2015 the KALS family will be continuing to grow.  Be sure to watch for www.kalexanderlivestockservices.com to go live. We will be continuing to spotlight this group of kids that have gotten me going, but the future of KALS will be available for viewing.  Come visit us at any of the Ohio BEST shows this winter, and as Birthday's and holidays come up throughout the year remember to give the gift of showmanship coaching in the form of a gift certificate.  In 2015 resolve to become a better showman, call K.A. Livestock Services today!

Fresh Start

Sometimes in life we reach a point where we beg to get a fresh start, a new outlook on life.  Whether it is in our jobs or with the situations we are in.  Livestock kids know this feeling the best.  Whether it is selling that one that has been the sweetest and the most fun to go work with and it just about breaking your heart. Or it is turning that show heifer out to pasture to be a cow that has been the biggest pain since you started showing her at three months old.  We all have those and life throws those moments at us each day.  2014 had been a crazy blur in a lot of cases, and there are many memories I would just assume leave here, but at the same time the great memories are here too.  Each moment you get a fresh start and if you mentally decide that you are going to take the positive route then you choose a fresh start. After the crazy year that it has been here, I have taken some time to really focus on who I am as a person, as a coach, and just in terms of life itself, I have been countlessly reminded how blessed I am.  Whether it is the farm, my amazing family, my readers, my friends, and last but not least my kids.  We each choose our path, I hope that you can find the path less traveled, and sometimes dimly lit, that is the one that will lead you where you want to go.

With that being said, let's get back to this fresh start.  I am so excited about the year that is before us.  I have a great group of kids, we have added new families to the team, and we have added new members to our working side of the team.  We have new and exciting things to come in 2015, but we are going to kick '14 out with a bang.

If you have been struggling, whether it be with your new calf not cooperating just the way that it should or you have been unable to locate that one that fits your operation please contact us.  Whether you are near or far we have options to help make this years goals become reality.  For the kids in my group already, be watching your challenges are coming and if you think I pushed you last year you haven't seen anything yet!

The lesson that is going to go along with this blog is one that is a tough one.  Whether you have grown up around showing livestock or are new to the game there is always some underlying life lesson that you don't even realize is happening until many many years down the road.  One of those is show friendships.

When you travel and show as much as we have over the years there are families that you become close to, families that you stall with every year on the show circuit, or at the county or state fair.  These people become your friends and you find yourselves in "off - season" counting down the days until you see them again every weekend.  This is where the lesson comes in. At the stalls everyone works together, as multiple families travel together you learn when to stay out of the way of the proverbial "family - moment" or when it is good to try to step in and help, but what happens when you show up and they have a calf in the same division as you, or one that you are going to to end up showing in the same class as all year.  Or, you have changed showmanship divisions and suddenly you are showing against each other all weekend long.  How as a young person does that get handled?  Well let me tell you, it isn't easy.  When you walk to the ring side with this friend that you have come so close to you prepare in the same way, when you walk in the ring you go out there to compete the best way you know how, don't worry varying opinions of judges could change the outcome from one ring to the next, and when you come out you congratulate one another and nothing has changed. The key in all of this is never sacrifice your ability to make someone else happy.  Everytime you walk in that ring you drive like it is for the big win.

This is your chance at a fresh start, be sure to give it your all, and contact me for any all of your livestock coaching needs! Be Keeping an eye out for some exciting announcements and changes coming to KALS!

Summer Rush

It was brought to my attention by one of my readers that she was concerned about me because I had been kind of quiet the last few months!  That may be an understatement for me.  My days are consumed by my big kid job and my evenings spent in the barns checking with my kids, or out enjoying the fact that I am 25 healthy, and totally blessed.

I do have to brag on my kids.  The pictures will come later, but I have been blessed with some amazing families to work with.  There were events that transpired differently than we had hoped, there were goals we reached even with our naysayers in our ears telling us there was no way that we could do it. We reached landmarks with some of my kids, we ended careers, but it I would not have changed the journey for anything.

Before I get all sappy, I just want to say that if you are out there and your kids are showing livestock or want to show livestock they have the opportunity to be a part of this too.  I am always taking on new families, whether it is one session or you want to become a part of the K.A. Livestock Service Team, we can find the fit for you.

Results for the 2014 Season as of July 26th

Maine Anjou/ Chianina Junior Nationals
Chi Intermediate Showmanship - Abbey Pitstick
Maine Senior Showmanship - Cameron Alexander & Kaitlyn Carey
Bred & Owned Division - Cameron Alexander
2nd in Class - Abbey Pitstick

Clinton County Fair
Reserve 14 Year Old Sheep Showman - Olivia Wood
Supreme Beef Showman - Olivia Wood
Third Overall Senior Showman - Kaitlyn Carey
Champion Intermediate Showman - Avery Wood
Reserve Grand Champion Homegrown Lamb - Olivia Wood
Reserve Feeder Steer - Kaitlyn Carey
Grand Champion County Raised/ HomeGrown Breeding Heifer - Kaitlyn Carey
Supreme Champion Female (Champion AOB)- Kaitlyn Carey
Reserve Supreme Female (Champion Commercial) - Avery Wood

Fayette County Fair
Supreme Champion Female - Jacob Sears (Raised by Alexander Show Cattle/ Pilot Knob Enterprises)

Ohio State Fair
Grand Champion Bred & Owned Maine Anjou Female - Kaitlyn Carey

Good luck to my "little" (I use the term loosely) brother Cameron and Kaitlyn Carey today in their exhibitions at the Ohio State Fair Open Maine Anjou Show.

If you want to be a part of this contact us at kalivestockservice@gmail.com.

Kaitlyn Carey, you have brought me to tears.  I can't tell you how proud I am of you.  The last seven years with you on our team has been amazing.  This being your final year of 4-H has proven no different.  I know there are some goals we didn't reach, but there have been some that we never dreamed would come and you made them happen.  You have been an absolute joy to have on the team and I hope you stick around even though you are old now.  Kate is a vet student now at the University of Findlay and made both the North American and the National Western Stock show teams for the University. 

Abbigail Pitstick and CKA Darcy - Raised by Cameron Alexander - Alexander Show Cattle/Pilot Knob Ent.  Abbigail has done an amazing job all year with Darcy.  Abbey has never shown anything, and she made the cut at the Chi Junior Nationals this summer as well as worked her way to three top ten finishes in the BEST Program. Thank you to the Pitstick family for all of their hard work, and dedication

Congratulations to the Sears Family this is their second year with me. I am so proud of this young man and his improvement and hard work over the last year! Great job Jake & Stella.  This calf was raised by me out of my last Jr. Maine Anjou, she's a Monopoly x Sooner Son.

Oliva & Avery Wood you guys are awesome.  This family has been friends for years and came to me for assistance when they went from exhibiting sheep to exhibiting beef cattle.  They rocked the BEST program all season and continued it right on into the summer. The Quallen Family was also part of our adventure this winter and Haley was always adding a laugh and 'W' to the team!

I would not change what I do for anything.  Thank you to all of my 2014 Families can't wait to see your pictures next year!