BEAUMONT, Texas — It's not a rodeo without the livestock show and cowgirls and cowboys from across the country made their way the YMBL South Texas State Fair to show off their prized livestock.
Getting the livestock ready for Saturday's show takes a lot of patience and very long hours.
"It's in our blood and we've been doing it for years. It's something we wake up for every morning and look forward to doing," said Lanna Hensgens of J & L Cattle Services.
Cowboys and cowgirls loaded up their cattle hoping to win best in show.
"We love Beaumont it's a really laid back, really chill show," Hensgens said.
Hensgens and her family have been showing off their cattle at the state fair for the past 10 years. While getting the animals from Rayne, Louisiana to Beaumont can be quite the haul, she says it's key to the family business's success.
"It's not necessarily a cash prize now. But in the end selling progeny off of these animals. We like to exhibit our cows and show off our cows. But at the end of the day we're here doing this for a reason for a long term type of investment," she said.
The competition for brahman cows and bulls is Saturday and the lead up to the event requires intense preparation. From constant walks around the arena to endless feeding and brushing.
"We have to wake up real early on show days to get here and feed the cows," said 14-year-old farmer Rylee Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald always finds time in her busy schedule of school and sports to take care of Missy, her gray brahman cow.
"Her name's Missy because she has an attitude sometimes. It's just one thing after another," Fitzgerald said.
"I just love animals. I love helping them," said Kaidyn Guillory with Rockin' Cattle.
Guillory is newer to the livestock game with under a year's worth of experience, but she hopes patience and dedication will put her cattle in contention for best in show.
"This is a good opportunity to learn the cows and the other animals and how they work," Guillory said.
The full schedule for the South Texas State Fair can be found here.