JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Hundreds of barn animals strutted across the dirt stage at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds for a chance to take home first place during the 2024 Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Competitors are hoping to take home a winning ribbon or trophy.

“I’m most excited for hopefully making the solid champions. We’ve been doing this for two years and hopefully this will be our year,” said Rebecca L., who was competing in market steers.

Prepping animals for the show is an all-year affair for the competitors. Once one season ends, there’s little down time before they’re gearing up for the next event.

“While my calves are out every single day, they’re taught it for several hours, and then we practice setting them up as if they were in the ring. Their hair is worked when they have hair, and then we slick it off, and we start high preparation for Dixie. And then we get new calves after Dixie and start the new season,” said Camille L., who competed in market steers and goats.

Despite how long some competitors have been performing and preparing, it’s normal to still get show day jitters.

“Actually, my nerves are going around because it’s a really big show really. We just spend time with them patting them. We know we focus more on petting him than we do walking him, just so he can get used to us and know that we’re not going to do anything to him. He’s a very feisty little thing,” said Paisley W., another competitor.

The Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo will end on Sunday, February 18.