Cattle Fitting Contest

There will be a preliminary round, as well as a final round – both rounds will be held in the Barn 8 Arena.

Fitting Contest Regulations

The contest will be open to two teams per county. Each county will be responsible for establishing the team selection. Must have alternates for each team member. All teams must consist of three exhibitors with eligible entries at the 2025 Oklahoma Youth Expo steer or heifer Show.
Each team must be comprised of the following regulations:

A. Each team member must be from the same county.
B. Each team must be comprised of three members.
C. Each team must have at least one member under the age of 13 (13 years or under on the day of the OYE contest).
D. If an exhibitor wishes to compete, but does not have enough eligible contestants from their county; they may enter their name into a random drawing and teams will be drawn from those names submitted. Teams will be drawn until there are not enough remaining to meet the team requirements laid out in Rule B & C above.

Fitting Contest Rules

  1. Teams will compete in three heats. Entry number and heat selection will be assigned as entries are received.
  2. Each heat will be 30 minutes in length. A 10 minute warning will be given. At the end of the 30 minute allotted time, clippers down and work stopped.
  3. All grooming rules of the Oklahoma Youth Expo will be strictly enforced.
  4. The animal must be provided by the team, being an eligible entry at the 2025 Oklahoma Youth Expo steer or heifer Show.
  5. The animal must also be owned by one of the team members.
    Each animal must be completely clean and dry.
  6. Students will be judged based upon the following criteria:
    Quality of workmanship
    Team Skills – Compatibility & Organization
    Compatibility of the use of various types of clippers
  7. Exhibits will be evaluated based upon a three-judge system. Neatness of individuals and area will be in consideration.
  8. Prizes won in the fitting contest MAY NOT be returned to the sponsor of the product for a different product.

Fitting Contest Finals

  1. The top 5 Teams from the preliminary grooming heats will compete in the State Cattle Fitting Contest Finals.
  2. All contest rules will apply to the Finals.
  3. All grooming rules of the Oklahoma Youth Expo will be strictly enforced.
  4. The animal must be provided by the team, being an eligible entry at the Oklahoma Youth Expo steer or heifer show, and must be a different calf than the one used in the preliminary round.
  5. Each animal must be completely clean and dry.
  6. Students will be judged based upon the following criteria:
    1. Quality of workmanship
    2. Team Skills – Compatibility & Organization
    3. Compatibility of the use of various types of clippers.
    4. The Finals Competition will include a showmanship element.
  7. Each animal will be presented to the judges (by one team member) at the completion of the allotted time.
  8. Exhibits will be evaluated based upon a three-judge system. Neatness of individuals and area will be in consideration.
  9. NOTE: In case of power outage for one or more chutes, a horn will be sounded and all work halts on all teams