 In this video, we will be focusing on getting into a mindset for success. Walking into a livestock judging contest can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if it is someone's first time participating. This video contains general goals of a contest, common roles seen at a contest, and useful tips for new or returning judges. A judge can use any or none of these tips depending on how they understand and utilize this video. These are not official rules or set in stone. Each person can take or leave anything presented to them in this video. Walking into a contest, there should be general goals in mind, aiming for success in each class judged, shooting for that perfect 50-point score, thinking like a winner with a positive attitude is always beneficial, going into each class with the end in mind, meaning what is the purpose of the animal standing in front of you, understanding their use and what they will be utilized for will help a judge figure out how to place the class correctly. Once you understand the purpose of the animal, imagine the perfect animal in your mind to compare the class with. Having a standard to base the rest of the class off of is helpful. Take notes. Even if it is not a questions class or an oral reasons class, taking notes will assist you in the placings process. Work through the class on paper, not just visually. Lastly, never forget to mark or fill out your scorecard, making sure you either put your name or number, the class you are judging, and the placing on the card. You may have taken notes and placed the class to a perfect 50, but if you do not fill out the scorecard, all that work was for nothing. Here are some rules commonly seen at a livestock judging contest. The average time to judge a class is between 10 to 15 minutes. Sometimes it can be 20. When judges walk into the arena, keep your back to the class so that you are facing away from the animals. Do not turn around until a contest official or group leader says it's okay. Once you turn around, this is when time is in, and the 15 minutes has started. Begin judging and taking notes. Also, there is no talking amongst judges or teammates. Judges are allowed to ask questions to the group leader or a contest official. When looking at an animal, you are judging, no matter what their use. Start by looking at their footing and move up the body. Also, begin looking from the rear, moving forward to the head. You are allowed to move around the arena or pen. Don't stay in one place. Be confident and walk around to get different views and angles of the class. If a judge correctly follows selection traits, meaning they look for the specific traits referring to the proper use of the animal, they should place the class without busting or getting a zero. Follow your intuition. Trust yourself and your knowledge. A lot of time, second guessing yourself, will end with a lower score. Lastly, have fun. Yes, this is a contest and you're competing, but you are also here to learn and enjoy the opportunity to do what we all love. Remember to not overthink. If you get stuck, move on to the next. Everything's going to work out and winning, it isn't everything. Thank you for watching. Be sure to check out our other livestock judging videos as well as the Alabama Cooperative Extension YouTube channel.