More Than a Cattle Show: 2026 Minnesota Regional Summer Classic

More Than a Cattle Show

Some weekends are measured by banners, trophies, and champion drives. Others are measured by the friendships created, the memories made, and the moments that stay with you long after the show ring is empty. The Minnesota Regional Summer Classic has always been one of those weekends.

For me, Shorthorns have always been about more than cattle. I grew up showing them, and as long as I can remember, my family has been deeply involved in the breed and this community has always been a major part of my life.

Over the past several years, I have had the privilege of experiencing this weekend from another perspective as both a committee member and photographer. The Minnesota Regional Summer Classic brings exhibitors from across the Midwest together, including families from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and even as far away as Texas. While everyone arrives with the goal of doing their best in the show ring, the weekend becomes so much more than a competition.

A Community Built Through Shorthorns

One of the greatest gifts of the Shorthorn breed is the friendships that come with it. Many of my closest friends today are people I met through showing cattle. We may live miles apart and not see each other every day, but when we come together at a show, it feels like a reunion.

As I get older, one of my favorite parts of this weekend is watching those same friendships begin for the next generation of exhibitors. I get to watch young people meet each other, encourage each other, and build relationships that I know can last a lifetime. I love seeing older exhibitors mentor younger ones and share the knowledge they have gained through their own experiences.

That is what makes the Shorthorn community so special.

My hope is that every first-time exhibitor who attends the Minnesota Regional Summer Classic leaves feeling right at home. I hope they find a place where they can create lifelong friendships, learn from others, and share their love of cattle and the Shorthorn breed.

And while everyone hopes to take home a banner, success looks different for every exhibitor. Maybe success is making it through your first class. Maybe it is improving throughout the weekend. Maybe it is gaining confidence or making memories with friends and family.

Capturing the Hard Work

As a photographer, some of my favorite moments are not always the ones that happen during the champion drive. They are the moments in the classes before.

This year brought hot temperatures and challenging conditions. Some animals did not always want to cooperate, but what stood out to me was watching the young exhibitors handle those challenges with patience and determination. They did not give up when things did not go perfectly. They continued working with their animals, stayed positive, and showed just how much they cared.

Those are the moments I love capturing. Because while livestock photography is about the cattle, it is truly about the people behind them.

A Moment to Remember

Every judge has moments they become known for, and for Ryan Rash, one of those moments is the glitter slap.

The glitter slap has become a memorable tradition and a moment exhibitors and photographers hope to experience. It represents the celebration of a major accomplishment and the hard work that led to that moment.

As the junior show came to a close, I was paying close attention throughout the final drive. I had a pretty good idea which heifer Ryan would select, and when he made that choice, I knew there was a chance the glitter slap could happen.

Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out the glitter.

My first thought was:



“This is going to be a photo of a lifetime.”

In that moment, I was not just thinking about capturing a great photograph. I was thinking about what that moment represented for the Minnesota Regional Summer Classic.

Ryan does not do the glitter slap at every show he judges, which made this moment even more special. To me, it felt like a stamp of approval on the weekend itself. It celebrated the quality of the cattle, the hard work of the exhibitors, and the effort that so many people put into making this event special.

When I looked at the image afterward, I could not believe I had captured it.

Not only was it an incredible moment for the exhibitor, but it was also an incredible moment for me as a photographer, the show, and spectators.

I was honored when Ryan shared the photograph and credited SLY Media and Design. Moments like these are exactly why I love what I do. A single photograph can freeze a fraction of a second, but the best photographs preserve the feeling behind it. Every time I look at this image, I don't just see glitter. I see months of hard work, an unforgettable weekend, and a community celebrating together.

It Takes a Village

The Minnesota Regional Summer Classic is possible because of a community of people who care deeply about Shorthorns and the youth involved in the breed.

From committee members and volunteers, to parents, exhibitors, and supporters, it truly takes a village.

Throughout the weekend, we work to create opportunities for exhibitors to learn and grow through educational clinics, showmanship opportunities, hair care demonstrations, and fun activities like Barn Olympics.

The goal is simple: create an experience where kids can learn, make memories, and enjoy being part of something bigger than themselves.

At the end of the weekend, the banners may go home with a few exhibitors, but the friendships and memories go home with everyone.

That is what makes the Minnesota Regional Summer Classic more than a cattle show. It is a celebration of the Shorthorn family.

And I am grateful to play a small part in telling that story through my camera.

About sly media and design

I’m Sam, a photographer and designer based in south central Minnesota. Through SLY Media and Design, I capture authentic moments and stories centered around agriculture, livestock, and the people who make them special.

slymediadesignmn@gmail.com | 952-826-9712 | Green Isle, MN