Sisters top heifer division in IBA Points Show Program

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — At a very young age, sisters Claire and Jemma Dorsey started showing cattle, which has developed into a passion and award-winning endeavor.

Jemma placed first in the heifer division of the 2024 IBA Points Show Program, and Claire placed second, only five points behind her sister.

“I think I showed at the North American when I was 4 years old,” said Jemma, who is now 14.

“Our parents met at a cattle show, so you could really say we were born into it,” Claire said. “As you get older, your passion grows and it becomes something you want to do instead of just continuing the legacy.”

During the year, the Dorseys travel to several jackpot and preview shows in the winter and spring.

That starts with the Winter Warm-Up and the Illinois Beef Expo, followed by preview shows, junior nationals, their county fair, both the Illinois State Fair and the Du Quoin State Fair, and national shows, including the American Royal and the North American International Livestock Exposition.

“There is no off-season for us,” Claire said. “We mainly show Simmental, occasionally a Limousin, this year we have a Chianina heifer and Jemma’s been showing a few Shorthorns.”

“We pretty much go to every show that works into our schedule,” she said.

Jemma’s Shorthorn heifer, Lola, was the top Shorthorn at the Winter Warm-Up and the Illinois Beef Expo, and she won the Shorthorn Preview Show.

“Our percent Simmental heifer, Dot, did very well, she had a few wins and her breakthrough was at Junior Nationals,” Claire said. “She was reserve overall percentage owned heifer and we thought we would never be able to do that at such a prestigious contest.”

This year, Claire showed a percentage Simmental heifer and a purebred Simmental heifer at the Illinois Beef Expo. Jemma brought a Shorthorn and a Chianina heifer to the event in Springfield.

Along with raising crops on their farm near Moro, Brad and Beth Dorsey also have a 60-cow herd.

“Showing is a family thing — it’s something we do together,” Claire said. “We make decisions as a family about where we want to show next and how we go about things.”

“I like the family aspect about showing with everyone helping,” said Jemma, who is in eighth grade. “Even though it’s a competition, we’re all still friends at the end of the day and everyone supports each other.”

“I think some of the best times those two girls have is working in the barn together at home and getting ready to go to the shows,” Brad said. “They enjoy the prep work, being together and listening to music even though it’s nonstop and a daily grind.”

“It’s something we love because we wouldn’t spend the time, money or energy towards it if we didn’t deeply love it,” Claire said. “You can’t achieve what you want without doing the hard work at home.”

“Beth and I have said it time and time again, if we had to force them to go to the barn, we would be done,” Brad said. “We realize the work ethic it teaches them and they get to meet and make friends all over the world.”

It can be challenging to compete with friends, Brad said.

“But when somebody needs something, you do what you need to do to help your friends,” he said.

Garrett Meisner is one of many people that Claire and Jemma have connected with through showing cattle.

“We’d like to thank Garrett because he has really helped to guide us to the path we’re on,” Claire said. “He’s been good to us, helping to clip calves and get our heifers presented at shows. We wouldn’t be able to go to these shows without everybody on scene.”

“Nothing is easy — there are a lot of late nights and early mornings,” Brad said. “In the summertime, there’s a lot of meals eaten in the barn.”

Currently, Claire is a sophomore at Lake Land College and she plans to transfer to a university in the fall to complete her bachelor’s degree.

“I’m interested in animal science and ag communications and I want to come back home and raise cattle,” she said.