In Ausserrhoden, the cattle shows are held on a communal basis, while in Innerrhoden the cantonal show takes place in Appenzell at the beginning of October.

To the delight of the numerous spectators lining the roads, some farmers drive their cattle to the show, i.e. with all the trappings of an alpine drive. Others, however, drive their groomed and cleaned animals to the showground with less effort. There, everyone enters the area under a wooden triumphal arch, which is decorated with fir branches, paper flowers and ribbons, with dairy crockery and quite often with a welcome message on a wreathed table. The cattle are tied to long poles according to predetermined categories. The judging panel, consisting of experienced farmers, now begins its work. They judge the animals according to their beauty and performance and place them in the correct order. It can take well into the afternoon to place the animals, as the differences between the best breeding cows in particular are small and the work of the judges is correspondingly difficult. The most beautiful animals receive a wreath of paper flowers tied around their horns. In the evening, after the animals are back home in the barn, the farmers and their families meet in the hall of a pub for the show critique and prize-giving. This is followed by a down-to-earth feast with singing, cheering and dancing.


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