7th Grade Student Wins Blue Ribbon at the Fair

Last summer I wanted to get dairy goats and show them at fairs.  This spring, I got two doelings (baby girl goats) and I showed them at fairs throughout the summer.  I showed them in their age classes and in showmanship.  The age classes consist of goats of similar ages being shown against each other to decide which one is the best dairy animal.  Showmanship is when humans are judged on how well they show their goats and how well they have prepared their goats for the show (hair clipped, hooves cleaned and trimmed, ears clean, coat brushed etc.).

On Sunday, I showed my goats In an open show but my main focus was on the 4-H show scheduled for Monday.  An open show Is a show were anyone with goats registered in ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association) can show their goats.  At a 4-H show, you have to be under 18 to present your goats.  Both shows can be sanctioned if the goats can get a "leg."  A leg is when a goat gets to be a champion.  If the goat receives three legs, it is considered a permanent champion.  For the leg to count, there needs to be at least ten goats in each breed showing.  At the 4-H show, I won my showmanship class.  It was a really great day!

Elsa Knowles, 7th Grade