Our First Goat Show: What We Learned, Loved, and Wished We Packed

This past weekend, we loaded up the goats, packed the car in a rush at four in the morning, and headed out to our very first ADGA goat show.

Was it overwhelming? Yes.
Did we forget things? Also yes.
Was it amazing anyway? Absolutely.

I’ve been dreaming about this for months, and while we didn’t win anything, we came home with experience, knowledge, and a whole list of what to do differently next time.

Let’s Talk About the Goats

ZZ was… a mess. I had practiced leading her around the woods and she had been doing okay, but in the ring, she absolutely refused to move. I had to drag her and it was really embarrassing. I ended up scratching her from the last ring. We had bottle babies waiting at home, and I just didn’t have it in me to keep forcing it. She’s got a lot of work ahead of her if she’s going to be a show goat, and I’m still holding out hope. But wow. That was rough.

Annie placed second in a class of three, and I was so proud of her. She is absolutely stunning. I could look at her all day with her structure, her presence, everything about her just makes me smile. She’s the kind of goat that reminds me why I’m doing this. I want to breed goats that I think are beautiful, and Annie is exactly that. Even without a ribbon, she stood out to me.

Butter landed somewhere in the middle of her classes. One thing I noticed was that as her udder filled throughout the day, she started to look better and better (and place better). So now I know to plan for a longer fill if I want to really show off what she can do. She was cooperative for the most part but struggled in the beginning to walk well.

Demi placed third out of four and also struggled to walk. But I realized while watching her in the ring that she’s carrying a little too much weight. She’s built like a tank, and while I love her, it’s time to adjust her feed. I don’t want her knees or feet to suffer long term. She’s sweet and cuddly and really lets me do anything once she’s up on the milk stand, though convincing her to get on the stand is still a process.

Things I Wish I’d Done Differently

Oh boy, where do I start?

First, I wish I had practiced leading them more! Whew! I was so worried about getting them clipped, I didn’t practice enough. I also really wish I had brought our milk stand. I knew I needed it, and still somehow didn’t bring it. We ended up borrowing someone else’s, which was kind, but it would have been so much easier with my own setup. I also tried shaving Butter and Demi’s udders while they were just standing in the pen, and let’s just say it didn’t go well. I looked like a fumbling idiot and I know I made it harder on myself than it needed to be.

Second, the wagon. We have an awesome wagon. It’s sturdy and easy to pull and would have made hauling gear way simpler. But it had hay in it and I didn’t feel like emptying it. And, to be honest, I was fully riding the overwhelmed train in the days leading up to the show. I kept telling myself I’d get more prepared, but then the days flew by, and I found myself packing in a frenzy the morning of.

Third, clipping. I did my best. At the end when I was cleaning up spots, thought I had my 4FC finish blade on the clippers. I did not. I had the 40! (This means hair so short it’s pretty much bald). So if you were at the show and happened to notice Annie’s giant bald spot on the back of her head, oops, that was me. A rookie mistake. I should have rewatched the clipping tutorials and taken my time, but I was juggling a lot and just trying to get it done. I also missed a few spots and never had time to clean them up before the show started. Another lesson, get there earlier or be more prepared.

And honestly, I probably should have just gone to a show as a spectator before entering one. Watching the national livestream does not count. There are just so many small details that you only catch when you’re there in person. I learned more in one day of being overwhelmed and sweaty and flustered than I have in months of online research.

Extra Thoughts that Ran Through My Head on the Way Home…

It was hot. I wore white pants that I hadn’t even tried on beforehand. They were not flattering. I wore the wrong shoes because I was rushing out the door at the crack of dawn. I made a dozen little mistakes that felt like giant ones in the moment. But I also learned so much.

The goat community wasn’t as instantly warm and welcoming as I had hoped, but I get it, it’s a competition. Nobody knows me yet. It’s going to take time and consistency. There were a few friendly faces and people who offered tips or helped out when I needed it. And honestly, I’m still proud of myself for showing up, goats and all.

I’m already looking forward to the next show in Josephine County this Sunday. And this time, we’re bringing the milk stand. And the wagon. And probably an entire case of baby wipes and hand sanitizer.

And next time? I might even remember to check my clipper blades before I start shaving heads.