National Show

cowgirlracer · #1 06/18/07, 05:38 PM

I wanted to see if anyone was going to the American Dairy Goat Association National Show in Gillette, WY next month? I must be living in a bubble, I just found out

It sarts on July 7 - I am so excited. Think of all those beautiful goaties!!! I might have to take vacation . . .

Anne

prairiecomforts · #2 06/18/07, 05:54 PM

I had thought earlier this spring that it would be great to go - since this is probably the closest a national show will ever get to me here in ND!! But because of high gas prices and some other things - I am not going to be able to go. Which is hard because I would really like to see how some of my girls would do. I hope anyone who goes has a great time.

cowgirlracer · #3 06/18/07, 06:38 PM

I will take pictures and post them for you.

jer · #4 07/01/07, 08:44 PM

You should go. I went last year. Are you going to show or just look? I was supposed to go this year but it didn't worrk out. Oh well. I'll be there next year!

chamoisee · #5 07/01/07, 09:06 PM

If you ever want an eye-opener, take herd brochures of the herds you've been considering buying from with you to the National. They make all the exhibitors milk the does out at a set time, and they check that the does have been thoroughly milked.

I was amazed when I went to the Nat'l in Spokane. There were herds I had been so envious of....and there they were in the flesh, with udders that had only half as much milk as my own does! They were not as gorgeous in person as they were in those glossy brochures! I went away from the experience with a much deeper appreciation and love for my own animals which I had always considered half as good as the ones in the magazines and brochures.

I did see a few herds that I respected all the more that actually did have the milk, but mostly I was stunned by all the others. Some of the others were herds that I had shown against for several years, and surprise surprise, their udders were nothing like they had been in the shows where a milk-out was not required.

I highly recommend the experience.

cowgirlracer · #6 07/02/07, 07:06 AM

Thank you for the tips Chamoisee. I hadn''t even thought of doing that!

It is getting close and I am really getting excited. Now I just need to make sure the batteries are charged in my camera, and that I have lots of disc space . . .

Only five more days!

Anne

susanne · #7 07/02/07, 08:06 AM

i will be there, helping a friend showing and of course see the show. very exited

chamoisee good tip. most show breeders don't breed for milk but for show and this is what you see on udders.
all the bathing with show glow or what ever is used to prepare the animals can mask the real status of an animal. that is why i love to see animals at their home. i don't buy without visiting the breeder and see all animals in their non show udder/coat.

Tracy in Idaho · #8 07/02/07, 05:06 PM

Yep, I'll be there with 5 does in tow! Come over and introduce yourself -- I am Soldier-Mtn Alpines

Heck, I'd LOVE to see every single show have a milk out! Unfortunately, I doubt that will ever be the case. As it is, we're going to have to milk out *again* after the official milk out at Nationals. They'll udder up way too tight if I give them the full time.

A good grooming isn't really going to disguise anything IMO. Shoot, there is no hair to hide glaring faults under! I don't think there is anything prettier than a well-fitted show goat

Tracy

chamoisee · #9 07/02/07, 09:23 PM

Tracy, do you mind giving us the lowdown of the other Alpines and maybe taking pics of the nicest ones (even if they don't win) and posting it here when you get back?

Good luck!

Tracy in Idaho · #10 07/02/07, 11:09 PM

I can do my best Rebekah! I don't know how much time I'll have during, but I'll see what I can get.

It will be the 16th before I am able to get back on, unless I can borrow a laptop with a connection -- mine just died

We're shaving goats tomorrow!

Tracy

chamoisee · #11 07/02/07, 11:50 PM

You have a safe trip, drive carefully and all that!

At the one in Spokane, the herds that impressed me most were Redwood Hills and Promises- a herd that doesn't get much publicity but I now think is underrated.

I wish you the best.

Tracy in Idaho · #12 07/03/07, 08:21 AM

Thanks, I hope it's a nice, uneventful drive! I think we are going to leave at night and try to avoid the triple digit heat

Hopefully we can also avoid all the wildlife on the roads, since we are taking Hwy 26 across.

I am picking up some semen from Redwood Hills, and I am betting my next purchased buckling comes from them

I'll try and get good pics.

I haven't heard of the Promises herd? Who is that and where are they? I'm always on the lookout for nice goats.

Tracy

chamoisee · #13 07/03/07, 09:44 PM

The herd isn't very well known, but they'll probably be there. The animals are reminiscent of the Sodium Oaks type, and they are a northwestern herd IIRC. The ones I saw had excellent body capacity, high production, and good fore and rear udder attachments. Other than the RWH does and one of JOnathan Bland's, they were the only ones I saw that I coveted.

chamoisee · #14 07/03/07, 09:54 PM

OKay, did research. Owner is Denise Felder. In the 2005 National, she had the first place Intermediate kid, and Highest 305 Butterfat: Promises Val's V Vianka. http://www.adga.org/2005NationalShowResults.html She is not a big name in the Alpine world, b ut I think she should be more well known than she is. I see that she also sold a Spotlight Sale doe, Promises Val's Resolution, for $2,050

Alice In TX/MO · #15 07/04/07, 05:24 AM

I couldn't find a website for her goat farm.

chamoisee · #16 07/04/07, 11:14 AM

I don't think she has a website. Her name, address, and phone number will be in the ADGA directory, I expect.