Prepping to show

[CraterCove]

Okay, I want to show my little Saanen doe in Sept at the Gwinnett Co. Fair in GA. I have read the pamphlets and besides dreading the wearing of the show clothes what should I be doing to show my doeling as well as I can?

I am going to set her up and trim her coat to try and get a feel of how to do it with time for my blunders to grow out. How much effort should I put into teaching her how to stack? She is incredibly friendly and seeks out human attention whenever she can so I envision whatever training she gets will be fairly easy. What kind of treats does one use for incentive? Tips on making sure she is an ideal weight, aka not fat :-P

She was born March 18th of this year and is a Saanen, as mentioned above... any advice would be quite welcome.

[Donna1982]

Thanks for asking this I am thinking about showing also. :-)

[saanengirl]

CraterCove, PM me with your location, I know lots of people who raise goats in GA, so can help you find someone who can mentor you for your first show.

I would work with your doe at least twice a week on leading and stacking. It takes a little while for them to learn to stand still. Just because they are friendly doesn't mean they will lead. Leading well is more important than stacking. Get a friend to be the "judge" and practice "moving around the show ring" with your kid. This will include practicing how to switch sides depending on where the judge is. If you can find an experienced dairy goat show breeder to be the "judge" they can be a tremendous help.

No treats are necessary, but scratching their head or neck is a good reward for standing still.

Don't worry about her being too fat. Saanen doe kids grow quickly, and will rarely get fat until their growth slows. Even if she is a bit fluffy at the show, that is not a big deal. You want plenty of body capacity. I have seen fat doe kids show very well.

Any more questions?

[copperpennykids]

Great advice from SaanenGirl.

I would like to add that you want to practice with a chain collar (what you will use at the show). A dog collar and a chain collar are two very different things - switching at the show usually gets you a goat with her neck twisted up into the air and walking sideways.

A 7 blade should be plenty short for a Junior.

And let that girl grow just as big and beautiful as you can. Tough for Saanens to get fat - (well, okay dry yearlings get fat - they ought to be working )

Remember to have fun and don't worry about the white clothes - everyone else is in the same boat - and that's what washing machines are for!

[CraterCove]

Sent PM

Okay, don't go crazy with training and get an actual show chain and don't bother with any kind of substitution just to get started.

How much handling do they receive in the ring? Should I ask people she isn't used to to come and feel her over while I stand with her? Are the turns and basic movements in the ring similar to at dog shows?

Is it frowned upon to wear a long skirt instead of pants in the ring?

[saanengirl]

Originally Posted by CraterCove

How much handling do they receive in the ring?

The judge will pick up one hind leg to check the teats. If the judge needs a closer look he/she may touch the teats. The judge will also put a hand over the ribs of the goat to feel the ribs and the texture of the skin.

Originally Posted by CraterCove

Should I ask people she isn't used to to come and feel her over while I stand with her?

That would be a good idea. Have them pick up one hind leg and look underneath, and have them put their hands on her back and run their hands down her.

Originally Posted by CraterCove

Are the turns and basic movements in the ring similar to at dog shows?

I haven't been to a dog show since I was a kid, so I am not sure. When you enter the ring you always move clockwise, and continue to move clockwise going around the ring. If you are in a head to tail line and are asked to move either up or down in line, pull your goat out of line on the side toward the judge then move either up or down in line, take your goat through the line, and into place. For a side by side line, you always take your goat forward out of line, regardless of where the judge is, and then move your goat up or down the line to the place specified. Take your goat all the way through the line, turn around and bring the goat into place. Make sure you allow plenty of space to turn around. Sometimes the judge needs to compare two goats in a close placing. The judge will ask both handlers to walk the goats toward him/her. In this case, you have the two goats in the middle because the judge wants to compare the goats. The handlers stand on either side of the goats, and try to match the pace of the goats as they walk forward toward the judge. The judge will indicate where to stop. Once the judge has finished looking at them at the halt he/she will tell you to take them back into line. You need to turn the goat's head under your arm so you turn the goat but remain on the same side of the pair. Walk back into line keeping your goat's pace even with the other goat (the judge needs to be able to compare them from the rear), take your goat through the line, turn around (under your arm again) and bring your goat back into line.

Originally Posted by CraterCove

Is it frowned upon to wear a long skirt instead of pants in the ring?

Long skirt or long pants are fine. The key is to be modest and not draw attention away from your goat. Shorts and short skirts are frowned upon. You can get away with long shorts at some local shows, but Nationals requires long pants or long skirts.

[BoldViolet]

Let me know what day(s) you'll be showing, and I'll come cheer you on!

[CraterCove]

I am going to go to the Gwinnett Co fair in Sept. And I'll definitely be going to the GA National Fair in Perry when is that? November?

[BoldViolet]

I think the National Fair is in October. I usually go there for the Gypsy/Friesian horse show.

The Gwinnett County Fair won't be too much of a drive for me, and I've never been.

[CraterCove]

I _love_ Friesians so if they have a show of them in Perry it's just one more tick on the list of reasons to go. I've never been to the Gwinnett Co fair either but I have been told my options for show in GA are Carrollton, Gwinnett and Perry. Luckily I live really close to the Alabama border so maybe I can find some there too.

I am really looking forward to connecting with other goaty people in GA at the shows!

[T.Miller]

I've never been to the Gwinnett Co fair either but I have been told my options for show in GA are Carrollton, Gwinnett and Perry. Luckily I live really close to the Alabama border so maybe I can find some there too.

There is also a show in Monroe, Ga.

I attend a couple of Alabama shows too.
The Alabama National Fair in Montgomery in October and The Peanut Festival in Dothan in November.

You can also check here for shows that might interest you.
http://www.georgiagoat.com/shows.html

I am located in West Georgia and would be happy to do what I can to help you.

Terry

[Cannon_Farms]

I sadly just dont think i could handle showing that late in the fall this year, however I plan to attend the shows.
See if you can find youtube videos of shows, I have before and you would be amazed of what you can pick up. Do your grooming at home, never trim the hooves the night before the show. Clean is highly expected and a skirt is fine, there are many that show that its required via religion.
Watch, watch and watch.. If you can watch the Nigerians go first figure out who Rusty Repp is (little tots estates) he has quite a few things he dose that helps keep his goats in line and the younger ones are worked with very little. Hes also an ADGA judge so you get the drift, Cam Faircloth is another to watch and learn from in the ring, also a great guy to get to AI.. Cam also has a nice saanen yearling and nubian hes showing so you may be showing against him.
When leading a goat stay at the shoulder, every time I see a goat flipping or choking itself the handler is almost always at fault when I watch these things go on.

My best piece of advice, dont go to win, go to have fun and learn and do the best you can. A novice cant expect to go in and knock them dead, however its sweet when it does happen. The less pressure you put on yourself the easier it will be.

[Cannon_Farms]

Tmiller and Saanen girl are excellent at showing and knowing goats too, didnt want to seem like I was discounting yall... Will you be showing in Gwenette Miller?

[T.Miller]

Will you be showing in Gwenette Miller?

I'm not sure yet. If it's on Saturday like it normally is, then yes. If it's during the week, then it just depends on my work schedule and what my show partners want to do.

Terry

Terry

[saanengirl]

The Georgia National Fair will be in October. All entries will be online this year so you have to go to the website to enter. I believe the online entries open July 1 and close September 1.

[BoldViolet]

Originally Posted by CraterCove

I _love_ Friesians so if they have a show of them in Perry it's just one more tick on the list of reasons to go. I've never been to the Gwinnett Co fair either but I have been told my options for show in GA are Carrollton, Gwinnett and Perry. Luckily I live really close to the Alabama border so maybe I can find some there too.

I am really looking forward to connecting with other goaty people in GA at the shows!

http://www.featheredhorseclassic.com/

I've been the past two years. The Friesian and Gypsy owners are so nice.

Can't wait to see you in Gwinnett!

[CraterCove]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I really appreciate insight from people who have been there and have experience. I don't have expectations of myself or Cloverdilly. I am still very much a novice and will be going there to learn, have fun and meet people!

I look forward to meeting every one of you that come to Gwinnett!