Showing a Goat: 3 Things to Remember

Showing a Goat

It’s that time of the year for fairs and livestock shows. For those of you showing goats this year, good luck! What a fun thing to get into. Now that you’ve put in all that hard work with your goat, its your time to show it off. Showmanship is an important part of the judging process. So, be sure you’re prepared! Dress appropriately and professionally with a nice button up, jeans, boots and a smile. Remember, have fun! You’ve worked hard for this.

There are 3 important things to remember when you’re showing a goat.

1. Remember to keep your eyes on the judge and know their positioning in the arena. This is crucial. You have to be aware at all times where the judge is so that you can present your goat well. Additionally, the judge will be asking you to do different things, so it’s important to be attentive.

2. Always keep your goat between you and the judge. One of the mains reasons for keeping your eyes on the judge is that the judge will move around to get a good look. You don’t want to be interfering with their ability to see. As the judges move you want to move so that you are always presenting your goat to them. 

3. Be prepared for questions! Not only is the judge going to be checking out your goat, but they will also be assessing you as an exhibitor. It’s important to know what breed you have, how old the it is, how much it weighs, how much you feed it, etc…. The list goes on and on, the point is be ready! Know your goat, know the standards and speak with confidence. You’ll be sure to crush it on the showmanship side. Best of luck!

Packgoats.com is your resource for pack goat showing needs. Check out 4H training saddles!