Chat
09-15-2015, 12:44 PM
The first day of the show, our herd did pretty respectably. The judge was impressed by Petunia's extended lactation as a first freshener (about 450 days at this point, and she's still giving about 3 quarts/day). I think he truly has an appreciation for our mixed breed "homestead" goats, and he gave Petunia Reserve Champion Recorded Grade Doe (not terribly prestigious in such a small division, but it felt good to get that big, shiny ribbon).
Petunia had her own reasons for appreciating the ribbon.
The first day's judge was so thrilled when he saw me putting Petunia through her tricks at the side of the ring while we were waiting for the best of breed lineup that he called an impromptu break between classes to have us come in the ring and show everyone what she can do. He later pulled me aside and asked for training tips. He raises Nubians and he said he didn't think most were smart enough to learn tricks, but he had one he thought might be capable and wanted to know how it was done. He was a very fun judge to talk to, and he fondly remembers the year he met Cuzco at the Weld County Goat Extravaganza and got a cart ride through the show ring. I think it took him a few minutes to realize we were the same people who gave him a ride on the "Colorado Limo". He told me he loves sharing that photo with people.
This same judge also loved Tigerlily and awarded her Grand Champion Recorded Grade Junior Doe. This is our first Grand Champion ribbon, and it was fun to be in the lineup for Best Junior Doe in Show. We did not win the Best in Show ribbon because Tigerlily "lacks refinement", but I was actually happy to hear those words. We're not really breeding for refinement but for substance, and Tigerlily definitely has substance! This four-month-old already weighs a good 70 lbs.!
That night we had an ice cream social, and I brought the ice cream. When we came to Harvest Show two years ago I was so excited when I saw "Homemade Ice Cream Social" on the schedule because I was sure that any homemade ice cream served at a goat show would have to be made from goat milk. I was disappointed when it turned out to be pre-made "homemade ice cream" mix from a carton. The ice cream social was on the schedule again this year, so I put my oar in and said I'd provide the ice cream mix myself. I mixed up a gallon of vanilla and a gallon of mint chip at home from cream and milk donated by my goatie girls and brought it with me to the show in a cooler. A man there had a wonderful ice cream churn made from an old fashioned washing machine motor, a wooden bucket full of ice, and a metal canister. It was great fun to have proper goat milk ice cream at a goat show.
Petunia had her own reasons for appreciating the ribbon.
The first day's judge was so thrilled when he saw me putting Petunia through her tricks at the side of the ring while we were waiting for the best of breed lineup that he called an impromptu break between classes to have us come in the ring and show everyone what she can do. He later pulled me aside and asked for training tips. He raises Nubians and he said he didn't think most were smart enough to learn tricks, but he had one he thought might be capable and wanted to know how it was done. He was a very fun judge to talk to, and he fondly remembers the year he met Cuzco at the Weld County Goat Extravaganza and got a cart ride through the show ring. I think it took him a few minutes to realize we were the same people who gave him a ride on the "Colorado Limo". He told me he loves sharing that photo with people.
This same judge also loved Tigerlily and awarded her Grand Champion Recorded Grade Junior Doe. This is our first Grand Champion ribbon, and it was fun to be in the lineup for Best Junior Doe in Show. We did not win the Best in Show ribbon because Tigerlily "lacks refinement", but I was actually happy to hear those words. We're not really breeding for refinement but for substance, and Tigerlily definitely has substance! This four-month-old already weighs a good 70 lbs.!
That night we had an ice cream social, and I brought the ice cream. When we came to Harvest Show two years ago I was so excited when I saw "Homemade Ice Cream Social" on the schedule because I was sure that any homemade ice cream served at a goat show would have to be made from goat milk. I was disappointed when it turned out to be pre-made "homemade ice cream" mix from a carton. The ice cream social was on the schedule again this year, so I put my oar in and said I'd provide the ice cream mix myself. I mixed up a gallon of vanilla and a gallon of mint chip at home from cream and milk donated by my goatie girls and brought it with me to the show in a cooler. A man there had a wonderful ice cream churn made from an old fashioned washing machine motor, a wooden bucket full of ice, and a metal canister. It was great fun to have proper goat milk ice cream at a goat show.