We just got back from the Spokane Interstate fair last night. It was our first official ADGA sanctioned show, and quite a learning experience! I brought about half the goats, 13, but it was still a lot of work. We got to meet several well known breeders. Anyway, we had a great time and I would really encourage those of you who haven't shown yet to give it a try even if you don't want to show on a regular basis!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), September 17, 2001

Answers

Cool beans! How'd you do? How'd the goats like traveling? I have never even been to a goat show.....shameful, I know.

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), September 18, 2001.

Oh, it was only an hour and a half away. The goats don't care for travel but they did OK. As far as competition, I was competing against the Waiilatpu herd, so my milking stock couldn't hold a candle to hers. The udders on that herd are some of the best I've ever seen on any breed. My young stock did well though, so I was happy. It was a whole new world for me and really gave me a lot of perspective on management and where our breeding program needs to go next. I got a little tired of the fairgoers constantly picking up dirty bedding and or hay from CAE+ goats and trying to feed it to my goats! Didn't take long to realize that that would go right into the feed can if I didn't stop them from the outset. I'm going to think up something to deal with that problem the next time.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), September 18, 2001.