How To Win Goat Showmanship
Here are some tips for success in goat showmanship from a seasoned 4-Her. From ring etiquette to animal handling, these reminders will help you earn that blue ribbon. Also included are sample questions that a judge may ask, based on your age.
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By Natalie (age 13)
In showmanship, you are judged on how well you can show or present your goat and your knowledge of that animal. Showmanship is your time to shine and show off your animal handling skills. Judges look for a showman that is attentive, confident, knowledgeable, and works well with their animal.
I have been showing goats for seven years and here are some of my tips for succeeding in the show ring.
1. Practice!
Whoever said practice makes perfect, does not lie! Months before your show you should be working and practicing with your animal. You want to make sure both you and your goat are prepared. Trust me, every practice session you do will make you better and the hours will pay off. On show day, the judge will be able to see all the time and effort you put in.
2. Get Feedback
If you can, go to a show! Even if you’re just there to watch, talk to some judges. Ask them what they look for in good showmen, what questions they ask in certain age groups, or any of your questions about showing. If you are competing, wait until the end of the show and then ask the judge for feedback. Most judges would love to hear that you are trying to get better and will be happy to help you.
3. Attitude is Everything
No matter what happens in the ring, stay calm. When your goat misbehaves, correct it and go on like nothing happened. If someone runs into you, be chill about it and move to the next thing. Maintaining a good attitude is a huge factor in showmanship. If you lose your cool, you lose that first place ribbon.
4. Confidence
From the second you step into the ring, to the moment you step out, you want to be radiating confidence. No matter how you are feeling, go out there and own it! Even if you are not sure about what to do, just do your best and pretend like you know what you are doing. You always want to act in control, focused, and calm. Walk around that ring like there is no way you can lose.
5. Be First
You want to be the first one to do everything. Be the first one in the ring, it shows you are ready to get out there and show. The judge will also be looking at you first and their attention is more likely to be drawn to you at the front of the line. Be the first one set up, this shows the judge that you are quick to follow directions and are always on your toes. The judge will also see that you are attentive and that your animal is well trained.
6. Be a Team
You want you and your goat to be working together. When you are walking, it should be a nice slow walk and in sync with your animal. Every motion you do should be smooth and together with your goat. If your goat is a fast walker, try to slow her down and work on walking more often at home.
7. Sportsmanship
Be a good sport! During the class, if someone loses control of their goat near you, try and help them. If the person in front of you has a goat that won’t walk, give their goat a little push from behind to help them out. If you bump into someone or their animal, say a quick apology. After the class is over, shake the hand of the judge and congratulate everyone in your class.
8. Eye Contact is Key
As soon as you are in the ring, make intense eye contact with the judge, even after they look away. Every time the judge looks at you, they should see your eyes on them. It is extremely important to know where the judge is at all times so you don’t miss any directions. When you are constantly looking at the judge, it makes the judge want to look at you and you want that.
9. Never Stop Showing
The entire time you are in the show ring, never stop showing. It doesn’t matter if the judge isn’t looking at you or has their back turned, you should always be ready. Even when things don’t go your way or you make a mistake, keep showing like normal. Showmanship is all about how you handle things and giving up is not a good look.
10. Study!
Before the show, do your homework! Research different breeds and where they originated, anatomy and body parts, nutrition, and health of goats. You will be asked questions in the show ring, and you want to be prepared with an educated answer.
Pro Tip: If the judge asks you to identify a body part, don’t point at or touch your animal. Use words to describe where the body part is in relation to other body parts. It is more professional and will impress the judge.
Sample Questions- Pee Wee (6-9 yr olds):
What is your goat’s name?
How old is your goat?
Where is the eye?
Where is the ear?
Where is the leg?
Sample Questions- Young (10-12 yr olds):
What breed is your goat?
Is your goat a boy or a girl? Do not say a boy or girl! Say a doe (girl) or a wether (boy)
What do you feed your goat?
What is the most important nutrient for goats? Water.
Sample Questions- Junior (13-15 yr olds):
What are the three sections of the back? Chine, Loin, Rump.
What is the average temperature of a goat? 102 -103 degrees Fahrenheit.
What does SQ mean when giving an injection? Subcutaneous, under the skin.
Name 5 Dairy breeds. Nubian, Saanen, Alpine, Nigerian Dwarf, Toggenburg, Oberhasli, Lamancha.
Name 5 Non-Dairy breeds. Boer, Savannah, Kiko, Pygmy, Spanish.
Name a Fiber breed. Angora, Pygora, Cashmere.
What are some of the other breeds of goats in the ring?
Sample Questions- Senior (16-19 yr olds):
What runs through the milk vein? Blood.
What are the four stomach compartments? Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum, Abomasum.
What do you like about your goat?
What is something you would change about your goat?
How many points are on the showmanship scorecard for appearance? 10
Name 3 parasites. Lice, mites, barber pole worms, brown stomach worms, tape worms, lung worms.
Name 3 diseases you can test your herd for. CL, CAE, Johnes, Q-Fever.
All wonderful tips for successfully showing your goats! It certainly is a testament to your hard work, willingness to share your knowledge and the art of practicing to be a successful showman in the ring.
Natalie, says thank you so much!