I know it's a little premature, but I have to ask. How many of us are hoping to go to the Nationals? Maybe we'll meet each other there! :)

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), December 30, 2001

Answers

Hey Rebekah,

Where are the nationals held? I'm just a beginner in the caprine field, but I'd love to be able to see the best and talk to those folks. When is it?

Iris

-- Iris (WatchingWideEyed@peaceful.com), December 31, 2001.

They are held in a different place each year. In 2002 it will be in Pueblo, CO. It will be in July, from the 13th to the 20th.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), December 31, 2001.

Rebekah, I plan on going since it is pretty close. I went to the one they had in Nebraska a few years ago. I have never had the nerve to show anything, I just go and watch and wish.

-- Karen In Kansas (kansasgoats@iwon.com), December 31, 2001.

I will be there. This will be our 2nd national show and i am looking forward to showing again after loosing this past yr, 2001 due to the move. I feel that a show is really worthwhile if it has high competition, great way to evaluate your breeding program if you are breeding for show quality.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), December 31, 2001.

Bernice, you mentioned tips for showing at the Nationals? I would love to hear them! I didn't do real well at my first official show, I am thinking about turniong the does over to a different handler- the competition will be tough enough without me as a handicap!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), January 06, 2002.

I'll sit down and write up a list of important things for showing at nationals for you soon. I really learned so much. I too am a handicap to my girls in the ring so what I do is usually before hand find a 4-H'er who does really well in showmanship, then offer them either $ or whatever for showing my goats for me. The kids really respond great and some love the thought of getting into tough competition.

I also like to be on the sidelines because I am just too nervous showing. Also, another good way to get your goats clipped and ready is to volunteer a doe for the clipping contest. But I like mine clipped at least 3 weeks before.

Nationals is like a big goat show, not really anything different. Folks are really nice. Just don't get penned next to a water spout near some early bird easterners, you might get sprayed like i did, only I was penned to the westerners from CA and at 1:30AM I had jsut gotten to sleep when this guy decided to water his goats, the spout was about 3 feet from my sleeping area, I got a shower!

Its a lot of fun and I was so disappointed I couldn't go to Mass this yr because we moved.

I'll get that list of things for you here today, looks like tomorrow may be snow day if the snow/ice doesn't melt on road, it dusted last night and the lawn is about melted but not driveway or road from what w ecan see of the road 3/4 mile away. heard a few vehicles spinning up that hill.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), January 06, 2002.

I watch the Senior Showmanship class then ask the best handlers for help if I have a couple in the same class. Have someone video tape you while you walk and set up your does, so you can watch. I am an expert at sitting on the ringside critiquing my daughters, know the score card and the body parts backwards and forwards, could possibly win senior showmanship if I didn't have to lead them around, and around and around :) I know I make my girls look bad, I have had a judge tell me so, he literally walked up to me, took the does head, set her up and said "here Vicki hold her collar and don't move" I can't even pull her she looked so awful! She went on to win. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 06, 2002.