My 4-H sons and I showed our Nubian goats at the VA State Fair this past weekend. My husband and 3 year old daughter came along to offer their support, too. We had a great time, although this was my first time in the show ring with my goats. I must admit to being scared at the thought of competing against other adults who've done this for years! We met Bernice there, who was busy working in the show ring and showing her beautiful alpine goats. She is a super lady, and I was thrilled to finally meet her in person. It's amusing to think that we first met via this Countryside forum! The moral is: Even older adults like me can learn new tricks, and also the nicest people can be meet through this forum (like Bernice)! Thank you to Bernice and her husband for their encouraging words.... - Liz Rhein

-- Liz Rhein (merhein@shentel.net), September 25, 2000

Answers

Thanks so much for the kind words Liz. i really enjoyed talking to you too. I was impressed with your goats too and have to tell folks here how well you did too in the adult showmanship class. liz entered the class and showed like a pro for a first time! I forgot your placing, it was 3rd I think? and Liz was so sweet too! She also has some very nice looking goats too, even though they are *ubians!:) LOL I was sooo busy running the show ring, my feet still ache! I tried my best to not show my kids. I worked with them earlier in showing and they were doing great... then they get to the ring and are jumping beans all over. I just returned from the bathroom to see them jumping all over... I laughed so hard and was embarressed too. what a site! We had a near tradegy on the way home, the back tire blew out on the truck, we about 5 miles from home. i watched in horro as the sparks flew and the trailer swerved and the truck was headed for the trees alongside the road. In VA the trees are along the road failry close. Thank God he was able to get it under control. it shook hubby up but goaties were fine. We left at 9 and it was pouring down rain til we got halfway home. but I have to say... it was nice meeting Liz because of the forum and that this is such a nice place.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), September 25, 2000.

Great job Liz! Bernice is very nice and her does beautiful! Lots of folks think raising and showing goats is for the kids, and though there are plenty of kids showing at the open shows, it is really a very adult arena. And though there are animals that someone paid 50$ for, they compete head to head with animals purchased for thousands of dollars! That's the beauty of the game really, money is only going to get you the original animal, once you start having to use your management and your breeding program is when the fun starts! What a challenge it is. Most folks are very nice at shows, though just like in all things of course their are those who take things to the extreme. But I always have a great time at shows and love meeting new folks, especially the gungho new folks, they are always such a breath of fresh air! Keep up the good work! What breed? Vicki........ Nubians, 3 token Lamancha's

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), September 26, 2000.

I'm so glad you arrived home safely, Bernice! God was with you, that's obvious. We arrived home around 10:30 p.m., tired but glad we had gone to the State Fair. I must admit that I placed sixth in the adult showmanship class, and was thrilled that I even placed at all! I was sure that someone was going to get out the "hook" like you see in cartoons and yank me out of the ring!! LOL

Thank you, Vicki, for your support! My family is talking about going to the State Fair again next year, as well as doing the various dairy goat shows, too. Yikes...that means that I will likely have to go in the Show Ring again, if only to show my boys that their Old Mama can do it, too...

-- Liz Rhein (merhein@shentel.net), September 26, 2000.