Show day finally arrives, but I had to wait until after lunch to show

Day 1:

After much delay in leaving, we appeared in the barns, and got our things unloaded. When the goats were settled, Mom and I decided to go on the Midway, and get something to eat. When we came back, many of our old friends had made it in, and I really enjoyed catching up. Later that night, the MGA (Mississippi Goat Association) hosted a dinner and fellowship. About 12pm, we got out our cots, and tried to figure out how to turn out the lights in the barn. After some tinkering, Mom got about half of them out. It had been a long day, and it was nice to settle in for the night. It is never quiet in the barn, goats bleat, and people walk through at all hours, but the little bit of sleep we get is better than none. This night was no exception. A doe delivered triplets at about two in the morning. I think she must have hollered for three hours. There was also the usual fare of people who came through trying to wake people up. One guy walked around yelling, “Where’s the bathroom?” Oddly, I usually sleep better the first night of the two. 

Day 2:

Show day finally arrives, but I had to wait until after lunch to show, because ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association) shows in alphabetical order.  Things got hopping early in the barns; people washing goats, and the usual pre-show routines. The lights also came back on about seven a.m., which prompted me to get up. After breakfast, we made our way to the public bathrooms to dress. I opted against the usual “Show Whites” for this day. As I soon found out, so did many others. While I was waiting on my class, I managed to fit in a couple of classes for others. Saturday was my easy day, as I was only showing two of my does. When Mom did her morning milking, we got a little mixed up, and thought that we could not milk Bianca, my younger milking doe. The mix up was I wasn’t showing her until Sunday, so milking at the usual time Saturday was fine. She was a much happier girl, not having an udder overfull with milk. When I finished late that evening, the ribbon’s colors I had gained were not that bad. A second and forth place for my day’s work. I got to show a Toggenburg doe for a friend, and that was heavenly. There is a special place in my heart for that breed of goats. I love their coloring and their temperament is the best, as far as I am concerned.  I adore my Saanens, but Toggenburgs have really won me over. Late that night, I rode around and surveyed the bunch of meat goats in the adjacent barn. My friend and her Dad explained how the meat goat show is divided, in terms I can understand, since I am a dunce when it comes to meat goats and their shows.  That night brought the usual challenges in sleeping, rude people, restless animals, and lights, but I somehow got a little sleep.

Day 3:

After breakfast I donned my “Show Whites”. This was the money show, and I wanted everything about me to reflect well on my goats. After the long wait, I stepped in the ring, and came away with a second place ribbon. A few classes later, third place was my prize. My next two classes were back to back, and I had to really scramble to get in the ring my second time. One class turned out to be my worst, as the older of my two young does decided not to walk, but my placing in that class was not all that bad, fifth which is still in the money. My youngest doe was a dream come true , a real natural in the ring, and she walked away with second in her class. I was so proud of her performance. After I was done in the show ring, we began loading up, anticipating home, a bath, and bed. When the show was finally over, we loaded up the goats and hit the road, one place on our minds. Pulling into the driveway at home was fantastic. After settling the goats in their barn, feeding and milking, I got my long awaited bath, and couldn’t wait to get into bed.  The show is always fun, but by the end of it, I am more than happy to pack up and head back to the farm. The goats are always glad to be home was well. I think if they could talk, they would say they didn’t want to go to the show at all.