By Crystal Hayduk
Tyler Brooks took the top honors with his goats at the Chelsea Fair on Aug. 24.
The eight-year-old novice exhibitor earned first place in showmanship with his mini-Alpine goat, Tender. According to the judge, Shelby Williams, Brooks had both good control and knowledge of his goat.
Brooks also handled the Alpine goat that was named the overall Grand Champion.
Although Williams is a first-time judge, she enters the ring with many years of experience with goats.
“I started showing goats when I was six years old and got to show for close to 12 years,” she said. “I would have showed for the last time in 2020, but COVID-19 canceled the fair, and then I aged out. I’m really excited now to be returning as a judge.”
Williams calls Ann Arbor home, but has always shown goats at the Chelsea Fair. Goat Superintendent Sue Rodgers said goats are open class, so there is no residency requirement for showing them—unlike market clubs that require handlers to live in Chelsea, Dexter, or Grass Lake to participate.
Both Rodgers and Williams view the youngest handlers as important to the future of goats. Just before the close of Wednesday’s show, anyone in the audience who wanted to try goat handling was invited into the ring to handle a goat with instruction and assistance by the novice exhibitors. The “fun class” exhibitors each received a participant ribbon for their efforts.
“I love goats,” said Williams, who developed easy rapport with the young handlers and their animals. “They’re cute and have real personalities. Goats don’t require a huge space commitment like bigger animals, either.”
Placements
Showmanship: Tyler Brooks (8), son of Jason and Mary Brooks, placed first with his mini-Alpine goat, Tender; Madison Brooks (6), daughter of Jason and Mary Brooks, took second place with her mini-Alpine goat, Oreo; Brimley Jones (5), daughter of Eric and Bethany Jones, took third place with her Boer goat, Roxy; Bryce Bigford (5), son of Tyler and Kristin Bigford, took fourth place with his Nigerian Dwarf goat, Little Angel.
Grand Champion: Tyler Brooks
Reserve Champion: Bryce Bigford
Senior Doe Kid: Bryce Bigford
Dry Doe: Madison Brooks
Senior Milker: Tyler Brooks
Doe Kid: Brimley Jones
Wether pet: Tyler Brooks
Costume Class: All received a special ribbon for participating. Oreo was a “chill” goat wearing the gardener outfit for her handler, Madison Brooks. Tyler Brooks and his goat chose a Pokémon theme, dressing as Pikachu with Tender as a Poké Ball. Brimley Jones and Roxy went with a Halloween theme as a witch with a zombie. Bryce Bigford’s Little Angel sported a fireman costume with flair.
