By Crystal Hayduk
From the mother-daughter superintendent team and the judge to each young person showing goats, all were females who dominated the Chelsea Community Fair goat show held the morning of Aug. 23 in the Multipurpose arena.
The handlers were attentive and dedicated caregivers; as well as intelligent, strong, and determined young goat exhibitors. Even though the total number of animals shown this year was relatively low, the judge was challenged to find trivial things wrong to proclaim the winners in several classes.
Judge Dawn Reha, the goat superintendent in Shiawasee County, has been judging goats for 14 of the 20 years she’s raised them. “I began breeding and showing Nigerian Dwarf goats because my daughter wanted to,” she said. “Then she grew up and moved on; now it’s my passion.”
A self-proclaimed “goat fanatic,” Reha addressed the young exhibitors prior to the show, emphasizing the importance of continued learning, as well as understanding the strengths and weaknesses of individual goats and using the knowledge to grow the herd.
Shelby Williams took first place in senior (age 15+) showmanship, followed by Grace Willis in second place and Faith Olberg in third.
Lucy Young placed first in junior (9-12 years) showmanship; Bridgette Kamara took second.
With only one exhibitor in the novice (ages 6-8) class, Elizabeth Kamara showed her goat with the junior group to gain experience showing in a ring with others.
The grand champion goat was shown by Shelby Williams. Williams said he is only seven weeks old, but was chosen for having the best potential as solid breeding stock.
The grand champion market goat is also owned by Shelby Williams.
The reserve champion market goat is owned by Grace Willis.
Other first place winners at the goat show:
Mother-daughter pair – Shelby Williams; buckling – Shelby Williams; wether pet – Bridgette Kamara; Champion pygmy goat – Faith Olberg; Champion dairy goat – Elizabeth Kamara.
For more upcoming events at the Chelsea Community Fair, please click here.
