Guidelines for Fitting and Showing Meat Goats in Youth Competitions ^(4/02)

by Susan Schoenian
Area Agent, Sheep and Goats
Western Maryland Research & Education Center
Maryland Cooperative Extension

Fitting

Youth should be well-groomed and properly attired, according to show rules. Baseball caps should not be worn in ring. Shirt tails should be tucked in.
Youth should not carry brushes or combs in their back pockets.
Youth should be polite and respectful to the judge and other exhibitors.
Youth should be knowledgeable about meat goats and their project; they should know the strong and weak points of their project animal and recognize the same in other animals.
Fitting should be the work of the youth exhibitor; younger or disabled youth may receive assistance from their parents and/or older youth.
Fitting expectations will be based on the age and experience of the youth exhibitor.
Meat goats should be clean, free of manure, dirt and dead hair.
Meat goats should have no more than 3/8 niches of hair. They should be clipped approximately two weeks prior to the day of the show. Freshly clipped goats (with clipper marks) will be discriminated against.
Clippers should be run parallel to the length of the body rather than vertically; hair on the end of the tail can be bobbed.
It is preferred that meat goats not be clipped below the knees or hocks.
Hooves should be clean and properly trimmed.
No artificial coloring should be used, including on the hooves.

Showing

Youth should be well-groomed and properly attired, according to show rules. Baseball caps should not be worn in ring. Shirt tails should be tucked in.
Youth should not carry brushes or combs in their back pockets.
Youth should be polite and respectful to judge and other exhibitors.
Youth should be knowledgeable about meat goats and their project; they should know the strong and weak points of their project animal and be able to recognize the same in other animals.
Meat goats may be shown with a collar, lead, chain, halter or hand under the jaw (unless show rules state otherwise). No preference will be given, so long as proper techniques are used. For example: long leads should be avoided; collars should not appear to "choke" the animal; the hand should not rest on the goat's neck or back, etc.
Exhibitors should be on time for their class(es).
Goats should be led from the left hand side.
Animals should not be dragged into, out of or in the show ring.
If a goat does not lead, you should reach back and lift up its tail. If the exhibitor ahead of you is having problems getting his goat to move, you should help him/her.
Exhibitors should be familiar with the show ring, know where the high and low spots are, and where the best place would be to set up a goat; do not set up goat in a low spot.
Goats should be properly set up before the judge arrives for close inspection; all four feet should be set at the corners of the goat's body; the goat's weight should be evenly distributed over its legs.
The goat's head should be held up, with its body, neck and head in a straight line.
Exhibitor should keep one eye on the goat and one eye on the judge.
The goat should always be kept between the exhibitor and the judge.
Exhibitor should not cover goat with their body and block the judge's view.
The preferred way to show meat goats is not to brace the animal. Listen to the judge to determine if bracing is allowed. Be prepared to brace your goat if bracing is allowed by the judge.
Never pick up your goat so that both front feet are off the ground.
When showing meat goats, standing is preferred to kneeling. If you kneel, you should squat and not put your knees on the ground.
Don't stop showing until you are released from the show ring.
Under no circumstances should animals be struck or whipped.
Remain calm; do not overwork yourself or your goat. Have fun.

The Show

Upon entering the show ring, goats will be lined up in a straight line for a rear view, parallel to one another.
The judge will instruct exhibitors to walk their goats and stop for a side view – in a straight line, head-to-tail.
The judge will closely inspect and handle each goat. The judge may ask the exhibitor questions about meat goats or the exhibitor's project.
The judge will indicate when an exhibitor should move his/her goat into the placing line. This line-up is typically another rear view. The judge may ask the exhibitor to change positions in line.
Exhibitors should wait until they have been released before leaving the show ring.

Guidelines for Fitting and Showing Meat Goats in Youth Competitions (4/02)

Fitting

Showing

The Show

Guidelines for Fitting and Showing Meat Goats in Youth Competitions ^(4/02)