Goat Show
In 2012 Sharon Coombe who was the
section secretary said:
"The Goat Section at Stithians Show has been running for over 40 years,
recognised by the British Goat Society since 1969, making it the most
southerly recognised show in the UK.
At its peak in the early 1980s, over 300 Dairy Goats were entered. Since
2003, there have been classes for Pygmy Goats, proving extremely popular
with the public.
I became involved when I exhibited my own goats in 2003, taking on the
Section Secretary's role a year later when Mrs Hadwin retired. It's a
great honour to be involved, I had visited the show for as long as I
could remember, making a bee line straight for the goat tents, never
once imagining I would be an exhibitor (it all seemed so glamorous), let
alone organising it all! There is an incredible amount of work involved,
starting 18 months before show, when Judges are booked.
As we are a recognised BGS Show, a milking trial is held for
the Dairy
Goats. In simple terms this means all the milking goats entered have to
be on the showground the day before the show, and are milked twice in 24 hours under supervision (morning & evening of show day), weights of milk
are officially recorded and samples taken. These are then sent away for
analysis (butterfats & proteins), and awards can be given based on the
results of the milking trial and the inspection classes on show day.
There are strict rules and regulations to ensure fairness, and my
ability to organise the section is being studied, as well as the goats
by the visiting Judge! Thankfully the Pygmy Goats are a little simpler,
just being judged on the day, by their own specialist Judge.
There is much paperwork involved before, after & during the show,
meetings to attend, organising stewards (which I could not run the show
without), and just generally trying to not to forget anything or anyone
(I usually manage at least one thing!)"
For information on competing and for schedules please click here