Undaunted by the threat of COVID-19, the 2020 4-H goat show was a rousing success, with young people across multiple age groups excitedly showing off all the hard work they’d put into their animals.
Shelby Sprague is a member of Prairie Rose, and has been showing for the last four years.
“I don’t mind the work,” she said. “It’s also really good family time.”
“We raise our own goats. We don’t buy them,” which makes the labor involved even greater.
“It’s awesome to see what you get out of working with your animal,” Sprague added, as she prepared her goats Louise, Highlander and Hereford for the show ring.
When asked about the most challenging part of raising goats, she noted how “they get sick all the time. People starting out don’t really know that.”
Goats also require a lot of personalized attention.
“Some don’t like their back legs touched, or their faces touched,” Sprague explained.
“You have to get to know them.”
Despite all the effort, “I wouldn’t give it up,” she said.
NATALEA Elmenhorst is also a member of Prairie Rose who’s been showing the past four years.
“I like the animals,” she said, and “I like showing sheep because they’re harder” than other livestock, which provides a greater challenge.
And the challenges are multiple.
“They’re really stubborn,” Elmenhorst explained.
“They’ll try to jump on you. Sometimes they’ll trample you and bite your hair.”
