My report?   G o o d   G o a t s !   The rest is just details...

The 2002 American Boer Goat Association Annual Membership Meeting and Show on June 6th through 8th in West Monroe, Louisiana, lived up to expectations. The Ike Hamilton Center is an excellent facility for this type of event. It has a large indoor arena with plenty of space for a show ring and all of the pens - all in air conditioned comfort for the goats, exhibitors and observers. Some open air pens were used but that was at the discretion of the exhibitors - they could have been housed inside. There were only two complaints - the wash racks were too far from the pens and the facility management prohibited hay in the pen area.
The plaque on Kelly Graham's sculpture of Ike Hamilton at the center's entry reads "A Pair of Legends ~ Quarter horse history was made in 1963 when West Monroe auctioneer Ike Hamilton sold the World Champion Cutting Mare, Poco Lena. Ike Hamilton became a Hall of Fame livestock auctioneer. Poco Lena, through her sons Doc O'Lena and Dry Doc, revolutionized the cutting horse industry."

The "reason for the season" is the annual membership meeting. At this years meeting the membership was asked to consider eight motions...

• A standing motion to invite South African judges to the next national show and to conduct judging schools was accepted.
  

• Adoption of an additional registry or herd book for color-varient boers - rejected.
• Adoption of the South African Breed Standards - withdrawn.
• Adoption of the South African Breed Standards & adoption of an additional registry or herd book for color-varient boers - withdrawn.
• Direction to the board of directors to offer a contract to Beyond Graphics to publish the official association magazine - accepted with performance amendment.
• Limitation on reimbursement for board members attending mandatory association functions - rejected.
• Acceptance of judges who had not passed the ABGA judges courses - rejected.
• Assignment of traditional board functions to general membership approval - Removed as illegal.

But the drawing card, the enticement to members to attend the annual meeting, is the ABGA National Boer Goat Show!
There were goats from almost every state. There were exhibitors who had never shown before. There were winners who had shown but never won. There were repeat winners.

Check In - I talked to almost every exhibitor during the four days of the gathering and not one complained about check in or pen assignment. By the time the last goats were unloaded Thursday afternoon just about everyone was ready for one (or more) of Rena Lynch's famous libations. Then the politicking started. Everyone was talking to anyone who would listen about the upcoming votes on the motions. I doubt that anyone changed their minds because of these "spirited" discussions but most made the effort anyway.

Friday morning started out well... There were 131 entries in the percentage Boer doe classes. It was obvious from the outset that the judges would have a difficult time selecting the best from this group of fine does. Each animal must be judged on it's "as presented" condition but a lot of judges overlook some very fine younger animals because the older ones look more complete or of higher condition. It is not widely known but one of the attributes that the South African judges bring to the table is the ability to see the future value of an animal. My good friends Shelby and Larry Friend can attest to the South Africans' eye toward the future in Boers. Their two entries in Class 2, Percentage Doe Kids 3-6 Months, were named ABGA National Junior Champion and Reserve Champion and then went on to be the Grand and Reserve Grand Champions! The two does are natural twins and the product of natural breeding.
After her goat, the Junior Champion, was judged against the Senior Champion Shelby didn't understand why she and her goat had been returned to the line while Larry's goat, the Reserve Junior Champion, was let loose to be judged against the Senior Champion. She didn't realize that her goat had won the Percentage Grand Champion award until it was announced.

Beth Mason obviously knows the proper inducement to performance in the show ring... Her goat was named National Percentage Champion Doe after receiving this kiss on the face.

Eddie Holland didn't kiss his goat, the National Percentage Reserve Champion Doe.

Bill Ryals of Ryals Rocking R took home National Junior Champion Full Blood Doe honors with the pretty young thing.

Alton Fowler's doe was awarded National Junior Reserve Champion Full Blood Doe honors.

Terry and Ann Brock of Brock Boers brought home the Full Blood Senior Doe championship trophy with FSE High Magic Dreamer.

Jerry and Judy Warren of Marlow, Oklahoma, took Full Blood Senior Doe Reserve with RPBG "Agnes WF1".

The Senior Champion fullblood doe, High Magic Dreamer, was named ABGA National Grand Champion Fullblood Boer Doe.

The Senior Reserve Champion received the ABGA National Reserve Grand Champion Fullblood Boer Doe honors.

High Magic Dreamer and her son rest after a long, exciting day. Her owner, Terry Brock, said, "This is a dream come true". Dreamer was the 2001 Reserve Grand Champion Doe. During the 2001-2002 show season it seemed that this doe was entered in every show where I had a goat entered - of course my goats never beat her. Now maybe Terry and Ann will leave her at home.

"Star Ryder", MD Shurley's entry, was named Junior Champion Fullblood Boer Buck.

Fowler Livestock, of Andrews, Texas, took home the Junior Reserve Champion Fullblood Boer Buck trophy with BDF-N136.

Claire Powell's buck, Powell/Holman Bingo, won Senior Champion Fullblood Boer Buck honors coming out of the 12-18 month class.

XS Ranch 346 "Starbuck" received the Senior Reserve Champion Fullblood Boer Buck honor.

This is the second time that Powell/Holman bucks have been named National Grand Champion. The first, Tabu, went on to be a major factor in the direction of the American Boer breed. If Bingo does as much we may have a new "dynasty" in the industry.

In naming "Star Ryder" the Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Boer Buck the judges validated the the top line being bred by XS Ranch. "Star Ryder" is an own son of XS-346 "Starbuck", the Senior Reserve Champion.

I was very impressed by this 2002 ABGA National meeting and show. The attendees, exhibitors, and officials were pleasant to work with and the facility is outstanding. There was good press coverage and many of the local citizens attended throughout the three day event. Many vendors were on hand to demonstrate or display their products. The facility and surrounding area was so popular that over 100 exhibitors signed a petition requesting that the next year's meeting and show be held in the same place. The board deferred action pending additional information.