DIVISION 320: JUNIOR PYGMY GOATS
Tuesday, July 28
10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Arrival. All goats MUST be in place by Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, July 29 9:00 a.m. Junior Show - Show will begin with Showmanship followed by the Junior pygmy goat show, wethers, and concluding with registered/unregistered does
3:30 p.m. Scarlet Open Show - If the Junior Show runs past 3:30 p.m. the open show will start 30 minutes after the conclusion of the junior show. Peewee showmanship will be the first class at the beginning of the Scarlet Open Show. There is no charge for peewee showmanship, online entry is preferred but can be completed at check in.
Thursday, July 30 9:00 a.m. Gray Open Show
Release: All goats will be released following the conclusion of the buck show on Thursday, July 30. Release slips must be obtained from the Pygmy goat office prior to leaving the fairgrounds.
All goats MUST be removed from the barn by 8:00 p.m.
Brittany Baker
Director
DEPARTMENT STAFF
Phone: 740-400-1102
Email: thebakerbarn2022@gmail.com
Entries close June 21 at 1 p.m.
ONLINE ENTRY
You MUST enter online at www.ohiostatefair.com.
Exhibitors should keep their exact login information (username/password). You must provide information for either your FFA advisor or 4-H County Extension Professional. The junior exhibitor’s entry will not be finalized until the confirmation is received back from either the FFA Advisor or 4-H County Professional.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Show Rules
321 Showmanship
Wethers
Unregistered Does
NPGA Registered Does
NPGA Registered Bucks
Grounds Rules
Junior Pygmy Goat entry fee is $10.00 per goat per class
Processing fees may apply.
Junior Showmanship is no charge but should be entered online.
No late junior entries.
Exhibitors are responsible for making sure that their animals are entered in the correct classes
Base date for computing each animal’s age is the date of the show July 29 and 30, 2026.
SHOW RULES
All terms and conditions are subject to change, including but not limited to premiums.
The Junior Fair Show will be an unsanctioned show, including registered and unregistered does and wethers.
This show is open to all boys and girls having pygmy goat projects in Ohio 4-H or FFA.
There is no limit per class per exhibitor on number of animals shown.
All classes are based on the animal’s age at the time of the show.
Any breed failing to exhibit a total of 20 animals will be cause for evaluation of continuing this breed or division in future shows.
All entries must be made in the junior exhibitor’s name.
All registered and unregistered goats may enter.
All class corrections should be made by Tuesday, July 28 at 8 p.m. Any goat not entered in correct class will be unable to show.
All substitutions must be completed at the time of check in. with a maximum of three (3) per exhibitor. Any additional substitutions over the three will be charged a $10 entry fee, that is due at the time of check in.
There is no late entry for the junior pygmy goat show.
Original registration certificates for registered goats must be in the exhibitor’s possession at the fairgrounds to prove ID and ownership.
All goats may be horned.
Pygmy goats presented for exhibition must show
All animals must pass a health check conducted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The staff at vet check reserve the right to disqualify any animal not in good health and the decision of the ODA staff is final.
Grain, hay and straw, as well as first bedding, will not be provided; but, it will be available for purchase.
Pen assignments will made by management for both open and junior pygmy goat exhibitors.
There is no fee for pens. Pen size is 4x5.
All animals must remain in pens until designated release time. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of premiums.
DIVISION 320: JUNIOR PYGMY GOATS
SHOW RULES
Junior Exhibitors must show their own animals. Exceptions will be made only for exhibitors who may be physically impaired, who have two animals entered in the same class, or an exhibitor is absent on show day due to other commitments. In case of these exceptions another boy or girl who is eligible to be an Ohio Junior Division Exhibitor and must be resident of the State of Ohio, may exhibit the animal with the authorization of the department director. If a Junior Fair Livestock Exhibitor cannot be present at the time of judging the exhibitor will need to present to the department director a written permission notice signed by the football coach, band director or any other person in charge of an activity that is in conflict and prevents the exhibitor from being present at the time of judging. This notice must be on official letterhead of the organization and given to the department director 24 hours before show day and must include name, county, birthdate, home phone number, and complete address of the exhibitor's, work phone of the person in charge of the event (i.e. football coach, band director, etc.) Also include a brief description of the conflict.
DIVISION 320: JUNIOR PYGMY GOATS
321: SHOWMANSHIP
The purpose of showmanship is to encourage young exhibitors to acquire skill and know-how in the handling of animals and to obtain information and practice in fitting and grooming them for show.
All exhibitors should wear a nice shirt with jeans during the show. This attire is recommended to maintain professional appearance and is in line with the standards set by the National Pygmy Goat Association.
Exhibitors must show their own animal in showmanship. The judge may ask that exhibitors show another exhibitor’s animal during the course of the show.
Advanced entry in showmanship is available online and will be confirmed at check in.
Exhibitors are to fit their own animal.
All animals shown in showmanship must be entered and shown in their respective breeding and/or market class.
Judges will consider the general ability and know- how of exhibitors in training and handling of animals, the manner in which he/she presents their animal, how they handle themselves in the ring, how to fit and groom their animal (while the grooming alone will not be emphasized), Knowledge and use of good show ring equipment and correct use of equipment, accepted show ring practices, customs and exhibitors may be asked questions about their animal and the species
Showmanship is shown on exhibitors age as of January 1, 2026
Showmanship will be shown oldest to youngest
Classes may be split if entry number warrants. If a class has more than 15 exhibitors it will be divided at the discretion of the show management.
Pee Wee Showmanship will be the first class at the beginning of the Scarlet Open Show on Wednesday. There will be no charge for this class, online entry is preferred. Available to children age 8 and under.
CLASS ENTRIES
1 Ages 17-18
2 Ages 15 -16
3 Ages 13 - 14
4 Ages 11 - 12
5 Ages 9 - 10
6 First year, under age 11
7 Showmen of Showmen
8 PeeWee Showmanship
DIVISION 320: JUNIOR PYGMY GOATS
GOAT SKILLATHON
All junior fair skillathon top 10 champions, regardless of age, will receive money from the Youth Reserve Program. The goat skillathon is a combination of boer, dairy and pygmy. Types of goat are not separated to determine winners. This amount varies from year to year and will be announced during each skillathon award ceremony.
Additional information regarding Skillathons and Project Book Record Contest can be found at https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/get-involved/livestock/livestock-competitions. Skillathon is listed under In person and virtual skillathon (scroll towards the bottom).
Pygmy goat exhibitors can participate in both the online skillathon and the in person goat skillathon.
Pygmy Goat Incentive Program - New in 2026!
Pygmy Goat exhibitors will be offered a special incentive for participating in Showmanship, a pygmy goat class, and the pre-fair online skillathon. The Skillathon is the OSU Extension offered virtual skillathon. This participation is for classes and contests offered at the 2026 Oho State Fair. If you are participating in the virtual skillathon it must be completed on or before July 23, 2026.
In Person: Friday, August 7 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
DIVISION 320: JUNIOR PYGMY GOATS
WETHERS
CLASS ENTRIES
001 Wethers under 4 months Class
002 Wethers 4 months to under 8 months Class
003 Wethers 8 months to under 1 year Class
004 Wethers 1 year to under 18 months Class
005 Wethers 18 months to under 24 months Class
006 Wethers 2 years to under 3 years Class
007 Wethers 3 years and under 5 years Class
008 Wethers 5 years and over
SELECTION OF TOP 5 WETHERS
Top 5 Overall: The top 3 placing wethers in each age class will compete for the top 5 pygmy goat wethers overall.
DIVISION 320: JUNIOR PYGMY GOATS
UNREGISTERED DOES/NPGA REGISTERED DOES
CLASS ENTRIES
013 Baby doe kids 0 – 3 months of age Class
014 Junior doe kids 3 – 6 months of age Class
015 Intermediate doe kids 6 – 9 months of age Class
016 Senior doe kids 9 – 12 months of age Class
017 Junior unfreshened yearling does 12 –under 15 months of age Class
018 Junior unfreshened yearling does 15 months to under 18 months of age Class
019 Junior unfreshened yearling does 18 –under 21 months of age Class
020 Junior unfreshened yearling does 21 months to under 24 months of age
Junior Doe Division Class
SELECTION OF JUNIOR AND RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION DOES
CLASS ENTRIES
023 Junior freshened yearling does up to 24 months of age Class
024 Does 24 months to 30 months of age Class
025 Does 30 months to under 36 months of age Class
026 3 year old does Class
027 4 year old does and older Class
028 Milking does (does of any age in milk)
Senior Doe Division Class
SELECTION OF SENIOR AND RESERVE SENIOR CHAMPION DOES
SELECTION OF GRAND AND RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION DOES
The General Rules for the Ohio State Fair will be forthcoming.
LIVESTOCK COMPETITIONS
GENERAL RULES