NATIONAL 2014 ABGA SHOW JUDGES by Rachel Stine
Like the industry itself, the 2014 American Boer Goat Association (ABGA) national show judges are diverse. While their backgrounds, reason for becoming involved and daily lives differ, they all bring a passion for the industry every time they step in the ring. One thing they can all agree on: their devotion to Boer goats and the people who breed, sell and show them. Anton Ward, Sherri Inman Stephens, Scott Pruett and Josh Taylor give us a glimpse into their lives in and out of the ring.
Anton Ward, ABGA judge Anton Ward of Magnolia, N.C., is a six-time veteran judge of the national show. In fact, he was one of the first ABGA-certified judges. Born and raised on a South African ranch, Ward is a Boer goat expert. Having raised and judged cattle, goats and sheep in his native country, he says when Boer goats were first imported into the U.S., he saw them as a promising venture so much that he followed them here. Before moving to the states in the ’90s, he worked closely with feedlots in South Africa. Involvement in the industry has always been something he’s enjoyed, he says. “It’s nice to look at quality animals, but I’ve also enjoyed connecting with breeders,” he says. “Learning from and educating others, standing and talking about goats is something I just really like to do.” Although he enjoys judging, it’s most about the socialization that happens at shows, especially the national show. “It’s the one time a year everyone 8 - The Boer Goat
comes together in one place,” he says. “A lot of stories are told. It’s a very good event, and everyone is able to have a good time.” Ward says one of his most memorable moments happened in El Paso, Texas, at their Boer goat show. He likes to evaluate goats loose from their exhibitors. At this particular ring, the gates were low. From his vantage point, he could see a buck jump the fence and head straight into the bathroom where a group of young ladies had just walked in. “All of the sudden, it got quiet,” he laughs. “Pretty soon, the goat came running out, followed by the girls. It was quite funny to watch.” But his day-to-day routine doesn’t always deliver that much excitement, he says. Ward lives on a farm where he breeds and sells goats and cattle. Aside from daily chores, farm visits, marketing and typical farm jobs, he sells poultry equipment off-farm. His love for the industry has been in his blood since birth, he says, and he plans to continue with a strong involvement in it. He says his goals are to see breeders strive to the original breed standards and view the goats as meat animals first and foremost. “I’ll continue trying to educate as many breeders as possible, and do my part to continue to help the industry grow and keep it the successful as the fastest-growing ag venture in the country,” he says. “It’s a nice industry, and I’m fortunate to be a part of it.”
Sherri Inman Stephens, ABGA judge Sherri Inman Stephens didn’t have a livestock background when she became involved in Boer goats. But it didn’t take her long to learn and become an influence in the industry. Stephens was first exposed to Boer goats through 4-H when her son wanted to show. It started off as a new project in her area, and quickly turned in to traveling outside of her Indiana roots to open shows. “We decided we liked it and wanted to get more serious and competitive,” she says. It was through her son, Cain’s, involvement that he talked her in to her first big goat investment, Gandolph, a young buck purchased from Greg Patterson. “I thought I was crazy to pay that much for a goat, but thanks to Cain, Gandolph put us on the right track in the Boer goat show industry,” she says. Shortly after starting to show in 2000, the Stephens family went on to win the grand and reserve champion doe titles at the Indiana State Fair open show. It was while watching her son show that she says she first became interested in judging. “I saw a judge working with the kids in showmanship, and it looked like so much fun,” she says. “I could place the goats like the judges, and I realized this was something I could do.” She studied the breed standards, and in 2005, became an ABGA certified judge. In the beginning, she just wanted to do county fairs, but since then, she’s shown and judged at the national level. “I really appreciate the people of the Boer goat industry. Every place I’ve been, I’ve been welcomed,” Stephens says. “I love the camaraderie. I always