MOUNT VERNON — Balance. Squareness. Control.
Judge Doug Bayliss was looking for a showman who could make their goat stand as if it was a statue Monday evening.
“I’m looking for that picture,” Bayliss said, explaining that onlookers should be able to take a crystal clear picture of the goats, with no movement that would cause a blurry image.
Erich Rhodeback, 18, did just that.
When his goat moved, he got it right back into place, with its legs equally spaced.
Rhodeback has been showing goats since he was a fourth grader, he said. He has won showman of his class years at the Knox County Fair a handful of times, but for the first time Monday he achieved the top title — master showman for goats.
For Monday’s showmanship event, Rhodeback had been working with his goat daily since May.
“I’m in the barn three to four hours every night,” Rhodeback said.
Rhodeback’s control of his goat, and specifically his ability to make careful feet placements, did not come without hard work.
“It’s the most complicated,” he said, referring to feet placement. “It’s the biggest part of it all together.”
After nearly a decade of showmanship, this is Rhodeback’s last eligible year of participation, as he will age out at his next birthday.
However, Rhodeback plans to continue working with animals.
Rhodeback graduated from Mount Vernon High School this past spring and will be attending Purdue University to study animal science.
Rhodeback’s advice to other showmen: always look to keep improving.
“Don’t stop early,” he said. “I know once you get close to the fair you think you’re good, but just keep going. Don’t stop short.”
Children as young as eight years old participated in Monday night’s showmanship event. Various villages throughout Knox County were represented in the event’s top placers.
Rhodeback placed first in the 15 years and older senior showmanship class. Rhodeback represented Anything Goes 4-H Club.
Fredericktown’s Kayleen Small placed first for intermediate showmanship for ages of 12 to 14. Smith represented Boots and Banners.
Mount Vernon’s Phoebe Mussard placed first for junior showmanship for the ages of 9 through 11. Mussard represented Liberty Livestock.
Bellville’s Hadlee Miller placed first in the first year showmanship category for children between the ages of eight and 11. Miller represented Country Critters.
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