Clara said she ’ s always been interested in Ag animals . Her agriculture teacher at the Weatherford Ninth Grade Center , Mrs . Seal , convinced her to try to show a goat . The goat lives in her backyard .
“ I ’ ve always loved animals and I want to be a vet when I ’ m older ,” Clara said . “ I figured this would be good to be around large animals . I just really love animals ,” she continued .
She was readying herself and her male goat named Cabrito for the upcoming Fort Worth Stock Show , having already gotten her “ feet wet ” at a couple of Jackpot shows , one in Fort Worth and one in McKinney . Although she didn ’ t place at either of the events , she said that she learned a lot about the showmanship necessary to do well at the next event . According to her Ag teacher , DeAnn Seal , a Jackpot show is just a smaller show , usually one day , where the students get to practice showing their animals . Clara said she learned a few things at the Jackpots . “ I ’ ll learn different traits , how to interact with other people . And how to get the judge ’ s attention ,” she said .
Seal is new to Weatherford ISD and is teaching both agriculture classes and the veterinary medicine class that the high school offers . She is a graduate of Texas A & M with a degree in animal science . She grew up in the Weatherford area and was most recently at Venus ISD .
The next show is really the big one for the year . Clara admitted she has never attended the Fort Worth Stock Show , although she has been to the rodeo , and she ’ s looking forward to it . “ I guess just the experience of showing . But winning college money would be nice . I ’ ve never been to the stock show before . This is like the major show ,” she said . She and her goat have to be in Fort Worth two days before the show planned for either Jan . 28 or 29 . The date depends on her goat ’ s weight along with the others in his class .
Clara has spent a lot of time with her goat , exercising him , feeding and caring for him . The goats are judged on a number of categories including , “ If they are structurally well-built and
how much they weigh . Don ’ t look scrawny , but not fat . If they have a lot of muscle ,” she said . It ’ s also a competition for the young owners . According to Clara , you have to prove that you can control them and brace them to show off their features . She has spent more than five hours per week working with her goat getting him ready for show season .
In both Spanish and Portuguese cabrito means a roast goat kid eaten in various Iberian and Latin American cuisines , so it ’ s ironic that Clara isn ’ t interested in selling him after the stock show . She said in the Fort Worth Stock Show you can choose whether you send your animal for sale or just take him home with you . At other shows like Houston or San Antonio you don ’ t get them back . The animals are either slaughtered or sold . She thinks of him more as a pet and has enjoyed raising him . She said , “ Goats are very funny . Extremely funny .” I asked her if it was true that goats will eat anything ; she said “ no .” “ Goats are good companions with cattle . Cattle eat the grass and the goats eat the rest ,” she added .
Seal described what is required of a student who wants to raise and show an animal . “ It ’ s an everyday commitment . Feeding , watering , bathing . They learn to vaccinate , worm , check for illnesses . They actually learn to manage their own livestock ,” she said . “ It ’ s just fun all around and it ’ s a great experience for the kids . For Clara , it ’ s her first big show . She will have to micromanage her animal and make sure he doesn ’ t eat or drink too much .”
Overall , the showing experience is a good one for most students who choose it . “ They have to learn to be responsible and to take care of their animal . In FFA we pay close attention to their project . If they aren ’ t caring for the animal they can lose the opportunity . We make sure they learn the proper way to care for their animals ,” Seal said . Of the Conlons , she said , “ They were surprised to get a goat , but as a family they are really enjoying the experience . The first year is always a learning experience . They are an awesome family .”
Dickie Jones Nationwide Agency
Commercial . Farm . Ranch
4050 E I-20 | Willow Park , Tx | 76087 | 817.596.5500
FEBRUARY 2017 PARKER COUNTY TODAY
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