The 2026 4-H/FFA Goat Show at the Henry County Fair featured a full day of competition on Thursday as exhibitors showcased their breeding and market goats before judge William Carbino.
In the breeding doe show, Aubrey Loyd had an impressive day, earning Champion Junior Doe, Champion Yearling Doe, Grand Champion Breeding Doe, and Champion County Born Goat honors. Ryen Pepper was named Reserve Champion Junior Doe, while Lily Syfert claimed Reserve Champion Yearling Doe and Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Doe. Abigail Zachmeyer earned Champion Hobby Goat.
In the Market Meat Goat Show, Colin Anderson dominated the competition, winning both the Champion Lightweight and Champion Heavyweight divisions before being selected as the Overall Champion Meat Goat. Anderson’s lightweight entry also received Reserve Champion Meat Goat honors.
Other division winners included Emmett Garza, Champion Mediumweight Meat Goat, with Alexa Lair named Reserve Champion Mediumweight. Ryen Pepper was Reserve Champion Lightweight, and Deegan Parker earned Reserve Champion Heavyweight.
Rounding out the overall market goat placings were Emmett Garza in third, Deegan Parker in fourth, and Alexa Lair in fifth. Lair also received the Champion Rate of Gain award.
Showmanship winners were Ava Kempker in the Junior Division, Deegan Parker in the Intermediate Division, and Ryen Pepper in the Senior Division.
In preparation for the market portion of the goat show, KILJ caught up with cousins Tucker Syfert and Ava Kempker to talk about preparing their market goats for the fair, the work that goes into raising them, and what they enjoy most about showing livestock:
Congratulations to all this year’s exhibitors on a successful 2026 4-H/FFA Goat Show. And a big thank you to these area businesses for sponsoring KILJ’s fair coverage: All American Sanitation, Backyard Brass LLC, C&M Cooling, Heating, and Plumbing, Duraclean, and The Elliott Funeral Chapel of New London.