I absolutely love showing animals.  My mind goes to a good place when I can watch an outstanding animal or better yet, when there is a kid working to make an animal look outstanding.  I love it.  I like judging shows, but I would rather watch a kid working their animal at home, when very few are watching.  That, my friends, is when champions are built, showmanship awards are won and better yet, kids learn what they are supposed to about showing.  I love it.  

      It is the actual show ring that I can give two squirts of duck ….. about.   Now, you have a judge that may know up from down or maybe not.  You may have some dirty pool.  Maybe not.  You may have some over anxious parents that have lost sight of the goals.  It happens.  In all species.  In all events.  Athletics….they’ve made movies about the stupid parents involved with athletics.  It’s everywhere.  

     I truly don’t care about who has what on feed.  Fine…that breeder cut a deal with so and so and that goat went from this state to that state and is now back.  Fine.  What does this family have on feed?  I can already tell you…good ones.  They are normally competitive so I’m pretty sure that they will have good ones on feed.  I don’t like ou football, but I know that they will almost always have a good team.  I would rather spend my time trying to take care of what we have than worry about all of the others that are out there.  I don’t have control of those, so why worry.  I’ll just be happy here in paradise and teach Duke to do the best that he can with what we have.  Which is supposed to be the end result of what we are doing in the JR. stock show industry. Correct me if I’m wrong.  But, I’m not.

      Anytime that you want to know what Duke has on feed, come see us.  It’s simple.  Call me.  Show up.  Act like you want to look at goats for sale. Then ask if you can see Duke’s stock. Sure.  This is how it goes from there.  “Duke set your wethers up.”  That’s it.  Whether you buy something or not, there is nothing to hide here.  The same goats will be here.  

     I love showing animals.  But I can get pretty sour on the crap that adults do regarding showing animals.  I want my kid to win.  But, I really want to raise my kid to do it right.  I am REAL proud of the job that Tammy and I did with our eldest kid.  And I REALLY like our chances with this next offspring.  These kids are similar, but not the same.  The feed bill is different.  Growth patterns aren’t the same.  Attitudes are way different.  Goals are way different.  But, check back in a few years.  Despite his parents, I like our chances of raising this kid.  And that is our goal.  And as long as he says that he wants to show, then we will show.  If he wants to show sheep, fine, I’ll make a call.  If he wants to show calves, GREAT, but I’m going to need to sell some high dollar goats.  Chickens–YES–We’ve been known to win some cock shows.  

      This is a great day with the Kelln Klan.  I hope you all have a similar kind of day.  Turn the tunes up, be happy and I look forward to seeing you all at a stock show.  Or just come here and be in a good mood.  

P.S.  This for all you young bastards with a camera.

 “Pretend photshop doesn’t exist when you shoot.  It will help you focus on your angles, composition and lighting much better.”  

In other words, learn to judge an animals best angles.  Highlight their atributes but don’t fake it.  Learn to read your subject.  Don’t change it into something that it isn’t.