REDMOND, Ore. — Almost 40 years ago, Carol Mann watched a friend’s goat give birth to a litter of babies. One of the kids was sickly and couldn’t stand up. The people she was with expected the baby to die within a few hours, but Mann was hopeful and took the kid under her wing.

“I basically stole it,” she said.

The goat survived those first few hours and lived a full, healthy life. The experience got her hooked on goats.

Now 77, Mann attended her fourth American Dairy Goat Association national show, which was held in Redmond at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds and Expo Center. Meant to showcase the achievements of dairy goat owners and breeders, people from all over the country traveled with their beloved animals for the weeklong event.

The ADGA National Showcase changes in location every year. The last time it was held in Redmond was 2019. This year, it was July 15-21. During showmanship, goats are judged by how well groomed they are, the muscle they hold and how sturdy they stand. There were competitions for nine different breeds.

Coming from Chino Hills, Calif., Mann made the 14-hour drive with a few friends and her 23 goats. She said she wanted to come to show off her “tremendous animals,” but more importantly, to see the friendly faces that she has gotten to know over the the years doing events like this. She notes that developing friendship is one of the reasons she keeps coming back.

“The youth program is really, really good,” Mann said. “These kids don’t see each other except at nationals or conventions and the friendships have blossomed over the years. Several of these kids that were youth together are now married.”

13-year-old Cleary Berlin from Fort Collins, Colo., dressed in all white competition attire, alongside her other competitors. While this was her first time at nationals, she’s going home with a few ribbons on her sleeve.

Berlin won intermediate showmanship, placed first in a team event, and had one goat place in a junior yearling class. Her first year at nationals was also spent making a few friends.

“I talked to people I know and met some people, too” Berlin said. “It’s fun. I like the goats and doing stuff with everyone.”

Laurie Homer of Hermiston, Ore., also said that her favorite part of the national show is seeing other people who love goats. While this was her first year in person at nationals, Homer had already been well-integrated within the goat community and was excited to finally meet the people she’s interacted with online for so long.

“We get to meet people from all over the United States,” Homer said. “We get to talk to them probably on Facebook. But you know, we meet them in person here. It really is my favorite part. Making contacts and relationships with other goat people.”

Even in the heat of competition, the goat community proved to be a supportive and welcoming one. At one point, Mann needed some assistance getting her goat into the ring. To her surprise, the parents of someone competing against her offered their help.

“The people of Redmond have really been wonderful as we wander around looking for things,” she said. “You know, I mean truly truly, it’s a friendly city.”