WITH five entries in this year’s pygmy goat section, cattle and sheep were not the only competitive animals on show!

The Footes from Pyworthy were glad to bring eleven of their 26 goats to this year’s show, and proved they are friendly and sociable animals.

With this year being just their second time at Holsworthy Show, Sarah Foote was pleased to have picked up a wide variety of show prizes, including best male kid with Bailey, second for female kid, second for goatling, second for adult female, third for Dam with Progeny, and first for Dam with Progeny.

Sarah admitted that her favourite part of the show was seeing the goats looking their best. She said: “It’s definitely seeing them all in their pens, nice, tidy and ready to go.

“It’s been alright today — there’s been a nice crowd of us, we all tend to muck in and help each other.”

The Footes’ grand collection of pygmy goats on their farm in Pyworthy began in 2013, when Sarah’s husband gifted her four goats as a birthday present. Since then, their love for these animals has only continued to grow, with a group of 26 pygmy goats now causing mischief at home.

Sarah told the Post that pygmy goats are extremely sociable animals, and compared their loving natures to that of a dog’s. “You start them off as kids — the younger they are, the better. So you start them off with a leash and train them up, a bit like you would a puppy. We let them out in the field in the evenings — they like an evening stroll, nibbling at the hedges.

“I was given four as a birthday present from my husband — so it all started in 2013. As soon as they’re born, they’re a bit like a puppy — they love it when you give them attention.”

She pointed out a little black and white goat in the next pen, and said: “Our little goat Penelope was given to our daughter — she started teaching her tricks and now does all sorts of things at home. It’s a bit like a dog, the more attention you give them, the more loving they are!”