What JABGA Junior Boer Goat Showmanship Is
Showmanship at the State Fair of West Virginia judges the young exhibitor, not just the goat. It is Division 610 of the fair's goat department, run for members of the Junior American Boer Goat Association (JABGA). The class takes place on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Tractor Supply Small Stock Arena. It sits inside the fair's Boer goat week, which also includes the breeding shows listed below.
Age Classes and Premiums
Exhibitors are placed by age, counted as of August 16, 2026.
| Class | Ages |
|---|---|
| 1 | 15 to 18 years |
| 2 | 10 years to under 15 |
| 3 | 7 years to under 9 |
| 4 | 4 years to under 7 (no premiums paid) |
In the classes that pay, premiums for first through fifth place are $25, $20, $15, $10 and $5.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Exhibitors must follow the JABGA by-laws on age and be active JABGA members. Bring a current JABGA membership card to check-in.
- Showmanship goats must be registered in the exhibitor's name and entered in the JABGA show. A sibling's or stepsibling's goat may be used if a sibling letter is presented.
- A child who is present and able to show must show his or her own animal. When a child has multiple entries, another JABGA member must show the extra animal.
- If a child is physically unable to show or is absent for an approved reason (a death in the family, a family emergency, religious reasons, or an activity approved by the youth coordinator and committee), a JABGA member may show for them. Report this before the goats arrive.
- Members under 12 as of January 1, and members with physical or mental disabilities, may have a heeler, but the member must still help present the animal. The heeler must show a current membership card when entering the ring.
JABGA show rules that apply to the goats
The JABGA show season runs January 1 to December 31, 2026. Goats must be registered in the member's name only, with no ranch or family name in the owner section. Goats that were not bred and owned by the member and are over 90 days old must be in the herd book 30 days before a JABGA-sanctioned show. Sibling registrations are allowed with an ABGA approval letter given to the show secretary. Sanctioned shows include bred-and-owned classes, and points in those classes are doubled. Show results are final, and unsportsmanlike conduct can lead to loss of membership by a majority vote of the JABGA board.
The Rest of Boer Goat Week
| Show | When |
|---|---|
| Open Boer goat percentage does (Division 601) and fullblood does (Division 602) | Friday, August 21, 2026, 1:00 p.m. |
| Open Boer goat fullblood bucks (Division 603) | Following the doe show |
| Junior percentage does (Division 611) | Rolling schedule, Tractor Supply Small Stock Arena |
| Junior fullblood does (Division 612) | Follows percentage does |
| Junior fullblood bucks (Division 613) | Follows fullblood does |
Premiums in the junior breeding classes are paid only in certain classes, at $30, $25, $20, $15 and $10 for first through fifth.
Health Requirements for Goats
- All sheep and goats for exhibition need scrapie tags or tattoos, applied before leaving the farm.
- Out-of-state goats need an official certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) valid for 30 days, stating that the origin flock is free of contagious diseases such as scabies, sore mouth and foot rot. The USDA scrapie ID number must appear on the CVI.
- No TB or brucellosis test is required for goats.
- Goats from states with disease outbreaks may need a special permit from the WV Director of Animal Health Division, Charleston, (304) 558-2214.
- Animals showing signs of infectious or contagious disease are not allowed to take part. Animals must be halter broke, clean and groomed.
Questions
Do I need to belong to JABGA?
Yes. Exhibitors must be active JABGA members and show a current card at check-in.
Can a 5-year-old take part?
Yes. Class 4 covers ages 4 to under 7, though no premiums are paid in that class.
Can my goat be registered under the farm name?
No. Goats must be registered in the member's name only. A sibling's goat is allowed with a sibling letter.
Who do I call?
The State Fair of West Virginia entry department at 304-645-1090.
Official Links
- 2026 Livestock Exhibitors Guide and Premium Book: Division 610 rules, classes and premiums, goat health requirements
West Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
West Virginia county fairs run from June into September, with samples in 2026 from the Mineral County Fair on June 16-20 to the Tyler County Fair July 27 to August 1, per their listings. Dates change yearly.
State Fair
The State Fair of West Virginia ran August 13 to 22, 2026, in Lewisburg. Junior shows ran from market goats on August 13-14 to market hogs and steers on August 16, per the livestock exhibitors guide.
Who can show
State Fair juniors must be enrolled in a West Virginia 4-H club or FFA chapter by March 1 and be at least 9 on the show date. Entries are online only.
Ownership and tags
Market steers and heifers had a March 1 ownership deadline in 2026, and most other market animals June 10. All market animals need an official RFID tag and a visual tag.
Health
Out-of-state animals need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, per the state agriculture department. Sheep and goats need scrapie ID.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor for your fair book, tagging dates and sale rules. Weights and entry rules differ by fair.
Premiums, entry fees and showmanship rules vary, so read the current premium book before you pay.
Read the full guide: West Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Greenbrier Valley GLCI Pasture Management Workshop
Pasture management workshop and field day at Master's Farm in Ronceverte with food and free raffles for attendees. Held each year; the most recent workshop ran June 20, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
635 Horshoe Bend Rd, Ronceverte, WV 24970 | Organizer: Greenbrier Valley GLCI Official event details - State Fair of West Virginia
Held each year at the fairgrounds near Lewisburg; the most recent dates were August 13-22, 2026, for the 101st annual fair. Livestock competitions, 4-H and FFA exhibits and concerts fill the ten days.
- State Fair of West Virginia Junior Market Goat Show
Youth market goat show (Division 575) in the Small Stock Arena; held each year, and the most recent show ran Thursday and Friday, August 13-14, 2026.
- State Fair of West Virginia Open Prospect Steer and Heifer Show
Open class prospect steer and heifer show opening the beef cattle week at the State Fair of West Virginia; most recent show was Sunday, August 16, 2026, in the Large Livestock Arena.
- State Fair of West Virginia Junior Market Steer and Heifer Show
Market steers, market heifers and performance steers (Divisions 560-562) are judged in the Large Stock Arena; most recent show was Sunday, August 16, 2026.
All West Virginia events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.