Click here for "Virtual Judging" classes which you can use to practice for judges training! (Classes courtesy of Keith Harrell)

There will be a training event offered in conjunction with the 2007 AGS National Show in Harrisonburg. The Judges Training Seminar (JTS), will be offered on June 20th and 21st, 2007, which is Wednesday and Thursday, prior to the National Show.

In order to participate as a full candidate in the Judges Training, you MUST be at least 18 years old, possess an individual membership in the American Goat Society, and be a member in good standing. Auditors do not have to meet these requirements.

Training fees are: Candidates: $100, Auditors: $50, Classroom only audits $35.

To qualify for these rates, your registration must be postmarked on or before May 15th, 2007. Late registrations will be accepted, but will require an additional charge.
Registrations postmarked after May 15th but before June 3rd, will require a $10 late fee. Registrations occurring on or after June 3rd will require a $20 late fee.
Registration fees must accompany your registration application.
All registration fees are non-refundable.

Classroom auditors will participate in the classroom and practice portions of day one, and may take the written exam on day two, but will not participate in the placement classes.
Auditors participate in all parts on the training conference, but are not eligible for a license.

Please note: Auditors may "upgrade" their participation level prior to, and during day one, however, once the written exam begins on day two, no more upgrades will be allowed. If you choose to audit, you will not be eligible for a license even if you pass the written exam.

The two day training seminar will encompass:

A. Classroom instruction:

  1. show rules
  2. major faults and disqualifications
  3. AGS breed standards
  4. AGS Unified Score Card
  5. ethical behavior of judges
  6. dairy goat anatomy
  7. comparative terms for reasons
  8. importance of accurate reasons
  9. giving accurate reasons
10. dairy goat structure and conformation
11. the Report of Award
12. practice placing and reasons classes ("hands on" work with goats in the barn)

B.  Written examination (requires a passing grade of at least 75% on each of five sections):

      1. labeling a dairy goat picture with names of body parts
      2. identifying the seriousness of faults
      3. true/false and fill in the blank questions (conformation of animals according to the AGS
          breed standards, reasons, rules, etiquette, ethics, show rules, and special aspects of judging)
      4. breed standards & score card
      5. the Report of Award

C. Oral Examination (requires a passing grade of at least 75% on each of two sections):

       1. placing at least eight classes, preferably representing all breeds, at least four of which
           will be in milk, with at least 75% accuracy . (A minimum of 4 breeds is required. If breed
           availability is limited, classes of 3 individual breeds and an AOP class containing another
           breed will suffice. Classes are made up of 4 animals each. 4 must be milking classes and
           the other 4 may be represented by junior does and/or bucks if needed)
       2. giving accurate, appropriate reasons, and presentation on at least two of the classes, with
           scores of at least 75% on accuracy and presentation