MOUNT VERNON — Goats of all shapes and sizes put their show faces on and did their best to outshine one another at the Knox County Dairy Goat Show on Tuesday morning. Little Pygmy goats, large and sleek Nubian goats, and several other varieties, both common and more exotic, impressed show judge David Carter.

Ten-year-old Alynnza Brady of Walhonding said she and her goat Surprise are “best friends,” who do everything together. Their close relationship served the pair well during the competition, as Surprise, a black Pygmy goat, stuck to Brady’s side as she changed directions and walked where the judge instructed.

When asked about her goat’s name, Brady explained the origin. “Because when she was born, she was a surprise,” she said. “All of our goats were getting fat,” Brady said to explain how Surprise’s mother's pregnancy weight gain went unnoticed. “We came home from one of my brother’s baseball games, and I heard her. She’s been my best friend ever since.”

During the Pack Goat and Harness Goat competitions, youngsters led their goats through a complicated obstacle course, including several jumps. Although some of the goats balked at the difficult maneuvers, especially the hurdles, all the goats completed the course confidently by following their handler’s verbal commands and physical cues.

melissa.raines@mountvernonnews.com