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Triple Crown Winners By Sandy Grambort, Features Editor
The award was initiated by the ABGA after Mr. Bird’s death in 1999. Extremely active in the organization, he spent countless hours helping other people, easily making friends with every handshake. He was a true “people person,” always encouraging others to do their best. To qualify for this prestigious award, the total number of points accumulated by exhibited animals owned or bred by the breeder is tallied at the end of each ABGA National Show. The recipient is the breeder who has accumulated the most points from winning animals at the Nationals. The award is designed to recognize the strength and depth of a breeder’s program. As Claire Powell points out, “It’s not a popularity contest. What it boils down to is quality combined with quantity.” With each show, both Sharon and Claire strive to present their very best animals to the public. As Sharon says, “We go to the shows with goats we’re proud of. The people are our best judges. We consider all those folks, from the small rancher to the big producer, to be our peers and our most qualified judges. When we go to the shows, we exhibit to them. Without them and their faith in our stock, we wouldn’t be where we are today.” Claire continues, adding, “With a driveway nearly three miles long, it’s not every day we get people stopping in. We’re not exactly ‘on the way to’ anywhere! The shows are important to us; not only for the exposure, but also for the feedback we get from the people there. The value of our goats is defined by the true and honest opinion of the consumer.” By offering their top stock for sale, breeders like Claire Powell and Sharon Holman encourage others to pursue perfection. As in any business, the two ranchers can’t afford to waste time by offering a product no one wants to buy. They fill their pastures each kidding season with the very best in bloodlines and balance, making their animals some of the most sought after for their production capabilities, as well as sure bets in the show arena. Lukas Burger put it succinctly when he said to the two women in June 2003, “Congratulations. If you two ladies can remember, I told you about two years ago that you both have the numbers and the quality. I am honored to be a small part in your success. I am proud to tell people that your goats have some of my goats’ genetics.” Both women agree that the true measure of their achievements come from the interest and approval of their customers and fellow breeders. “While it’s wonderful to have the judge place your animal ‘champion,’ we always listen to the people. If we know what they like and we have what they like, then we know we’re on the right track,” says Sharon. “That’s why this award means so much to us,” adds Claire. “We’re really proud of the people who have bought our goats and are now being successful. This award is as much for them as it is for us.”
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