Tiffany Peridore feeds one of the goats on campus as part of her duties in agri.

BIANCA GARCIA – Hoof Prints Staff

Just as the sun rises, Tiffany Peridore is up to begin her day. Her early start isn’t to primp to get ready for school, but to prepare for competitions.

It’s a daily routine for Tiffany. She wakes up at five. She goes outside rain or shine to catch her steer so she can tie him up and feed him. She also takes her time to feed her goats. Finally after doing her chores that help her prepare for competitions, she goes inside to take a shower and gets ready for school. After school, she goes back outside to care for her animals, usually until 8:30 p.m. From there she showers and eats and does her homework. Her day finally ends at 11 p.m. Only six hours until the alarm rings again.

Tiffany has been showing animals for nine years. “I love working with animals. Just that connection you get when you are with them. It’s a big responsibility that can help you later on in life. It makes you have self discipline,” Tiffany said.

This year she has one goat that she will show, and one steer. Her steer in particular weighs 650 pounds. “When you first put them around humans, they kick you and head butt you and they charge. I have been kicked and head butted in the side,” Tiffany said.

Tiffany has shown her goat in many competitions this year and had done well. Recently, she competed at the district fair in Jonesboro. Tiffany was very uncertain on how she would do this year because her goat is in a growth stunt, and she was worried that the goat’s condition would affect the place she got. During the competition judges evaluate showmanship, which is how well your goat will lead, how you set him up and how you show him and present yourself.

“You have to be confident and work with your animal,” Tiffany said.

Also during the regular show, all one does is pass around and set up the goats. She competes in the meat market competition.

“They judge the meat quality, muscle and fat and the length on the goat,” Tiffany said. “They usually pick wether goats because the muscle builds faster.”

At district, Tiffany’s goat acted properly and they both received fourth place.

Showing goats is definitely not cheap. This year Tiffany spent $200 apiece on goats and around $800 on their feed. She also paid $550 for her steer and about $900 on its feed. “It all adds up,” Tiffany said.

Tiffany sees working with animals in her future. “I want to be a vet,” Tiffany said. “I really hope that will work out for me.”