Youth Goat Skill-A-Thon at Goat Expo
Where Future Goat Industry Leaders Are Built
The Goat Expo Youth Skill-A-Thon is an educational competition designed to test youth knowledge of goat care, anatomy, management, and industry fundamentals. This event encourages learning, preparation, and confidence while reinforcing real-world livestock skills.
The Skill-A-Thon is open to all youth, whether or not they are enrolled in a Youth Goat Camp. Youth who are not participating in camp may enter the Skill-A-Thon for an additional entry fee. click here
Participants rotate through stations that evaluate understanding of goat health, nutrition, handling, anatomy, and general husbandry practices. The Skill-A-Thon complements the showmanship experience by emphasizing knowledge behind proper livestock care.
Awards are presented based on performance, recognizing youth for their dedication to learning and excellence in the goat industry.
Each age group will be represented in Senior, Intermediate, and Junior, in Market, Dairy, and Fiber.
This event teaches youth how to WIN in life — not just in the show ring
OFFICIAL CONTEST AREAS
INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
- Written Test
- Showmanship
- Judging Contest
- Obstacle Course
- Fitting Contest
- Sales Talk
TEAM EVENT
- Quiz Bowl
OFFICIAL DIVISIONS
| Division | Ages |
|---|---|
| Pee-Wee | 4–7 |
| Junior | 8–11 |
| Intermediate | 12–15 |
| Senior | 16–21 |
OFFICIAL POINT SYSTEM
Points tabulated:
- are subjective
- are knowledge-based
- are team-oriented
MASTER POINT STRUCTURE
| Contest | Max Points |
|---|---|
| Written Test | 100 |
| Judging Contest | 100 |
| Showmanship | 75 |
| Obstacle Course | 25 |
| Fitting Contest | 50 |
| Sales Talk | 100 |
| Quiz Bowl (team) | 75 |
| Sportsmanship Bonus | 10 |
| Mentor/Herdsmanship Bonus | 10 |
TOTAL POSSIBLE:
- Individual = 525 (Bonus) +20
- Team = separate standings
Scoring Notes
- Contestants earn points within their age division.
- Scores from all events will accumulate throughout the week.
- Quiz Bowl points may be awarded individually based on team placement and participation.
- Ties in overall standings will be broken in the following order:
- Highest Written Exam Score
- Highest Judging Contest Score
- Highest Sales Talk Score
- Event officials reserve the right to adjust scoring procedures if necessary to maintain fairness and educational integrity.
Championship Awards
Overall point standings will determine:
- Overall Skill-A-Thon Champion
- Reserve Overall Champion
- Division High Point Awards
- Individual Event Awards
- Team Awards
PLACING POINTS (INDIVIDUAL EVENT AWARDS)
These determine:
- class/event placings
- ribbons
- buckle/title winners
| Placing | Points |
|---|---|
| 1st | 10 |
| 2nd | 9 |
| 3rd | 8 |
| 4th | 7 |
| 5th | 6 |
| 6th | 5 |
| Participation Finish | 3 |
OVERALL HIGH POINT SYSTEM
This structure rewards:
- knowledge
- animal handling
- communication
- leadership
- professionalism
OVERALL HIGH POINT SYSTEM
Use RAW SCORES instead of placement points.
Example:
- Written Test = actual score out of 100
- Judging = actual score out of 100
This prevents:
- ties
- manipulation
- unfair weighting
SALES TALK DIVISIONS
PEE-WEE ONLY
Beginner 2-Minute Talk
Topic examples:
- “Why I love goats”
- “My goat project”
- “Why youth livestock matters”
OLDER DIVISIONS OPTIONS
Junior, Intermediate, and Senior
Contestants choose category:
- Breeder Marketing Pitch
- Feed/Supplement Sponsor Pitch
- Goat Salesmanship Simulation
Schedule (times to be determined)
Wednesday 5/27/26 –
Costume Contest only for campers
- Quiz Bowl
- Skill-A-thon (written Exam)
Thursday 5/28/26
- Judging
- Sales talk (Meat Goats)
Friday 5/29/26
- Fitting
- Showmanship
Saturday 5/30/26
- Obstacle course
Awards:
- Division Winners
- Overall Supreme Winner One for Dairy / One for Meat / One for Fiber
TIEBREAKER SYSTEM
OVERALL INDIVIDUAL TIEBREAKERS
- Highest Written Test
- Highest Judging Contest
- Highest Showmanship
- Highest Sales Talk
- Judge panel decision
QUIZ BOWL STRUCTURE
TEAM SIZE
- 6 youth per team
- mixed ages allowed
QUIZ BOWL BRACKET SYSTEM
With ~50 contestants:
- approximately 8 teams
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Pool Play
Divide into:
- 3 pools of 4 teams
Each team competes against every team in its pool.
Scoring:
- Win = 2 points
- Loss = 0
- Tie = 1
Top 2 teams from each pool advance.
Plus:
- top 2 wildcard teams by total points scored
Total advancing:
- 8 teams
ELIMINATION ROUND
Quarterfinals
8 teams
Semifinals
4 teams
Finals
2 teams
Consolation Final
For 3rd overall
SALES TALK RUBRICS
1. NATIONAL FFA STYLE
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Knowledge | 25 |
| Organization | 20 |
| Delivery | 20 |
| Confidence | 15 |
| Professionalism | 10 |
| Audience Engagement | 10 |
TOTAL = 100
2. BREEDER MARKETING PITCH
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Breed Knowledge | 25 |
| Marketing Ability | 20 |
| Persuasiveness | 20 |
| Presentation | 15 |
| Industry Professionalism | 10 |
| Creativity | 10 |
3. FEED/SPONSOR PITCH
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Product Understanding | 25 |
| Sales Ability | 25 |
| Confidence | 15 |
| Communication | 15 |
| Brand Representation | 10 |
| Audience Engagement | 10 |
4. GOAT SALESMANSHIP SIMULATION
Contestant:
- evaluates goat
- speaks to “buyer”
- answers objections
- closes sale
| Category | Points |
|---|---|
| Animal Evaluation | 25 |
| Buyer Communication | 25 |
| Problem Solving | 15 |
| Confidence | 15 |
| Closing Ability | 10 |
| Professionalism | 10 |
AWARDS STRUCTURE
One contestant will win the Decision Maker Award
The 2026 Judging Pro Decision Maker Award went to Emily Smith! Congratulation!
INDIVIDUAL
Per age division:
- High Point Champion
- Reserve High Point
- Event Champions
OVERALL AWARDS
Goatman / Goatwoman Award
Best all-around livestock leadership competitor.
This is a PRESTIGE title.
TEAM AWARDS
- Quiz Bowl Champion
- Reserve Champion
- Sportsmanship Team
SPECIAL AWARDS
Sportsmanship Award
Voted by:
- judges
- interns
- event staff
Herdsmanship/Mentor Award
Given to:
- youth helping others
- leadership behavior
- kindness
- responsibility
PROTEST SYSTEM
Official Rule
- Protest must be submitted within 15 minutes
- Written only
- Parent cannot enter ring
- Head superintendent decision is final
These links may be used to get an idea of what the Skill_A-Thon test may be. We will use something similar and this gives students an opportunity to be prepared.
Skill-A-Thon Study Guide from Ohio State. Click here for PDF
Skill-A-Thon Study Guide from Texas Sheep & Goats. Click here for the PDF
Skill-A-Thon Study Guide from University of Florida. Click here for the PDF
Skill-A-Thon entry fee: $35.
If exhibitor is entered in one of the Youth Goat Camps, there is no additional fee for the Skill-A-Thon. All particpants must enter the Skill-A-Thon by May 24th and declare which one they are entered in: Dairy Market, or Fiber.
- Anyone that is between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, may enter the Skill-A-Thon.
- Participants DO NOT have to be entered in the youth goat camps.
- This contest is open to any youth, anywhere in the USA.
- Questions: info@goatexpo.com
All Rights Reserved, 2026 Goat Expo