By Brent Deitrich

At one time or another, most of us have probably exhibited at a specialty show. Afterward, we came away with an impression of that show – the way it was run, the awards that were given, the level of competition. The way your host club presents a specialty show directly affects the impression your exhibitors leave with, and also the rest of the country when they view the results of the show. Since NSBA awards one specialty show for each of the eight districts, the quality of your show could be representative of a geographical area covering as many as 12 surrounding states, so you want to make it the best it can be. I've personally been involved with running several specialties for various breeds each year with our local club and would like to share a few ideas I've picked up along the way to help make your specialty show a strong showing of the quality of the breed, a successful and hopefully profitable return for your club, and an enjoyable and competitive time for all exhibitors. 

The first thing to do is evaluate what type of breed specialty would be good for your area. If you live in an area where you can barely make Toggenburgs official, it's probably not a good idea to have a specialty show for that breed at your club's show. Yes, the potential exists that by having a specialty you will draw more of that breed into your show, and in some cases that does occur. Most of the time you will find that a specialty will increase your entries for that breed a little, but not a drastic amount. So it's important to start out with a breed that you know will be a success for your area. Another thing to look at is how many exhibitors from out-of-state regularly come to your show and exhibit the breed you are planning to have a specialty for. If you already have a large showing of Saanen breeders who haul into your show from surrounding states, then a specialty would show off a large representation of the genetics and competition in your district. 

After you've decided what breed to host, then start thinking about how to promote it to draw in the most exhibitors. Uniqueness draws a crowd. You might want to look at getting sponsorships from businesses and breeders in your area to offer cash premiums. In my experience at the specialties I've worked on, more breeders sponsored classes than businesses. Offer incentives to sponsor an award, like an advertisement in your show flyer, or lay some business cards or flyers out from them on your raffle table. Be sure and thank the sponsors publicly over the PA system, while mentioning that they sponsored an award. Our local club offered cash premiums one year and it turned out very well, and exhibitors went away from the show happy at having won some extra cash to take with home. Another idea is to have awards that reflect interests from the area you are holding the show in. At the Hershey All Saanen Spectacular in Hershey, PA, we had Hershey Chocolate prizes. Although this didn't draw in a whole lot of out of state exhibitors, everyone thought it added a nice touch. 

Finally, show day has arrived. Make every effort to make all your exhibitors feel welcome. Have drinks and refreshments at ringside. Decorate with some colors that reflect the breed you are having a specialty for. If you're at a fair, or someplace where the general public is coming through, set up a display table with information on the breed and sale brochures from that breed's exhibitors who are there that day. Read the breed standard or a description of the breed over the PA system and explain what the animals are being judged on. 

One of the best ways you can promote your show is to take excellent pictures of the show. Have a backdrop made up to take photos against at ringside. Don't put a whole lot of items into the backdrop that can distract, like excess flowers. Going simpler is usually better, and shows up the animal more than if a lot of other items are distracting in the background. If you're showcasing Saanens, you obviously don’t want to use a white background. Instead, use another color like light blue. For most other breeds, a white background works well. You might want to have the name of your show printed in a place on the backdrop that won't get in the way of the goats body so everyone recognizes your show when they see the picture. Be sure and take the pictures in a place where the lighting is appropriate. Finally, don't forget to take some candid pictures of the exhibitors, class lineups, and other show scenes. It always adds a little human interest to your show results if you have a few extra pictures other than the required ones. 

The last job to make sure you complete correctly is returning your show report to the Specialty Show chairman along with the pictures of your class winners. Turning this in on time will leave a lasting impression of your show and its efficiency on the breed club you are hosting through. Show your appreciation at being chosen to host a breed specialty. Make sure your report is legible, either typed or clearly handwritten, and your pictures are numbered and correspond with the report or have the animal's name written on the back of them. In NSBA, your pictures will become part of a scrapbook that travels to the National Convention each year on display. They will also be used in the club's newsletter and website, and submitted to various national newspapers for publication. The presentation your show gives through its pictures and report will also be what those exhibitors who showed at your show have to look back on when they remember their win or the fun time they had at your show. Do the best you can so when those exhibitors remember your show, they will have been proud to have shown there and want to come again. 

All these things will contribute towards making your specialty show "special"! 

Brent Deitrich