Show Ring Scoring
Scoring of individual goats is based on fleece characteristics and body conformation. The fleece makes up 50% of the total score. Body contributes the remaining 50% of the score.
Fleece
Each fleece is judged on fiber diameter, total down, fiber length, fleece density, body coverage and the style and character if the down.
Recommended Scoring for Fleece and Fiber Characteristics
Fiber diameter (Max 14 points)
Under 16.5 microns: 8 - 14 pts
Over 16.5 microns and less than 19 microns: 1 - 7 points
Exceeding 19 microns or having third fiber types: 0 points
Total Down (Max 21 points)
............................. Excellent ...Average ...Poor
length ..........................7 .............5 .............3
density ........................7 .............5 .............3
coverage .....................7 .............5 .............3
Style and Character (Max 15 pts)
Excellent 11-15 pts
Good 6-10 pts
Average 1-5 pts
The above table should be used as a guideline. Final point awards for each category are given at the judges discretion
BODY
The body is a high priority for cashmere goats. Body weight and shape dictate the quantity of down production for future generations and provides the basis for a solid income generating aspect of cashmere production - the meat market. Body is divided into 4 categories; size/age, conformation, structural correctness and soundness.
Size/age. Maximum 20 points.
A goats' size should be commensurate with its age and gender. It is very important to group goats as to age and gender to allow the judge to make valid comparisons. Year of birth is a better way to age goats as tooth evolution is variable. Breeders that choose to kid later in the season will experience some discrimination as to body size, but that is a choice they must make. The following is a rule of thumb for the judge:
.......................Bucks .............Does ..................Min points
Milk tooth ......30-50# ...........25-50# ..............4 -16 pts
2 year old .......60 -75 # .........50 -70# .............4 - 16 pts
3 year old .......75-100# .........65 -100# ...........4 - 16 pts
Adult ............110 - 200 # ......90 - 125# ..........4 - 16 pts
Conformation: 15 points maximum
Conformation encompasses teeth, head, horns, neck, chest, back, genitals, legs and feet. Deductions of up to 5 points per incident should be made for flaws in any of the above characteristics. For example, teeth that do not meet squarely resulting in under or overshot jaws should be maximally penalized. Goats with narrow chests, short backs or crooked legs should also suffer deductions. Goats with thin and weak horns should also be penalized. Polled or dehorned does will be assessed at the judge's discretion. Bucks should not be polled or dehorned. Bucks with small testes and does with pendulous udders or multiple functional teats should be maximally penalized. Deductions are made at the judge's discretion.
Structural correctness: 10 points maximum
Structural correctness refers to the body as a package, how well it fits together, what the overall impression is. Does should appear feminine and bucks should appear, and act, masculine. Deductions are made at the judge's discretion.
Soundness: 5 points maximum
Soundness is not only the correct structure of the feet and legs, it is also a measure of freedom of movement. Well trained goats will exhibit their freedom of movement so it can be assessed. Goats that refuse to move freely should be penalized. Goats should move forward in a straight line, legs should swing independently without impacting each other or udders and testicles. Feet should be well trimmed. Untrimmed goats should suffer the maximum penalty as should goats with cow hocks or fallen pasterns. Deductions are made at the judge's discretion.