Hi I’m Kensey! I’m from a small town in South Carolina, right above Clemson University. My family and I started in goats in 2013, and moved our focus to ABGA registered stock in 2016. You can catch me at a show or sale on the weekends, or at home doing chores around the farm! I’m looking for to seeing and meeting everyone!

“Judging the National Open Show is a bucket list moment,” said ABGA member Jesse Kimmel. Not only is this a tremendous honor for Jesse, he also feels fortunate to be voted in as a judge. Jesse said he’s excited to judge and share his opinion on the best goats in the country. “I will be looking for a goat that checks all the boxes,” Jesse explained. “They must be sound, stout, have muscle, have a great look, and meet breed standards.” Jesse brings years of experience to his role of National Open Show Judge. In addition to judging goats, hogs, cattle, and sheep all across the United States, he judged the 2017 JABGA National Show and was a National Show Superintendent from 2018 to 2021. A graduate of Wilmington College, Jesse is an Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor at East Noble High School in Kendallville, Ind. and an Adjunct Professor at Huntington University. In addition to raising fullblood and wether Boer goats, he owns Kimmel Showpigs, which raises multiple breeds of showpigs that compete from coast to coast. Jesse said he’s raised multiple National Swine Registry and Certified Pedigreed Swine National Sires of the Year as well as the only National Swine Registry 2-time National Champion Duroc Gilt. Jesse’s other bucket list items include judging in all 50 states as well as judging abroad. We’re glad he’ll get to check Nebraska off the list at our 2022 National Show!

My name is Elizabeth Westfall, and I reside in Vincennes, IN, with my husband, Zach, and son, Colton. I have worked in public safety and government for the last 20 years. I currently work for the Indiana State Department of Health as a financial analyst, Good Samaritan Hospital as a grant coordinator, and Vincennes University as a professor of Homeland Security. As you can tell from that last statement, I enjoy staying busy and am dedicated to helping others. Our farm has been raising Boer goats for the last five years, and we have grown from a 4-H project of 2 goats to over 35 goats. One of my passions is helping youth and providing education. This year, I was fortunate enough to assist with the inaugural Goat Con event in Indiana, which provided education and training to over 200 participants through the Indiana Boer Goat Association. I am currently volunteering as a co-youth coordinator for the organization. In 2023, I assisted with the ABGA/JABGA National Show, where I contributed to organizing vendors, the invitational sale, and working with facility management. This year, I will be enhancing my contribution to the event as the Barn Superintendent, a role I am honored to serve in for 2024. I'm excited about the upcoming ABGA/JABGA National Show in Louisville, KY. I want to make this an excellent experience for all exhibitors and their families. Nationals is a great time for all of us to come together as an industry and celebrate our accomplishments. I encourage everyone to reflect on what it took to get here and make it an excellent event for everyone involved.

Jesse Kimmel has been selected as one of three 2024 ABGA and JABGA National Show Superintendents. With extensive experience judging goats, hogs, cattle, and sheep, Jesse is no stranger to the show world, or the ABGA and JABGA National Show. As an agricultural teacher and FFA advisor at East Noble High School (Kendallville, Ind.), as well as an adjunct professor of agriculture at Huntington University (Huntington, Ind.), Jesse has a wealth of knowledge to draw upon. Jesse's personal experience at ABGA and JABGA National Shows is impressive, having judged the 2017 JABGA National Open Show in Grand Island, Neb., and then judged the ABGA National Open Show there again in 2022. According to Jesse, it was "a bucket list moment" to share his opinion and judge the best Boer goats in the country. Jesse was also a National Show Superintendent in Grand Island from 2018 to 2021. Jesse's expertise extends beyond judging. He raises Fullblood Boer goats and market wethers, and also owns Kimmel Show Pigs. He has raised multiple National Swine Registry National Sires of the Year and Certified Pedigreed Swine National Sires of the Year – and the only National Swine Registry Two-Time National Champion Duroc Gilt in history. Despite his diverse experience with various species, Boer goats and ABGA still hold a special place in Jesse’s heart.

Ryan Rash is from Crockett, Texas and grew up showing every species of livestock. During his junior show career he exhibited 13 Grand or Reserve Grand Champion Steers at major livestock shows all over the United States. Rash graduated from Texas A&M University and was a member of the National Champion Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Team. During his collegiate judging careers he was in the top 10 individuals and in the top 10 of Oral reasons at every contest he entered and was the high point individual at 5 contests. He is a co star of the Beyond The Ring Podcast, the Executive Director of the Beyond The Ring Junior Livestock Association and he owns and operates SBCC, a cattle company and consulting firm. He and his family have a club calf operation as well as a purebred Charolais and Hereford operation. He has judged every species of livestock at shows from the local to major show level throughout the US in 47 states, Canada and Mexico.

Nick Hammett, along with his wife Rebekah, son Cole, and daughter Lauren, make their home in Ashland, Missouri. Seeking a family activity in the livestock industry, they started as COLA Show Goats in 2013 raising and showing ABGA registered goats around the country. In 2020 they re-branded themselves as Hammett Showstock, focusing on raising wethers and commercial show doe prospects. After obtaining degrees from the University of Missouri and Colorado State University, Nick has spent his career in the beef industry. Nick currently works for Neogen, marketing beef cattle genomic testing. He particularly enjoys assisting producers in turning data into sustainable and profitable management decisions and hopes to assist the goat industry in developing those same opportunities. Nick Judged the ABGA National Open show in 2018, the National Market and Commercial Doe show in 2021 and the first two ABGA National Carcass contests in 2022 and 2023.

Tom and Jackie Redden own Redden Brothers Livestock in Norman, Indiana. Redden Brothers Livestock is a 60 plus year registered Hereford operation. They added Boer goats approximately 17 years ago. Tom and Jackie run approximately 200 head, placing goats from coast to coast. One of the many blessings for them is to see their customers succeed in the show ring, as well as production with RBMG goats. Tom and Jackie are very proud of their three son's, as well as their three daughters in law, all of which are still very involved in the cattle and Boer goat business. They have 8 grandchild that complete The Redden Clan. Their favorite pastime is watching the next generation of Reddens at sporting events and livestock shows.

Terry Burks is a retired Professor of English Studies from Chifeng University in The People’s Republic of China. Prior to that, he was employed by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture in the Division of Show and Fair Promotion where he served as the educational coordinator and worked as a federal livestockgrader. Terry taught adult agriculture for 8 years in the Kentucky Community College system and was also the owner of Dynasty Club Lambs & Meat Goats. Terry received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in the area of Animal Science from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Terry has judged over 1200 Junior and open livestock shows in 43 states.  Some of his shows include Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Dallas, San Angelo, Austin, The North American International, The American Royal, The National Western, The Great Western, The Cow Palace, The Dixie National, Aksarben, Tulsa, the Oklahoma Youth Expo, The Arizona National, The Pennsylvania Farm Show, The Keystone International, The Atlantic National, The Western Bonanza, The Grand Stand, The Fall Classic and the Belt Buckle Bonanza.  He has judged State Fairs in 28 different states and has also judged numerous County, Regional and Jackpot shows nationwide. Terry has served on numerous judging committees across the US including the National 4-H, Jr. College and Sr. College Contests at the NAILE, as well as serving as the sheep/goat chairman for the National FFA Livestock Judging CDE. Terry and his wife Alice live in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Sammy Lerena and his wife, Taylor, reside in Lipan, Texas. They are the proud owners of Red Oak Ranch, and currently manage a herd of about 150 head. Sammy has been a member of ABGA since 2006 and achieved Certified Judge status in the spring of 2014. As a judge, he has officiated competitions in more than 24 states, including prestigious events like the ABGA National Show, Yellow Rose Classic at Ft Worth Stockshow, North American in Louisville, and the Houston Livestock Show. Apart from breeding competitive show goats, Sammy also runs a business focused on small ruminant reproduction.

Hello, my name is MaKayla Burns. I am 28 years old and I have been a part of the Boer Goat Industry since I could remember, stepping into a show ring when I was just 3 years old, showing dairy goats. I am now married to my husband, Dustin Burns, and we have 3 kids, Jase, Evelynand Lainey, and we are now building our own herd as a family, known as Burns Premier Show Stock. I am formerly a “Richardson”, of Richardsons Boer Goats. My parents, Chris & Joyce Richardson raised my sister and I with goats starting with dairy goats, which they purchased to raise my baby sister with, who was allergic to cows milk. In the 90s, formula options were difficult, and our pediatrician actually recommended my mom to buy some goats and milk them. We then started showing dairy goats, but not long into that adventure, we were introduced to the meat goats, the Boer breed specifically and we switched directions, when my sister was old enough to no longer need the milk. She did eventually grow out of the allergy. Starting in Boer goats in 1999, I strongly remember making the long trip to Texas several times, where my parents befriended many of the founding members and breeders of the ABGA and started heavy into building our own herd, pulling genetics from all over the USA and learning a ton about the breed. I have fond memories of meeting several people, including but definitely not limited to, The Downen family (Downen Livestock), Jim & Lynn Farmer (Farmers Stock Exchange), Kallie Kohls (N&K Ranches), The Whitehead family of T4 Ranch, and The Ryals family (Rocking R Boer Goats), as well as seeing some of the most iconic and legendary bucks and does that have been a foundation in building the livestock out there today. My mother started becoming heavily involved with bringing the Boer breed to light in our state of Kentucky. Introducing it to our state fair board for the Kentucky State Fair, eventually allowing us to hold sanctioned shows at our state fair, hosting a South African Judges Training at our home with Lukas Burger & Louis Van Rensburg, working closely with them, learning how to evaluate the goats and hosting shows in our state at our local fairgrounds, bringing in breeders from all over the USA, including Texas, Missouri, Tennessee and more to help support the growth of the breed in our area. We continued traveling for years showing, attending sales, and meeting new people, all of which I hold as very fond memories growing up in this world of the Boer goat. I have since become heavily involved and passionate with the industry, and it’s become a part of my everyday life. I decided to become an ABGA judge, to further my endeavor with educating and evaluating the Boer goat. Passionate about education, and supporting our youth, I felt that was a way for me to give back from all my experiences and knowledge I have learned throughout the years and along the way, and be able to share with others who find the show ring home. I have learned a lot as a kid, being able to listen, observe, and soak in everything I could from some of the ABGA’s firsts, as well as view points from the South African Judges my mom brought to our home, which I owe a lot of my foundation thinking to them for their shared education with us. I have literally grown up within the industry and have been able to witness the evolvement of the breed as well as the enormous growth of breeders involvement in the ABGA. I hope to continue on with helping that growth, and when it comes to judging and evaluating these beautiful animals, I have set a goal with each show I set to judge, and that is to teach something new, to at least one person before I leave that show. It has been an incredible journey in life with being a part of the American Boer Goat Association, and it is something I am excited about bringing my growing family into as well, allowing our children to be involved with the JABGA and all the opportunities that come with it.

PRESALE ENDS MAY 20, 2024 at 11:59 PM CDT Excitement is building for the upcoming national show, and now is your chance to wear your enthusiasm with pride! We're thrilled to announce that the official National Show t-shirts are now available for preorder. This is your opportunity to guarantee that you get your hands on this exclusive merchandise. These t-shirts are the perfect way to show your support and spirit. Presale ends on Monday, May 20, 2024 at 11:59 PM CDT, so don't let time slip away! By preordering, you ensure that your size is reserved for you, avoiding any day-of disappointment if stocks run out. These shirts are not only a fantastic keepsake but also a great way to commemorate your experience at the National Show. For your convenience, t-shirts are available for pickup directly at the National Show office. If you're unable to attend or simply prefer the convenience of having your shirt waiting for you at home, we've got you covered! Delivery is available for an additional fee, ensuring that your national show t-shirt reaches you before the show. Don't miss out on this opportunity to preorder your piece of the National Show today. Let's make this event unforgettable, one t-shirt at a time! To preorder your shirt click the button above or visit: https://gogandy.com/abga-natls24 Once this sale has closed, we will not be able to modify your order, place additional orders nor offer any exchanges. Please double check your items for correct style, color, personalization (if applicable), and size.

We are no longer taking nominations for this year’s Ambassador of The Breed. Thank you for your nominations. The American Boer Goat Association honors and appreciates individuals who contribute to promoting the American Boer Goat Breed. Every year, our members nominate candidates for the ABGA's Ambassador of the Breed, who are then recognized at the ABGA & JABGA National Show.