Here is ADGA's official "Guide To Dairy Goat Shows"

Here is a link to the official ADGA Score Card

Here is ADGA's official "Show Rules"
This includes rules regarding Eligibility, Show Sanctioning and Fee's, Rules for Show Officials and Show Judges, Rules regarding milk out, the 'how to' of Jr Shows, Sr Shows, Bucks Shows, selection of winners, arrangement of awards & classes, details regarding winning an official ADGA leg, plus definitions, ROA information and Code Of Ethics for judges, exhibitors, & show committees.

ADGA Report of Awards Guide

1. Always fill out the Report of Awards in its entirety for each breed at the time of the judging of that breed, even though there may not be ten animals competing. Never write “not enough competing” across that section of the report as it is important that we have all the information required on the report. We must know how many animals of the breed were in the ring (total number judged). Any disqualified animal must not be counted in the total number of the breed.

2. We also must have the number shown in the Junior Division and Senior Division, number of exhibitors, number of classes of milking animals, number of does in milk, and the number of dry milkers. Dry milkers may be shown in the milking classes, but are not to be counted as one of the does in milk. In the case of recorded grades, if the breed types are shown separately, the number of milking classes would be the same as the purebred groups (e.g., three milking classes if they are grouped into three age groups). You would not list fifteen milking classes (three for each of the five breed types), as we consider all recorded grades as one breed in processing show reports.

3. Your Report of Awards is the only record we have of your show. If the information on that report is incorrect or spaces left blank, it may keep an animal from getting credit for a leg toward Permanent Championship. This information must be correct when it is first received by the ADGA office, as the report cannot be added to or changed after the completion of the show, except by proper review and action of the ADGA Show Committee. So that the owner(s) of the animal accepts their share of the responsibility for the accuracy of this report, it is important that they or their agent sign the report certifying the correctness of the information listed for their animal.

4. It is the ADGA Judge’s responsibility to see that the tattoos are correctly recorded on the Report of Awards exactly as they are on the animal, leaving no blank spaces. The tattoo should never be copied from the registration certificate, but should be taken only from the judge as they read it on the animal. If there is a tail tattoo on other than a LaMancha, it should be indicated as RT/LT rather than RE/LE. Vague tattoos will not be credited. If the tattoo is illegible, the judge shall write “ illegible” in the space above it.

5. The total number judged in each breed class should not include the Champion Challenge entries. At the top of the report, the total number judged is requested. This total includes Champion Challenge entries. This total should include all animals judged in each breed PLUS all Champion Challenge entries.

6. The Report of Awards must be given to the judge before they leave the show. The judge shall submit the report to the ADGA office within ten days of the date of judging.

This is the official "Suggested Show Date Information" page from ADGA 

SHOW CHAIRPERSON: Be on the grounds the night before to assist exhibitors. Be in charge all day during the judging. Announce which class is to enter the ring and which class should have their animals at ringside. Announce class wins and assist the Judge in any way possible. See that the Judge has coffee, water, etc. and feels welcome and at ease. It is the Chairperson’s duty to see that the Judge’s travel and hotel arrangements are in order, and that transportation to the show site has been arranged. Keep in mind that the use of a public address system for both the Judge and the Chairperson adds tremendously to the effectiveness of the show. 

RING STEWARD: The Steward should have information on all classes, know how many goats are entered, and who is exhibiting. The Steward’s job is to check the goats at ringside before the class starts, be sure all exhibitors are there, be sure they are in the right class and have the next class ready to walk into the ring as soon as each class is judged. If the exhibitors are not familiar with the proper way to move when the Judge indicates a particular animal be moved to another place in line, a brief demonstration would be helpful (see Unified Scorecard E.3 in ADGA Guidebook). 

BARN COORDINATOR: A committee member whose job is to assign pens and help exhibitors as they arrive. He/she should greet them; make them feel welcome and comfortable. The Barn Coordinator helps exhibitors find their pens, water hookups, restrooms, and food service. 

SHOW SECRETARY: The single most important job. If the show Secretary is not efficient and thorough, the show will not run smoothly. The Secretary’s job is to record placings with the names of animals in each class and also to hand out the ribbons. If it is a large show, the Secretary should have an assistant who can write down the placings and give out ribbons. The Secretary’s most important job is to get all entries in correct classes prior to the judging and make sure the Ring Steward has a listing of each class. 

ENTRY FORM: Enclosed you will find a workable entry form which some clubs have used successfully. When entries are received, the Secretary cuts each entry and pastes it in a notebook by breed and class, with a count of total animals in each class. From this, a listing can be made for the Ring Steward. The exhibitor’s name and address should be placed on file for future mailing lists. It is very important to have a large mailing list to help increase your show attendance each year. 

 IT IS THE SECRETARY’S JOB TO FILL OUT THE SHOW REPORT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE JUDGING OF EACH BREED. 

MAKE SURE THAT ALL PARTIES SIGN THE REPORT OF AWARDS AS EACH BREED IS COMPLETED. 

1. The show secretary and show chairperson must have a copy of all show rules available for review for the duration of the show.

2. The show secretary and show chairperson are responsible for ensuring that ADGA and NWODGA show rules and regulations are carried out.

3. The show secretary or show chairperson must check the official registration certificate of each animal to verify that each animal’s registration number and name match the information listed on the entry form. Before the show, the show secretary or show chairperson should also ensure that each animal is entered in the correct age class and breed division.

4. The show secretary and show chairperson are responsible for filling out all ROA Report of Awards forms and ensuring that the forms are correct, legible, and have all required signatures. All forms are to be mailed to the ADGA mailing address within 10 days of the show.

5. Show officials should ensure that no entries are presented before a judge in which the judge has ownership, partial ownership, financial interest, or which are owned by a member of the judge’s immediate family.

6. The sponsoring organization is responsible for the conduct and actions of the Show Committee.

7. Pre-show milk-outs will be determined by the Show Committee; this information will be posted as part of the show rules.  The Show Committee is responsible for enforcing these guidelines.

8. Complaints concerning show rules, management, and questionable Report of Awards must be made in writing within 7 days of the show. 

Report to your ring at least 30 minutes before show time on show day.

The Ring Secretary will provide the Ring Steward with Class Lists, which are used to check in goats for their class and will be used for recording class placements. Usually the Ring Steward will hand each Class List to the Ring Secretary at the end of each class judged so that the Ring Secretary can record each of the placings. Ring Steward Class Lists need to be returned to the Ring Secretary.

Ring Steward will need to announce the first class of the day and get everyone in that class checked in and ready to enter the ring at show time.

The Ring Steward will check entrants in as they gather ringside to enter the class. Ensure that the correct person is handling the correct animal and that the particular animal is entering the correct ring. Once all the animals are checked in, record on the Class List the total number of animals in each class and tell the judge “Class is Complete” once everyone is fully checked in. This helps the judge know he can begin judging and there are no stragglers still waiting to get checked in. If you have any questions, ask the Ring Secretary for clarification.

The Ring Steward is responsible for assisting the judge with any of their needs during or in between classes, i.e: Answering questions about classes or entrants, announcing a break if the judge needs one, etc. If the judge asks a question, and you don’t know how to answer, consult with your Ring Secretary. Make the judge feel comfortable and welcome.

When the judge has placed the ring and is giving oral reasons, carefully write the placings on your Ring Steward Class List. You are permitted to be in the ring walking behind exhibitors and may unobtrusively ask the exhibitors who have placed: their name and the goat’s name. Verify the information you are given matches the official form, then take the form to the Ring Secretary so they can record the placings.

When the current class is entering the ring, give the next class a heads-up announcement that they will be next and can get lined up and prepared to enter the ring next. Such as “(Class name) exhibitors need to be lined up and ready to show!” If someone is late, call out their name and tell them they need to be ringside. Don’t be afraid to stress urgency! The show MUST keep moving efficiently and quickly and exhibitors need to stay aware of which classes they are signed up for. If an exhibitor still hasn’t checked in when the judge and ring secretary are finished with all the forms, send the next class in without them to keep the class and show flowing smoothly. Do not hold up the class until they arrive.

Some entrants may be in the ring when you call the next class. Their goats should be ringside so they can walk out of one class, switch goats, and walk back in. If the entrant knows he/she will be in another ring during the time of their class, they should arrange for someone else to show their goat.

Time is needed at the end of each class for winners to have their herdbook information checked, goats measured, and forms filled out and signed by Judge, Ring Secretary, and Winner - DO NOT HURRY THIS. Incorrect or incomplete forms can cause the loss of a leg or award for the winning goat.

It is preferred that Ring Stewards not show their own goats in their ring.   

If you have any questions, ask your show chair.  The ROA (Report of Awards) Explanation and Key document can help you as you complete the ROAs.

Ring Secretary or other Show Committee member will check in entrants during the Show Check In Dates and Times.

Report to your ring at least 30 minutes before show time on show day to meet your Judge and Ring Steward, and get your table set up for the first class.

Give your Ring Steward the Ring Steward Class Folder/List for the 1st class, so they can begin getting entrants ringside. Ring Stewards should have access to the Class Folders/Lists for subsequent classes.

Ring Secretary is responsible for completely and accurately filling out the ROA and making sure they’re signed by the Judge, Exhibitor, and Yourself (Secretary). If the forms are completed incorrectly, the goat earning the placement may not receive the leg or award earned. Do NOT Rush. Accuracy is of utmost importance.

While the Judge is judging the class, get the ribbons/prizes ready for the class winners. Give them to the exhibitor AFTER the registry form is completed.  Some shows might have “Ribbon Runners” to help with this.

Assist Judge as needed. Make sure there are snacks and beverages available. If more snacks or drinks are needed, let the Show Chairperson know.

It is preferred that Ring Secretaries not show their own goats in their ring.  Exceptions can be made for very small shows.

Blue Cactus Farm reviewing some of the basic rules of putting on a show.
"Show Officials & Judges - ADGA Rules by Blue Cactus Dairy Goats"

Tips from Section C:

There must be an "Official ADGA SHOW" somewhere prevelant onsite during the show.

The Show Secretary must keep a printed copy of the ADGA rules on hand during the show.

The "Show Secretary" and the "Show Chairperson" cannot be the same person.

If there are two shows running concurrently, each must have it's own Show Secretary.  A show secretary cannot be overseeing two shows at the same time.

The sponsoring show committee is overall responsible for accuracy of the entire show.

The sponsoring show committee can add it's own show rules in addition to the standard ADGA rules, but those must be submitted when show sanction paperwork is submitted.

Any show sanctioned by ADGA, must be judged by an officially licensed ADGA Judge.

No ADGA Judge can judge an animal in which it has any ownership, supervision, or financial relation in.

The ADGA Judge must read the tattoos of the Champion, Reserve Champion, and Champion Challenger BEFORE they leave the ring once the breed show is complete.

ADGA Judges must check the teats & teat offices on does & bucks for teat defects. A judge can milk the goat to ensure teat(s) do not have defects.

The ADGA Judge must provide the measuring device for the show they're judging or it has to be in the contract that the show will provide the measuring device. Measuring must always be done under the judges supervision. Every Nigerian must be measured when entering the ring. Mature doe or buck cannot be under 17". Mature doe cannot be taller than 22.5" and buck 23.5".

When there is a written agreement between judge & show committee AND the show has been sanctioned by ADGA, both parties must adhere to their agreement. If a judge cannot fulfil their agreement, they must reach out to show committee asap.

If goats winning Champion and/or Res. Champion and/or Champion Challenge are other than a LaMancha and have tattoos in their tail, the judge must check for both BOTH ear tattoos and tail tattoos. If ear tattoos are present, then the ROA must state that ear tattoos on noted.

The judge cannot put their hands on mouth of animals. Exhibitor must do so.

ADGA  Licensed Judge must sign ADGA show reports, in addition to the Show Chairpperson and the Show Secretary.

Link to a YouTube video with basics of an ADGA Show

Twin Pear Tutorials "How ADGA Shows Work"

Link to a YouTube video about "Preparing for your First ADGA Show!"