Caught in the pen with the champion goat

With no background knowledge and neighbors who wanted to get rid of their goats, Callie Arndt took a liking to them and began competing in 4-H. That trek has now led her to showing the champion dairy goat at the Minnesota State Fair.

Arndt, 13, competed at state with a Nigerian Dwarf goat, one of two she purchased from the Resler family. She said the Nigerians are a common breed, but not many of them are shown at the State Fair.

“It was really exciting and shocking to be best of the best,” said Arndt, who is a member of Steele County’s Pratt Commandoes. “I was surprised, happy and excited.”

Arndt’s love and affection for goats became evident during her recent trip to the State Fair. She was found in sitting down in a pen with her champion goat, Piper, and a friend, Emie Resler. They took turns petting Piper and showing her off as people walked by.

During the fair, Arndt checks on Piper at least three or four times throughout the day. “Sometimes we just chill out with her and be with her in the pen,” she said.

“They are very playful and friendly,” Arndt said as Piper nibbled on her hand. “I think goats are really cute and they can be funny,” she added.

But there is much more involved with showing animals than just playing with them. Arndt explained how she had to trim and clip the goat’s hair, wash and trim the hooves and give it a bath. She also has to provide feed and water.

Prior to the fairs, Arndt also spends time each day walking the goats around the yard to prepare for show. “We do that so they are used to walking and not scared,” she said, adding she practices touching their legs and positioning them so they do well when it comes to show time.

Brooke Resler, who sold Piper to Arndt, described the State Fair as “the beauty pageant of the animal world.”

The champion showman has found 4-H to be an incredible experience over the past five years she has been a member. “Oh, my goodness, you meet so many new people,” Arndt said. “It’s super fun and you learn so much about agriculture and animals,” she said.

Arndt said her father, Adam, was in 4-H and “just signed me up.” Her younger siblings, Sam and Trevor, are also involved in 4-H.

“It has taught me many life skills and life lessons,” Arndt said of 4-H. “I’ve learned hard work, persistence and responsibility.”

Arndt will be an eighth grader at Owatonna Middle School this fall. She plays the violin in the orchestra and participates in dancing and track.

But it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that animals have become a favorite activity to occupy her time. Besides goats, she also has beef, chickens and rabbits.