2004 INBA Premier Youth Exhibitor Nikita Jordan

The 2004 ADGA National Show in Harrisburg, PA, turned out to be quite an adventure for Nikita Jordan, age 11, of Newberry, FL.

This year was the first time Nikita participated with her animals. In 2003 She went with her father and did showmanship, placing fifth with a borrowed animal. Nikita helped with milking the doe and getting her ready for show. Because Nikita's mom Amber was burned this year in an accident, Nikita and her sisters Savannah (age 9) and Mikaela (age 8) did most of the clipping and all of the bathing to prepare their does for the Harrisburg Show.

Nikita's hard work paid off as she did extremely well with 3rd place Senior doeling Ni-Sa-Mi PXE Erindale (her own breeding), 13th place Senior doeling Ni-Sa-Mi PXE Exceeding Erin (sister to above), 20th place 4 year old CH Reuel JJ Erin, and 8th Place Judging and Management . These placing's along with Showmanship participation qualified Nikita to take home the honors of Nubian Premier Youth Exhibitor!

When asked about the trip Nikita wrote, " Long but fun because I traveled with Dan & Rene Brinson in their motor home. We played cards and read. We all worked together on the road to feed and milk." Nikita liked meeting new and old friends. Seeing all the beautiful animals. Talking with breeders like Megan Tredway and Mr. & Mrs. Daubert and selling soap.

Let's talk soap! The first thing that caught my eye when I walked through the doors at the ADGA Nationals in Harrisburg was a carefully planned table of lovely soap products and three equally lovely little ladies behind the table selling their wares. It was apparent that they were very proud of their craft and rightfully so. Mom Amber explained that all three sisters participate in making the soap and their soap business is named after the their herdname Ni-Sa-Mi taken from the girls names Ni-Nikita ,Sa-Savannah, and Mi-Mikaela. "They pick the fragrances, oils, they want to use and molds. I help design the recipes. Niki or Mikaela mix the lye (Savannah is somewhat of a klutz). However, Savannah has the best nose for blending scents.

Niki is the best salesman. The girls sell their soap at goat shows they attend. They were selling their soap at the Nationals -although they barely broke even : ) they say it was one of the best parts. "

Like many home school families, goats have played an important role in their childhood education and 4-H. Nikita has achieved many accomplishments in her four years of 4-H participation including:

Highest selling meat wether in her county, also Champion over all Meat wether for Tri-County area, Grand in 4-H book for county, Grand in Showmanship in county in 2003 & 2004, Grand at State 4-H in 2003, 2nd in 2004

2004 Herdsman award at South Florida Fair (West Palm) and State Fair (Tampa)

Clipping Contest Orlando Youth Show

2002 Grand

2003 3rd

2004 Grand

Nikita has a special Nubian named CH Reuel JJ Erin. She showed Erin for all three of her CH legs and also showed her herself at the Nationals.

She finished Erin in open show when Erin was 2 and Niki was 9. Her goal this year was to get Erin her milk star so she put her on DHIR Standard 20 ( Niki says she wants Erin to be a GCH ). Looks like Erin has made it too!

The INBA Officers and Board of Director's all wish to send Nikita their congratulations on her prestigious award and would like to bestow the honor of gifting Nikita with the first official INBA Youth Membership.

From all of us, Congratulations Nikita!

~Roseann Kebles-reporting