However, when the 12-year-old’s name was announced as winning the Grand Champion Meat Goat category at the New Mexico State Fair, Allison said she was "surprised."

This year is a wonderful year for Allison, her third year showing in the goat category. She has entered lambs for five years now.

At the Eddy County Fair, she won Reserve Grand Champion Meat Goat.

Allison’s accolades include 2001 Eddy County Fair Junior Gardener of the Year. Her entries included pumpkins, squash, chiles, cucumbers, jalapenos and zucchini

In addition to the awards in gardening, Allison also took home belt buckles, banners and a whole slew of ribbons.

She received buckles as the Reserve Grand Champion in the meat category and winner in Junior Showmanship for steer and goat categories.

From the state fair, Allison’s buckles represent wins in the Zia Classic Show for Western White and fine wool goats and Champion of Breed for a Western White.

The Zia Classic, according to Allison, "is just for fun."

Her state fair collection of 2001 buckles also includes first place in meat goat and, of course, Grand Champion Meat Goat.

Allison is participating in the Eastern New Mexico State Fair this week, showing one goat and seven lambs.

With a cheerful smile and a shrug of her shoulders, Allison speculated on her showing at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair, "I might do OK."

The challenge of raising show-quality animals requires discipline, determination and dedication.

Entry rules are very clear, requiring an animal to be owned continuously and in the care of the exhibitor, from a set date, which varies from cattle to rabbits).

This is quite a commitment of time and energy, especially when other young people may be enjoying leisurely mornings sleeping in and lazy days at the swimmin’ hole.

Show stock needs a bit more attention than just feeding and doctoring. An animal readying for fair needs to be accustomed to a halter as well as adaptable to an environment of crowds of people and other animals.

Animals in the ring are also carefully groomed for show, with fair officials having objective and strict guidelines regarding appearance and adornments allowed.

Pal and neighbor Ryleigh Garthwaite helps Allison wash and exercise her lambs. Allision, in turn, helps Ryleigh work with her pigs.

Allison is a member of Cottonwood 4-H and has participated for the last five years.

She is a student at Zia Intermediate School, where she enjoys athletics, participating in volleyball, basketball and track.

"I really want to thank my brother and everyone for helping me. My dad and my mom helped me too," Allison said.

Dad and mom are Lex and Susan Klein. Her helpful brother and his wife are Kevin and Hayley Klein.

Throughout the year, raising the animals is a lot of work, but for Allison, "showing is the most fun," and well worth the effort.