My name is Stephanie Axelson. I live in Winlock, WA with my significant other, Rowdy Mars and our son, Andrew Mars. I also have an older son, Bob. He's now off on his own and not currently living with us. We're building a new house on our current property. We can't wait to get moved in.
I got started in pygmy goats in just about the same way most of us get started. It was 15 years ago and I was big in to horses and gaming. I had a show in Winlock at the local arena and Rowdy was going to drop me, the horse and trailer off and go do his errands. He'd be back later to get me. During the day, a woman that was there had this little pygmy goat wether. He was adorable. I had seen pygmy goats before and I had thought about getting one. Who can resist? The woman told me he was for sale for $50. I bought him. His name was Kirby and I thought he was just about the cutest thing in the world. Later, when Rowdy showed up, I got to show him my surprise. He really didn't say much. Rowdy is such a great guy. We took everyone home and built a pen for Kirby. He was very friendly and my boys and I just loved him. It wasn't long before I had to have another one. I started looking in the Capital Press and found a bred doe for sale in Corvalis, OR. I had to have her. So, we took the long drive down and bought her. My obsession with pygmy goats has escalated since then.
I started showing my goats as soon as I joined the NPGA and found out there were shows. I just couldn't wait. I didn't go to many shows as most were farther away than I wanted to travel. I went to the Puyallup Fair, the King County Fair and a few local shows. My goats never really did much of anything. I didn't know what was wrong. I thought they were perfect. Rowdy, being a sheep man and a showman since he was 8 yrs. old, told me that my goats were not show quality. He said that if I wanted to show, I needed to upgrade my herd. I knew a lot of pygmy people, but none very well. But, I decided to talk to Keira Engelke. I had noticed that her goats did very well in the ring and she seemed very knowledgeable and friendly. So, I asked for her help. And...helped me she has. My goats are showing well. I am looking forward to continued success in 2010.
Needless to say, I sold my horses a few years back. I had to make room and more time for my pygmies. I go to as many shows as I can. Keira and I have traveled together and shared expenses for the long distance shows. It's a great time and I've met some wonderful people. I always look forward to going to shows to talk to friends I don't usually get to see or talk to on a regular basis.
I have been the Goat Superintendent for our county fair for the past 8 years. I chair ADGA Sanctioned Dairy Goat and NPGA Sanctioned Pygmy Goat Shows. I judged for the first time for the FFA during the 2007 fair. I also judged the 4-H pygmies at the 2008 fair. I don't claim to know everything about goats. I learn something new all the time and I read my judges manual. I plan on breeding and showing my pygmies for many years to come.
Since I started this website, many things have changed. My herd of pygmy goats have improved genetically. We are enjoying more wins in the ring at shows. Unfortunately due to the economy, I have to limit the amount of shows we attend. My herd size has been downsized but I continue to breed the best animals I can. I, personally, do not want to over-populate the pygmy goat world so therefore I'm being very choosy on who I breed. I may not breed all my does each year. I am working for quality rather than quantity. Therefore I won't have a large number of kids born in 2010.
I have also expanded my interest back to the Equine world. I have bought a Shetland pony I named Priceless Jewels and have trained her to pull a cart. Something I never thought I'd ever do. I've had more fun sharing this new venture with my cousin and professional equine photographer, Wendi Ross. She has been driving shetland's for approximately 20 years. She is also the resident photographer at Happ's Inc. in Ethel, WA. Happ's just happens to be about 10 miles from my farm so it is very convenient for me to load up Jewels and my cart and head over. I volunteer my time at Happ's doing whatever they need help with whether it's clearing brush or helping judge events. In return, Wendi and I have been able to enjoy our activities with the ponies at that facility. I am looking forward to this year's events there. I have a great time meeting new people, watching different types of horse events and seeing a whole new variety of horse breeds I either didn't know existed or have never seen before up close and personal.
