We caught up with Halee McDade, the exhibitor the Grand Champion Slick Doe at the 2023 Ohio State Fair! Learn a little more about Halee below!

Age: 18

Hometown: Oxford, OH

Grade: Entering freshman year of college at Bluffton University.

What’s your Goat name? and what made him/her so special?
My slick does name is Fenty. I saw this doe in the barn and loved her immediately. I knew she was pretty special and she would make an impact along with great show ring presence.

Throughout your show career what’s been your favorite Goat?
My favorite goat throughout my show career name was colt. He was a wether I had in 2021. I was fortunate enough to show at American Royal in Kansas City and I won the overall market goat showman with him. We had an in incredible bond and he was definitely the best weather I have ever had.

What do you tell yourself right before you go into the ring?
Before I go in the ring I always make sure to tell myself to get my goat shown the best I can. To take a breath and relax and let my hard work lead the way.

What’s your dream college to attend?
I had always dreamed of playing softball in college and I will be doing that in the fall attending Bluffton University where I will be playing softball while majoring in primary education with a minor in coaching.

What’s your favorite thing to do in the barn?
My favorite thing to do in the barn is hangout and have little shows with my family. We are all very competitive and me my sister and cousins like to pretend like we are in the show ring showing.

What’s your favorite show? and why?
My favorite show is American Royal. I have been five times and every time I make the best memories with the best people and friends. I have also had great success here and I cannot wait to go back.

How do you stay focused on reaching your goal?
I stay focused on reaching my goal by working every night. We are in the barn each night for many hours making sure we are presenting our animals to the best we can. We show multiple species including horses and sheep and we always want to show up knowing we worked hard and brought forth the best animal we could.

Who has been your biggest influence?
My biggest influence has been my mom. She is always in the barn with us and was always there for me when I had a game or practice and she was able to feed or wash legs for me. She takes me and my sister to countless shows and does whatever she can to try to make us as successfull as we can. She truly has given us the world.