We caught up with Nolan Hoge, the exhibitor the Grand Champion Market Goat at the 2023 Illinois State Fair! Learn a little more about Nolan below!
Age: 15
Hometown: Good Hope, Illinois
Grade: Sophomore
What’s your Goat name? and what made him/her so special?
Goat’s name is Donnie. He was special because we were tight. We had a special bond. Wherever I would go, he would just follow right behind me. If he didn’t see me, he would freak out and if I came near him so he could see me, he would mellow out.
Throughout your show career what’s been your favorite Goat?
They have all been fun but the 2022 Illinois State Fair winner was my favorite. He was a good goat! High quality.
What do you tell yourself right before you go into the ring?
I GOT THIS!
What’s your dream college to attend?
There’s a lot of good colleges out there and to pick one would be really hard. All colleges have different attributes, so in my opinion it isn’t about a dream college it’s about what you put in to the place that you attend to make it your dream college.
What’s your favorite thing to do in the barn?
Work. It’s my therapy.
What’s your favorite show? and why?
Kansas City is my favorite show. There is something about the environment that makes it a special place.
How do you stay focused on reaching your goal?
I close everything out and zone in. I know what needs to be done and now it up to me to do it.
Who has been your biggest influence?
There are so many people that have pushed me to do my best. Choosing one would be impossible because they all have positively influenced me throughout my life.
