CASSOPOLIS — For Carly Polomcak, being champion goat showman of the 159th Cass County Fair is a means to an end.

For Carly, 16, of Cassopolis, who will be a junior at Dowagiac Union High School, claiming the 3-year-old Gayle Sherburn memorial trophy for champion goat showman also means qualifying for the Showmanship Sweepstakes.

In 2009 she won champion rabbit showman and the Roger Locke memorial traveling trophy.

“This has been my big goal — getting into Sweepstakes — and I finally got it,” she said Tuesday.

Even success showing rabbits did not come without persevering.

Carly, who belongs to Friendly Folks 4-H, showed rabbits for seven years before carting off the top trophy.

“Four years ago, I had a chance to get this and I took reserve because I took my hand off the rabbit’s head. One little mistake and four years later, all my hard work paid off,” she said last summer.

“Goats are more laid back” than sheep, she said.

Saanens “are considered the Holsteins of goats,” Carly said, “because they can produce so much milk. It’s a fun hobby I always look forward to every year.”

Saanen goats are a white or cream-colored breed, named for the Saanen valley in Switzerland.

Saanens are the largest of the goat dairy breeds

After high school Carly wants to work in the medical field with ultrasounds.