Goat Overcomes Broken Leg To Bring Second Straight Grand Champion Ribbon To Houstonia

Ty Murphy of Houstonia stands with his goat Coe after picking up Grand Champion honors Aug. 9th, 2023 at the 121st Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Murphy is holding the cast that nursed one of Coe’s legs back to health after it broke in May. (Photo by Kyle Hill, Alpha Ag Network)

A 4-H member from Houstonia successfully defended his title from last year in the Market Wether Goat show, leading his 74-pound goat to Grand Champion honors. Ty Murphy prevailed Wednesday afternoon at the 121st Missouri State Fair, edging a goat from Savannah for the top prize. Murphy tells Regional Radio that his goat Coe overcame a serious injury to even make it to the show.

Central MO Info · 23 0810 Ty Murphy Claims Second Consecutive Grand Champion Goat Honors cut 1

Murphy had Coe’s cast with him during the show. Even with the leg healed, Murphy still had to adjust how he handled his goat.

Central MO Info · 23 0810 Ty Murphy Claims Second Consecutive Grand Champion Goat Honors cut 2

Murphy is a member of the Kennedy 4-H club and will be a freshman at Sweet Springs High School this fall.

Payton Rodgers of Savannah stands with her 106-pound goat that earned Reserve Grand Champion honors at the 121st Missouri State Fair. (Photo by Kyle Hill, Alpha Ag Network)

Reserve Grand Champion honors went to the winner of the FFA Division, Payton Rodgers of Savannah. Her 106-pound goat will join Murphy’s at the Sale of Champions on August 19th, marking Rodgers’ fourth trip to the sale. Thomas Limbach of Eugene picked up reserve champion in the 4-H Division, while Lexie Koelling of Bowling Green had the FFA reserve champion.