GUYTON, Ga. — Breeleigh Patrick crouched in the barn, gently brushing her goat Cruella, who nudged her shoulder and bleated softly. The 15-year-old South Effingham High School freshman spent months coaxing, grooming, and training her goat — a partnership that paid off a few weeks ago when Cruella was crowned Grand Champion Jr. Market Doe at the Georgia National Fair.

Breeleigh is the first exhibitor from Effingham County to win the state championship in this category.

“It was really cool to win,” said the soft-spoken Breeleigh.

The Effingham County Fair’s Livestock Shows begins this week at the Livestock Arena, with each show beginning at 7 p.m. The Goat Show is today, followed by the Swine Show on Wednesday, the Lamb & Cattle Show on Thursday, and the Rabbit Show wrapping things up Friday night.

Family pride and recognition

Breeleigh’s younger sister, Hailey, 8, also competed at the Georgia National Fair, placing third overall in the Jr. Market Doe division. Both Breeleigh and Hailey were recognized for their achievements by the Effingham County School Board on Oct. 16, a moment their mother, Shannon Patrick, called “very special for the girls and our family.”

Hailey is one of the renowned Patrick triplets, along with Bailey and Kailey — a tongue-twister even before morning coffee. Their cousin Michaela Kramer also shows goats, making livestock competitions a full family affair.

Life on the farm

At Leaning Oaks Farm, a 43-acre property in Guyton, life revolves around animals. The Patricks raise Black and Red Angus cattle, own more than 200 goats, chickens, pigs, and a handful of barn cats. The goats poke their heads through fence openings, bleating and nudging for a pat from visitors. The air is filled with the scent of hay and the occasional clatter of hooves on the barn floor, while chickens cluck, flies buzz and cats weave between legs, making the barn feel alive with constant motion and quiet chaos.

Amid all that activity, Breeleigh stands out. Parents Shannon and Jake are both South Effingham graduates — Jake grew up showing pigs and cattle, while Shannon joked that she was “a no show.” She’s made up for it now, spending more weekends in barns than most moms spend binge-watching TV.

Now, their daughter has become the barn’s calm center, the quiet star amid the commotion.

A champion’s journey

Breeleigh’s partnership with Cruella didn’t happen overnight. The goat, purchased from top goat breeder Jamie Smith at Blue Team Wethers in Zephyr, Texas, was “as wild as they come,” said Matthew Nease, the farm manager who has worked with Breeleigh for two years.

“You couldn’t even put your hands on her at first,” Nease said. “We started with bucket time.”

Breeleigh would sit on a bucket beside Cruella, brushing her and gaining her trust, her mother, Shannon, said. After that, she began walking Cruella up and down the farm drive with a halter, breaking her in step by step.

Cruella, true to her namesake, has a flair for drama — she has opinions about how long and tight Breeleigh should hold her halter, making their interactions feel like a playful game of tug-of-war.

“The relationship between Breeleigh and Cruella is entirely hers,” Nease added. “I just help with daily care — feed and exercise.”

Cruella’s name is a nod to the Disney villain from “101 Dalmatians” — a fitting moniker for a goat with attitude. Today, Cruella is resting and recovering, following a strict diet and exercise plan, taking supplements and probiotics, and receiving extra care from Breeleigh.

In showmanship, judges evaluate not just the goat, but the exhibitor: posture, control, foot placement, and presentation are all considered. Months of training boil down to just two to five minutes in the ring.

“Animals are not easy to deal with,” Jake said. “They fight you nonstop. They’re not like a puppy. But it teaches responsibility, leadership, and confidence — especially when you’re standing in front of 500 people.”

Over the past three years, Breeleigh has earned three championship belt buckles, each marking a milestone in her journey as a showman. Despite her growing recognition, she remains grounded, preferring the barn to applause and attention.

“She hates all the attention,” Shannon said, smiling. “But she’s earned every bit of it.”

Even without showing Cruella on Tuesday, Breeleigh’s bond with her goat is what matters most — a testament to patience, care, and the quiet determination that turned a wild little animal into a champion.