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EGGSFile....born April 1998, died one hot August day 2002.
I first saw EGGSFile when he was a few days old. John Edwards was so excited about this kid with a red
spot in his back that he was telling everyone. At his first outing, the ABGA Nationals in Kerrville, there
was a constant flow of people in to look at him. He was so exceptional! Even though the judges thought
he was too growthy to hold together and placed him low in the class, the audience saw the potential there.
He was placed in a breeding program at a very early age and I was lucky enough to have his first daughter,
Faith. Faith was a sign of his future importance.
EGGSFile went on to prove to the judges and breeders alike that he would indeed hold together, and would
go on to produce some of the industry's best. EGGSFile had a certain quality about him from the time he
was a baby and he never lost that "specialness". Yes, he got beat in the show ring, he was never
a National champion......BUT HE WAS A SIRE! He put a "stamp" on his kids that set them apart
and made them easily recognized and prized. In a pen of kids, you could find those sired by him. When looking
through the breed magazines, there are many multiple class winners, many show winners, many national champions---But
there are few SIRES---sires who can pass along their winning traits and qualities and produce better quality
from anything they are bred to. That, my friends, is the sign of a true champion, not the numbers of trophies
personally racked up.
John and Jackie Edwards were the breeders of EGGSFile. They never overly promoted him, never turned anyone
down who wanted to breed to him, never held on to his "best" offspring---everyone in the industry
benefited from EGGSFile and the EGGS expertise in producing this fine buck (as well as many others in the
industry). They never "tooted" their horn, but EGGSFile quietly went along producing those outstanding
individuals and the word spread throughout the goat world----people from all over came looking for those
EGGSFile kids.
EGGSFile was special---he was not just a production machine, he also had the sweetest temperament you
would ever want to find. He was always hanging over the fence wanting a rub or a scratch. You couldn't
walk down the barn aisle without giving him a pat. Never mean or ill-tempered.....and this has been passed
along to his offspring. He was gentle giant!
Those who knew goats, knew EGGSFile's value and were willing to pay the price for him. Stan Benz loved
him and appreciated what he was doing for his program. This is evidenced by the breeding program he implemented
when he purchased EGGSFile and moved him to Tennessee. Unfortunately, he never got to see his dream to
its fruition. But EGGSFile lived up to his potential in the resultant Benz sale.
EGGSFile was an industry enigma and a phenomenon. The youngest ennobled goat, producer of more champions
and class winners (registered, percentage, wethers, etc) than one could ever write down in a month of Sundays
(wins by big and small breeders alike). No he wasn't promoted in multiple page ads, his wins and those
of his offspring weren't spread throughout the pages of breed magazines---it wasn't necessary. The quality
he produced spoke for itself.
He will be missed and it is a tremendous loss to the Boer goat world---and to all the people who knew
and loved him. It is sad that he had such an untimely death and under such unnecessary circumstances. It
is a blow to the industry. I count myself privileged to have many of his daughters and granddaughters and
his blood runs strongly through my herd.
Yes, EGGSFile was a legend. His life was short, but he brought much to the people who loved him and to
the improvement of the Boer goat in the United States. His legacy will live on in his offspring.
It is said that the best die young----It is certainly true in this case! |