Monique

DeLuna Monique *DNA* (EX90 VEEE)

DOB: March 23, 2020, PureBred

DAM: Sand Stone Ridge JV Cassiopeia 8*M; SIRE: *B Manzinita Farm Admire Matton

ADGA Genetics: https://adgagenetics.org/GoatDetail.aspx?RegNumber=L002084419

Show Results:

  • 2021: 2 X 1st, 2 X RCH
  • 2023: 3 X 1st, 2 X 2nd, 2 X RCH, ADGA Nationals 12th Place – 3 Year Old
  • 2024: 6 X 1st, 1 X 2nd, 3 X RCH, 2 X GCH, 2 X BIB

Monique was retained out of our 2020 Breeding Program and the most unique of all the kids we kept. Initially we were on the fence whether to keep or sell her, then the ugly duckling blossomed into a gorgeous swan. Monique taught us to not judge the development of a kid too early and we were so thankful we waited. She exemplifies dairyness strength, with a beautiful top line and perfectly correct feet, legs and pasterns.

Monique’s pedigree is to die for going back through 2 national champions and one of only a few Lamanchas ever to appraise EX94, Lucky*Star’s LOT Vivian. With an all-star cast like that, Monique is well positioned to carry on the legacy. Monique quickly grew into a very large doe kid and we made an exception by breeding her this year for an April 2021 kidding. Monique was bred to our superstar buck, DeLuna LSF Marcus who was selected to ADGA’s Young Herdsire Development program. We cannot wait to see what this breeding produces. A doe kid would likely be retained. Stay tuned !

2021 Updates

Rarely will we breed a doe in their first year, Monique was an exception. Already weighing 125# at 8 months old, we decided to breed her and were more than pleased with how well she freshened. A beautifully balanced udder with perfect teat placement, medial and foreudder extension, we cannot wait to see what she looks like as a second freshener.

April 11, 2025

Another Painful Loss …

To say this has been a difficult year so far would be an understatement. In December we lost Solarus, one of the first does we started the farm with. In February we lost Moon, the first doe we started with and last evening we lost Monique during kidding. Monique struggled badly yesterday trying to kid out a large single kid and it took myself and Tessa Williams well over an hour to get the kid out – a single buckling. The buckling lives but is struggling at this time. Monique was stressed to the max as we wrestled to get the kid out of her. Deep down inside, we knew the outcome was not going to be good for Monique. Despite the medications we administered and being on the phone with the vet, our hopes ran out. When I went to the barn this morning, I found her lying in the pen. It appears she passed peacefully during the night. Loss never gets easier and this girl was so loved by everyone that works here. I am so fortunate for the support I receive in time of need. Tessa and her father came over early this morning to help bury Monique here on the farm and Amber Skidmore who handles our morning milking took the buck kid home in hopes of rejuvenating him. In addition to the losses of Solarus, Moon and Monique, we’ve lost 4 stillborn kids this year out of 23 kids total. We are waiting for our luck to turn around. It’s times like this that really “challenge” a person and forces one to dig deep and carry on.

Monique was a slow bloomer but finally hit her stride as a 3 year old and went on to accomplish many great things in the show ring, in linear appraisal and on the milk stand. Last year she completed her permanent championship and could officially be designated as CH (pend) DeLuna Monique. Watching her in the show ring was a thing of beauty as she gracefully paraded the ring. My most vivid memory of Monique was at the Logan, UT show last year. The show was running way behind schedule and Monique’s udder kept getting fuller and fuller. As Cathy Pindell held Monique waiting to be called, I bent over to relieve her udder and she whipped around and bit me right on my bald head as if to say “back off, don’t touch me” !!! … and YES, she drew blood, too but I forgave her as she won her final leg for her permanent championship.

Monique blessed us with so many incredible kids along the way and we were very fortunate to retain the buckling and doeling from last year in our herd to carry on her legacy.

Pain heals with time yet our memories of Monique will live on … rest well girl, you will never be forgotten.