The Argo and the goat at The Royal

TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2015 /CNW/ - Toronto Argonauts kicker Swayze Waters got a little more than he bargained for when he agreed to attend The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair to learn how to show goats. With coaching from some junior goat exhibitors, Walker was a quick enough study to place second in the celebrity competition that included two of his teammates.

The Mississippi native admitted his only brush with agriculture was some family "who had cows." Nevertheless, he approached the task seriously and listened to his junior coach to gain an appreciation of what it takes to be a champion in the show ring  - given that his championships are mostly earned on the gridiron.

"Our coaches have been showing for a while," Waters observes of the youngsters who were less than half his age. "I wasn't able to retain all they taught me and I think it cost me the championship!" Waters was penalized for not facing the judge, but he showed commitment to positioning his goat.

"These animals are great and it was fun to be around young people in this industry who are learning and showing enthusiasm for what they do," Waters comments. "I had fun doing this."

The Royal is supported in part by the City of Toronto and the Province of Ontario.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

SOURCE Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

Image with caption: "Argos kicker Swayze Waters and a goat at the 2015 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (CNW Group/Royal Agricultural Winter Fair)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151109_C7406_PHOTO_EN_540049.jpg

Karen Poncelet, Marketing Communications and Community Relations Mgr, The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, 39 Manitoba Drive, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3, Direct: 416-263-3411 Fax: [phone]