2024-2025 Sheep Showing

[farmerjan]

Didn't realize that the Dorper's were separate. Learned something...
People still think sheep and think wool... and they have been bred for "eating" in big numbers for a loooong time... I do... just a force of habit... and so many wool sheep breeds are just built different than the more slim/trim built Katahdins. Not bad... just different.. Like all the breeds of chickens... all sorts of shapes and sizes and a really good "rare breed" has a tough time against a more popular breed even when they are real good.

This is great experience for her, and fun for "mom and daughter" having time together...

 

[farmerjan]

Another thing, many of those sheep had a "2nd" person to help them... and Cassandra was doing it all herself... and she is probably the smallest and youngest there...
I say KUDOS to her...

 

[Baymule]

As popular as Katahdins are, they should be recognized as their own breed, not lumped in with “other”.
Win or lose it is still a good experience for Cassandra. She must have made an impression on the judge for him to remember her in showmanship.

 

[Margali]

@Baymule It is a HUGE step for the Other Registered Breeds to be separated into hair and wool groups this year at Houston. Hopefully, the other major shows will follow suit.

 

[Mini Horses]

If they all split the groups, you'll prob see more exhibitors. Many of the people don't show "because" of judge preferences in mixed breed. It's unfair in many ways for exhibitors to feel unaccepted with actually great examples of their breed choice.

 

[Ridgetop]

Also difficult for the shows to get judges that are proficient in all the different breeds lumped into the "All Other" class. Judges will normally go for the one that is their specialty or favorite. As you could see in those classes some of the lambs were "club lambs" - Suffolk or Suffolk crosses. The black face club lambs were noticeable for their slim tubular bodies and tall bodies. That standard would be completely opposite to some of the other breeds, Dorsets for examble, where the depth of body should be 2/3 the height of the sheep at the shoulder. The thickness in some breeds could cause them to look shorter in the loin compared to the tubular club lamb profile.