[Bionic]

I was tempted to put my ram lambs into a local show but found they don't have a suitable class. There are classes for local Welsh breeds and even a class for any other continental but nothing for any other British.
I was chatting to a lady in the pub about it and quite by chance it seems she is something to do with the show. The show schedule isn't out yet so she is going to ask them to put on another class.
Oh dear, if that happens it means I can't really back out now so what will I need to do?
Anyone got showing tips and also on how to prepare them for a show and do I need a white coat?

[lachlanandmarcus]

Our local show (Banchory) was the same but our rams owner has persuaded them to run a Northern Shorttailed breeds class for the first time, so we are dragging a couple of lambs and a ewe along to support the class, as they will only keep running it if they get entries.


But being a complete novice I wont have a clue either, have asked Mrs Ram but I'm not sure her advice will be right as I think she is planning on ensuring she wins her own cup (she's sponsoring th class too! :-DD which is fine with me :-DD)

[Fleecewife]

Aha - Banchory eh      See you there      Anyone else going?  Do you know which breeds will be there in addition to Soay?   Should be fun 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Aha - Banchory eh      See you there      Anyone else going?  Do you know which breeds will be there in addition to Soay?   Should be fun 

Ours and rams owners are Shetlands so they will be there too... I'm planning on coming cheerily last as our lambs are May so will look tiddly :-)) but that's fine ! And I don't have a white coat, wonder if dressing gown ok :-D

[Anke]

I was tempted to put my ram lambs into a local show but found they don't have a suitable class. There are classes for local Welsh breeds and even a class for any other continental but nothing for any other British.
I was chatting to a lady in the pub about it and quite by chance it seems she is something to do with the show. The show schedule isn't out yet so she is going to ask them to put on another class.
Oh dear, if that happens it means I can't really back out now so what will I need to do?
Anyone got showing tips and also on how to prepare them for a show and do I need a white coat?

You may want to contact someone from the Ryeland Society - they probably have show guidelines. I don't know if Ryelands are trimmed, but if not I would just remove all bits from their fleece, trim their feet, if they are white I would make sure that legs and face are clean (wash with  bit of washing up liquid and flannel) and any mucky bit removed from the other end.
 
And enquire if you do need a white coat or not, some shows do others not.
 
Have fun! but beware -showing is addictive! (VERY!)

[kaz]

Defra rules are a white coat, but not always adhered to at local shows.
White ryelands have to be trimmed properly for a Ryeland show. They need to be washed approx 2 weeks before the show to allow their fleece to spring back, then carded and trimmed. Coloureds, it is only necessary to have them tidy, face and eyes trimmed, but be warned some judges also like them to be carded and trimmed.
Google Ryeland show etiquette, there is quite a good item about it there.

[Bionic]

Thanks Karen will definitely look at google.
If they put on a class in which I can show I have a feeling that the judge may not know Ryeland show etiquette. The local farmers didn't even know what breed my sheep were  .
Nonetheless if I do it I would like to do it properly

[Dan]

Anyone got showing tips and also on how to prepare them for a show and do I need a white coat?

A guide here that might have some useful info:

http://www.scottishsmallholdershow.co.uk/beginners-guide-to-showing-sheep/

 

[Bionic]

  Thanks Dan

[VSS]

PMd you.

[Fleecewife]

Just a quick note to remind exhibitors that, unlike down breeds such as the Ryeland,  Primitives, especially the Northern Short Tails, should not be bathed or brushed prior to going in the show ring.   The idea is to show them 'off the hill'.   If your sheep are dirty, bath them a good couple of weeks before the show so the fleece can recover its natural look.   I have seen NST sheep disqualified for being brushed, and for being sprayed with too much water.
The only fleece prep needed is to pick off any debris and the locks can be arranged by hand.  Obviously dirty bums, bad feet, runny eyes and so on should not be brought into the ring.
Primitives are often shown without halters, and allowed to run loose all together.  The exhibitors then have to catch them which can be great fun.  The easiest way is to have a small catching pen in one corner of the ring and move them in there so you can impress the judge with how easily handled your animal is.
It is also polite not to have sprayed your sheep against fly strike in the 3 months prior to the show, so as not to contaminate the judge's hands.

[Ladygrey]

With the northern short tailed breeds, do they have to be in full fleece? As my Shetlands have been sheared for this year and now worried I can't enter them in anything...

[Fleecewife]

Some shows specify, for example the Royal Highland Show requires Shetlands to be in full fleece, and with Hebrideans, bred ewes must be in full fleece but tups and unbred ewes are shorn.   So check with individual shows.
 
When the sheep has been shorn, enough wool should have grown back to enable the judge to assess the fleece, so about an inch.  People usually plan ahead a bit and shear in plenty of time for some regrowth, or as we do hand shear or roo carefully, so the new growth is left on the sheep.  There's no point taking a bare clipped sheep.