Marybeth's Shady Oaks Farm went on to win the Premier Shetland Exhibitor award for accumulating the most points. From the top, her sheep took top awards for Yearling Ram (who was also named Champion Ram), Ram Lamb, Yearling Ewe (who was also named Champion Ewe), Pairs (her yearlings, shown with the Premier Exhibitor banner), Young Flock, Get-of-Sire, and Flock -- WOW! (I think she won another class or two, but I didn't get photos of those.)
Congratulations also to exhibitors Tom and Tracy Livernois of McTavish Farm, Jack and Sandy Lyda of Honey Lane Farm, and young Quintin Kreth of Thunderhead Shetlands, all of whom brought quality stock and won some premium money.
I could see that my two lambs will be the small ones in their classes at OFFF, and quite a few judges seem favor the bigger Shetlands. But in listening to conversations among the breeders there yesterday (which echoed comments I've read on the Shetland lists, BTW), it is clear that some breeders think Shetlands are getting too big and don't plan to go along with that trend. May we find judges that reward quality over size!
That's it for now at . . .
5 comments:
What neat pictures! And such nice looking sheep and exhibitors. :)I am amazed at how they keep such clean looking animals. My guys have hay, etc. all over themselves. Must be that "Pigpen" gene. lol
WOW, a whole class of shetlands. I think we have the only shetlands for a couple hundred miles so a whole class of them at the fair sounds really unusual - but we are iowa rednecks here.
Hi Becca, I just have to say that I see definite marketing advantages to having the only Shetlands in the state of Iowa. Shetlands are under-represented at the Oregon State Fair due to the five days that they have to be there; at Black Sheep and Oregon Flock and Fiber the classes can be HUGE! (There were 19 ewe lambs and 15 ram lambs in their classes at state, so you can imagine what I'm hinting at.)
And yes, I thought the sheep looked incredibly clean, too, Kathy. MY sheep aren't that clean!
Great pictures Michelle - thanks for reporting on the fair - looks like you've got your helper trained for when you show your sheep now :-) T.
They are gorgeorgous! And then there's their temperament and the best fleece on earth. One of the our guys from Mary Beth was best lamb at Lane County Fair. What a great time for you - if I knew how to type in green, I would.
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