First Place:  1

Entry number:  258

Exhibitor:  Timatpa

State:  PA

Sheep name/number:  Prince

Breed:  Suffolk/Hampshire

1 appears to be the most fault-free lamb in the class.  The picture angles make it somewhat difficult to get the same view on him, however I predict that he is the thickest of the 4.  I'll be the first to admit he may be a little lacking as far as depth of twist and lower leg.  Yet he appears to be neater through is front end, tucked better through the floor of his chest and better balanced from front to rear.  In addition he spreads the most width and dimension down his top.

Second Place:  3

Entry number:  262

Exhibitor:  JbarG

State:  OH

Sheep name/number:  8-06

Breed:  Suffolk X

Here is the lamb I would like to start with if it were not for his deeper chest and drop in his dock.  Certainly 3 is more expressive in his muscle and powerful through the stifle and inner thigh.  However he is more extreme in his rib and drops in his pin placement slightly.  Still there is simply more product in him vs. the ewe lamb. He reads to have more shape of rack and fullness of loin, and most importantly is bigger hipped and better maintains that thickness to his lower leg.

Third Place:  4

Entry number:  264

The ewe lamb is potentially the best designed lamb in class.  Unfortunately she is the most juvenile and appears to be narrower based from front to rear compared to her contemporaries.  Still I read her as a higher quality sheep than 2 that should only get better with age and feed.  I am particularly impressed with the way her neck, shoulder and rib tie together compared to the 3 wethers.  As a bonus she has a tremendously long and level hip for her age and condition.

Fourth Place:  2

Entry number:  259

2 probably has the most mass and volume, but in reality it is probably due to the fact that he appears to be the most mature and has a simple size advantage.  I read him as being more plain in his constitution, not showing the true thickness and expression of muscle we see in the top three.  He is also at a disadvantage due to lacking the condition and bloom that we see in the younger lambs.

Again a difficult class with lambs that can start or lose the class depending on your priorities.  Good Luck!  Eenie Minnie Miny Moe-close!