First Place:  4

Entry number:  373

Exhibitor:  dustydivider

State:  CA

Sheep name/number:  08

Breed:  Suffolk/Hampshire

In placing this challenging class we found 4 to be our preference as we prioritized muscle, balance and correctness of finish.  Ideally it could be leveler docked and more extended about its front end.  Nevertheless we chose 4 to start over 1 as it is the stouter, heavier muscle lamb that is fresher and thicker down his top and has a more dimensional leg indicating it should rail the shapelier, more desirable carcass.

Second Place:  1

Entry number:  353

Exhibitor:  jvwv90

Sheep name/number:  Rodeo

Breed:  cross

We do see that 1 is longer bodied, but felt it needed more muscle shape and expression over his top and through his leg to compete with 4.

In the middle pair we used 1 over 3 as 1 looks to be trimmer made in his finish.  He appears to be freer of fat deposition around his fore rib and dock region.  He too is longer bodied and is the more attractive profiling wether of the pair.  We definitely grant that 3 is thicker ended, but is over conditioned, weak topped and shorter bodied.

Third Place:  3

Entry number:  365

Despite these criticisms, we still preferred 3 over the blue fibered wether.  He is the stouter boned, better bodied wether that makes him appear more attractive.  From the side he is fuller through his rear flank and has more depth to his rear leg, giving him a more balanced look.

Fourth Place:  2

Entry number:  356

We do admit 2 is the longest sheep in the class, however he is fine boned, high flanked and the narrowest gauged lamb of the four.