First Place:  1

Entry number: 717

Exhibitor: ewemama1

State: CA

Sheep name/number: Snickers #292

Breed: Hampshire

Website: www.springcreekranchclublambs.com

Starting out with the nicest balanced, most attractive profiling lamb that best combines muscle and correctness of finish to win the class.  Ideally we would prefer the wether with the spot on its side to have more dimensions to his lower leg.

Nevertheless, we chose 1 over 2 in our top pair of the two fresher appearing lambs.  1 from the side is more extended and smoother through its front end.  He too in the pictures appears to be squarer off his hind legs.

Second Place:  2

Entry number: 718

Exhibitor: Daniegirl

State: CA

Sheep name/number: Holly

Breed: Hampshire X

Without a doubt, 2 is the most dimensional when viewed from the rear, however we faulted her and placed her second as she is coarser shouldered and appears for be hocked in on her leg.

Despite these criticisms, the only ewe lamb in the class easily beats 3.  She is fresher and looks to handle with more width and expansion down her top.  She also has more power through her upper hip and has more pop to her lower leg.

Third Place:  3

Entry number: 731

We do admit that 3 is heavy boned and smoothly made from the side; however we get critical of him as he appears plainer down his top, (especially right behind his shoulder) and through his hip.

However, we chose 3 over 4 in our bottom pair.  3 is the smoother made wether that ties higher from his neck to his shoulder, blends in better through his hip-loin junction, is leveler hipped and is the squarer legged lamb of the pair.

Fourth Place:  4

Entry number: 738

Exhibitor: animalluv34
State: TX

Sheep name/number: Jasper

Breed: Hampshire

Yes, 4 is longer bodied and his rack appears to be fresher handling.  Yet, we faulted him and placed him last as he is the poorest balanced lamb that is u-necked, weaker though his loin, round hipped and hocked out on his hind legs.

Therefore, we placed the class 1, 2, 3, 4 with cuts of 2, 5, 3.