First Place:  2

Entry number: 1000

Exhibitor: Belambs2

State: AZ

Sheep name/number: Snyder

Breed: Hampshire X

2 is the ewe that I feel easily wins the class. From the profile, she is the best balanced and most proportional female in the class. She is more productive appearing through her rib and body, yet maintains smoothness about her shoulder and chest. She excels the competition from the rear view as well, showing more thickness down her top and being fuller and more expressive in her leg and stifle.

Second Place:  3

Entry number: 1019

Exhibitor: Kcsheep

State: OR

Sheep name/number: NRR 1252 "Whitney"

Breed: Hampshire X

Website: www.nobleridgeranch.com

The toughest decision in the class was for second place. I feel there is certainly some give and take between the second and third place ewes, and as always, personal priorities separate the two. 3 suits me for being a longer bodied, longer rumped ewe. She also excels 1 in being stouter structured and showing more evidence of muscling from behind. This ewe needs to be cleaner in her shoulder and chest and more expansive in her rib shape.

Third Place:  1

Entry number: 987

1 is a nicely balanced ewe from the side. Her depth of body from front to rear is good. She also has nice extension and smoothness of front. From behind, she opens up extremely well down her top and in her center body. In order to move up in placing, she needs to be wider from stifle to stifle, a touch longer bodied, and heavier structured.

Fourth Place:  4

Entry number: 1024

4 is an attractive profiling ewe that is extended and level. She is correct in her lines and smooth through her front third. However, she lacks the overall dimension, width, and heaviness of structure that the higher placing ewes possess.