First Place:  4

Entry number: 1355

Exhibitor: EmsoffLambs

State: CA

Sheep name/number: Emsoff #425

Breed: Hampshire X

Website: www.emsofflivestockcompany.com

The #4 female wins this class easily for me. She is the best balanced, best structured, most complete ewe in class. She is extremely good from the side in the way she balances from fore rib to flank. She is level topped, tall fronted, and good boned. From behind, she is wide based and good muscled. To be more ideal, she needs more width and squareness of loin.

Second Place:  3

Entry number: 1353

Exhibitor: Audrey Hoyt

State: OR

Sheep name/number: Ruby

Breed: Cross

I prefer the thickness and levelness of the #3 ewe in a closer middle pair. Although she isn't as tall fronted or extended as #2, she balances better and is more correct in her topline. From the rear, she offers good width of base and expression of muscle. To move up in placing, she needs to be shallower chested, taller fronted, and smoother in her hip-loin junction.

Third Place:  2

Entry number: 1338

In a close bottom pair, I prefer the added length and extension of the #2 ewe lamb. She is possibly the heaviest structured sheep in class and is wide topped and thick stifled. She is tall shouldered and extended, yet isn't as correct in her topline as the top two ewes.

Fourth Place:  1

Entry number: 1316

I chose to round out the class with ewe #1. She is a big bodied ewe that is expansive in her rib and deep flanked. She offers good thickness down her top, hip, and leg. In this particular group, she is the lightest structured with the least amount of length and extension.