First Place:  3

Entry number:  023

Exhibitor:  mm

State:  CA

Sheep name/number:  0709

Breed:  Hampshire X

I start the class with what I see as the most complete ewe lamb.  She has good bone and levelness  from front to back, enough width, and a clean underline.  I will grant that she hocks in just a bit on her rear legs, could be a tick smoother at the hip loin junction, and is not the longest bodied ewe in the class but, regardless, still wins rather easily in my opinion.

Second Place:  3

Entry number:  068

Exhibitor:  Chadam

State:  WA

Sheep name/number:  BBCL

Breed:  Hampshire X

Following our first place lamb we find some structural and appearance problems in the remainder of the class.  Without the option of seeing these ewes on the move in my mind it comes down to personal preference and prejudices. I strongly fault breeding ewes on any breastbone visible in the profile view.

I placed 1 behind our class winner and in front of 2.  1 excels 2 in that breastplate I mentioned, has adequate length of body and enough width down the top.  Granted, the top is not as smooth as I'd like and the rear legs hock in too much, but overall I find her more useful than our last pair of ewe lambs.

Third Place:  2

Entry number:  044

I will grant 2 has better bone and more correct rear legs than our second place ewe  but has that protruding breast bone, poor neck set and rolls off out the dock.

Fourth Place:  4

Entry number:  045

Our fourth place lamb presents several problems to me.  She's  long bodied, alright in the neck set, and with less protrusion at the breastbone  than 2, but stands on fine bone. That frail appearance on the profile continues as we view this ewe from the rear.  Her "tubular" body type and high flank continues to disappoint in depth of twist. 

(Note: there was a time in the past when these frailer-made, high flanked lambs were the rage.  Most judges and shows in most states now use a more functional type of lamb.)