First Place:  4

Entry number: 598

Exhibitor: TXsheepraiser

State: TX

From the profile exhibitor four has his animal set up far superior to the other three exhibitors.  He has the neck extended and the neck in relation to top of shoulder is close to a right angle which they should be.  He sure has the neck fully extended and the head appears to be held straight.  He has his hands placed under each ear and is using the hand placement that I prefer and he has the muzzle held far more level than the other three contestants.  I would criticize the exhibitor for having the animals rear legs set about three inches to far back.  This makes the animal appear to be stretched and does create a break appearance at the hip/loin juncture on an animal that is actually very correct over this body part.  The young man has his feet and legs set a lot more correctly than the other three exhibitors who have their feet and legs spread too far apart.  I would like to see the exhibitors right foot and heel moved about six inches closer to the point of shoulder on the animals left side, however, his feet and heels are close to the correct angle stance that I prefer.

From the front view the exhibitor needs to have the neck pulled up out of shoulder more and although the head is held straight  and muzzle pretty level, he is pulling  the animals left side too close to his body.

From the rear, I'm assuming the four legs are set square and under the corners.  He sure does have the rear legs set the correct distance apart.  He does have the neck extended, however, he has the muzzle held up instead of level.

Second Place:  2

Entry number: 545

Exhibitor: Natalie

Sheep name/number: Nad

The lamb's legs aren't placed square under the corners.  Front toes and legs need to be brought back about one inch.
Back legs are set too far back. They need to be moved forward about two inches.  By doing this it will make the animal appear more correctly balanced. The top and bottom lines do appear to be level, which is correct, and the neck appears extended, which is correct, head appears to be held straight, however, the muzzle is pointed  up instead of being held level and this causes the animal to break over the juncture.

This exhibitors left foot and toe is extended behind the animals right leg and foot.  This is too far back as it covers up the point of shoulder and blocks the profile view of the brisket. I like for the exhibitor to stand in such a manner their left leg and heel make a right angle with the right leg and heel.  This is not the case, however, she has her feet placed closer to correct than exhibitor 1 does.

From the front view she is standing on the animals left side which is okay and her feet and legs are placed even and behind the animal’s left shoulder which again is correct. She has all four feet set square under the corners which is correct.  She has the neck fully extended and head held straight, which is correct, however, she has the muzzle pointed upward which is not correct, as it should always be held level.

From the rear she has the rear legs set too far apart (remember, set square under the corners).  This makes the animal look out of balance and takes away from the appearance of volume of muscle, especially that of the inner leg.  Notice how much wider the rear legs are set in relation to the distance apart of the front legs. She does have the neck fully extended, however, the head appears to be held to the left instead of straight.  I cannot tell if the muzzle is level, however, it appears to be pretty level.
Again, the exhibitors left leg and foot extend a foot's length beyond the animal’s right shoulder which is way too far past the shoulder point.  Her left heel and leg should be positioned in a right angle with her right heel and leg and not over three inches apart.  I would guess the distance between her heels to be at least 15 inches or more which is too far apart.  I do like her hand placement under the animal’s ears.

Third Place:  1

Entry number: 542

When viewing the profile I want all four feet and legs set square under the corners. The exhibitor appears to accomplish this.  I want the neck fully extended (pulled up out of the shoulder), with the head held straight and the muzzle (nose) held level.  The head appears straight, however, the muzzle points up.  This usually causes the animal to break over the hip/loin juncture.  Also, when viewing the profile I do not like for the exhibitors leg and foot, in this case, the exhibitors left leg and foot, to extend past the animal’s point of shoulder.  In this view the exhibitors left foot extends past the animal’s right leg and foot and the exhibitors left foot is resting on the side. The exhibitor’s foot should be held flat on the surface.

I like for the exhibitor's left heel to be in close proximity to the right foot and heel, almost at a right angle to each other.  I would point out this exhibitor has her legs positioned incorrectly.

From the front view the exhibitor is standing on the animal's right side, which is okay.  She is standing behind the animal’s right shoulder which is also okay.  She does appear to have the neck fully extended and the head does appear to be held straight, which is correct.  However, although from the front I'm viewing width of chest floor I also notice the lambs left leg is not correctly placed and the exhibitor has the rear legs spread too far apart. 

From the rear view the back legs appear to be set square under the corners, the neck appears to be fully extended and the head held straight, however, the muzzle points up instead of being held level.

Fourth Place:  3

Entry number: 576
Exhibitor: Hughey
State: NC

The profile picture is taken at an incorrect angle and position, however, the exhibitor does have animal's legs and feet set square under the corners.  This reflects the animals balance.  He does have neck extended and neck appears to be held straight, however, the lambs muzzle points up instead of level. The exhibitor is not standing correctly.  His left leg and entire foot extend past the lamb's right shoulder.  The exhibitor's foot and toes should never extend past the animals front shoulder, leg and toes.  Again, the exhibitor's feet and heels do not make a right angle and are at least 18 inches apart.  He has his feet and legs spread way too far apart.
The front view does not appear to be the same exhibitor or animal as the profile and rear picture, however, the young man does have his body positioned correctly in relation to his animal’s body.  He does appear to have the animals four legs and feet set square under the corners and the judge does have a good view  of the chest floor, shoulder points, etc.,  The neck is extended, head held straight, but, again, the muzzle points up instead of level.

The rear view of the animal the feet are set square and evenly apart, however, the rear legs and feet are set too far back making the animal to look to stretched and out of balance. He does have the neck extended, is holding the head straight and upon close observation, the muzzle looks fairly level.  Again, the exhibitor does have his feet and legs set too far apart.

have now critiqued all four exhibitors, pointing out individual strengths and weaknesses in showmanship competition and I will now place the four exhibitors and give the point spread.  I see the showmanship class placing 4, 2, 1, 3 with cuts of 5, 2, 1. Again, thanks to the four exhibitors for competing in the first showmanship class.