First Place:  4

Entry number: 829

Exhibitor: EmsoffLambs

State: CA

Sheep name/number: 0245

Breed: Hampshire X

Website: www.emsofflivestockcompany.com

From the profile I believe 4 dominates the class. The first thing I noticed was the extended neck properly placed, then the long, level top line is very impressive, including the long, level hip.  The clean front, including the brisket and shoulder,  make the lamb extremely balanced.  I would call the lamb medium plus in frame considering the age of the lamb in relation to the length of the canon bone.  I also notice a massive forearm including a big foot, large bone, and shag.  The spring of rib would suggest a lot of body capacity and the fullness of the rear flank verifies that.

From the rear the lambs looks wide and flat over the rack and loin with added depth of twist and squareness through the dock.  My only question is if he will have enough bulge through the stifle and I believe he will.  The frame and thickness suggest this lamb has a lot of grow; therefore, if wethered and shown, will need a summer or early fall for its terminal show. The profile will definitely get most judges attention.

Second Place:  3

Entry number: 823

Exhibitor: numberoneshowgirl

State: OR

Sheep name/number: 24

Breed: Hampshire/Suffok

Website: ALG Club Lambs on Facebook

At first glance, it's hard not to notice the sheared lamb, number 1, especially on the profile.  The lamb is really balanced and attractive, however, from the rear view I question if he will have the width and flatness over the rack and loin to be really competitive at a quality show, therefore, for the middle pair, I'm placing the ewe lamb, number 3 second in the class.

From the profile, 3 has a long neck properly placed and is clean through the front and really balanced in confirmation.  She has a long and level top and bottom line with proper rib shape to suggest capacity and thickness and fullness of the hip with muscle that carries down toward the hock. She has plenty of bone dimension, with a muscular forearm and a lot of shag.

In comparing the middle pair, 3 and 1, down the top, 3 looks wider with more flatness over the rack and loin than 1, and she is more than adequate in depth of twist and appears to have substantial lower third muscle.

Third Place:  1

Entry number: 692
Exhibitor: shootingstar
State: TX
Sheep name/number: #0106
Breed: Hampshire X
Website: www.starshowlambs.com

I do appreciate the profile exhibited by the third place lamb, number 1, and this lamb is certainly balanced. However, I also believe he is the finest in bone of any lamb in the class and from the rear I do not see the width over the rack and loin that I see in the two lambs placing above it.

Fourth Place:  2

Entry number: 821
Exhibitor: babyewe
State: WY
Sheep name/number: E

In placing 2 fourth, I do believe this lamb has enough quality to make someone a nice feeder/prospect.  From the profile it appears to me to have a low neck set which takes away from its style and balance.  I do see evidence of length down the rack and loin, but, I do not see the width in these areas as I see in the top two lambs of the class.

Again, I placed the class 4, 3, 1, 2 with cuts of 3, 1, 2. As usual, comments concerning the class are appreciated.