Sheep Show Rules

All sheep must be either owned or bred by the exhibitor.

Each sheep can be shown only once per year, with the exception of prospect/feeder lambs, which can be shown one more time as market lambs.

All entered sheep must be weaned (minimum of 60 days old).  Lambs under 100 lbs. shall be shown as prospect/feeder lambs, those 100 lbs. or heavier shall be exhibited as market lambs.

Pictures must be of profile (side) and rear views of the sheep on flat ground.  No awards (ribbons, trophies, banners, etc.) can be included in the pictures.  Human faces will be cropped out of pictures if possible; if this is not possible, the picture will be disqualified.  Also, no names or ranch names will be allowed in the pictures.  Preferably, for accuracy of judging, pictures will be of shorn, clean sheep.  Pictures can be disqualified at the judges' discretion for poor photo quality, improper angle, or inappropriate content.

In order to promote fairness and competition, each exhibitor will be allowed only two entries per class.  Pictures will be held until enough entries are received from enough exhibitors to make a full class.

The top two placing animals in each class will compete for champion at the end of the year.  Champions will be selected by a committee of our judges.

Just as with any show, strong ethics are required to maintain the integrity of OnlineSheepShow.com.  Altering pictures in such a way as to change the shape of an animal is dishonest.  Pictures can be cropped, lighten, darkened, and corrected for contrast, but any stretching, etc. is CHEATING.  Just don't do it.

Below is an example of an ideal entry in terms of presentation and photo quality.  The entire sheep is visible, it is in clean show condition, the background does not distract, and the photo angles allow for accurate evaluation of the lamb.

Showmanship Rules

Each exhibitor can show one time per year.

Entries will consist of three photos: profile (side) and rear views of the showman bracing the sheep, and front view of the showman presenting the front of the sheep.  All photos must show the entire showman and sheep.  No awards (ribbons, trophies, banners, etc.) can be included in the pictures.  Human faces will be blurred for exhibition.  Also, no names or ranch names will not be allowed in the pictures.  Since fitting is a component of showmanship, sheep should be shorn/fitted and clean.  Pictures can be disqualified at the judges' discretion for poor photo quality, improper angle, or inappropriate content.

Showmanship classes are not included in the judging contest.

Below is an example of acceptable showmanship entry in regards to presentation and photo quality.  The entire sheep and showman are visible, the background does not distract, and the photo angles allow for accurate evaluation of the pair.

Judging Contest Rules

The judging contest will be scored according the Hormel Judging System.

Each contest will be comprised of ten classes.  Entries will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. pacific time Saturday of the week of the current class.  Entries received later than 5:00 p.m. pacific time Saturday will not be accepted.  Non-entered classes will count as a zero.  Only the scores of youth participants will be tabulated for each contest. The participant in each youth age division with the highest score at the end of the ten-class contest will be the winner.