• An
excellent way to promote the breed whilst
enjoying a day out and learning more about your
own and others’ flocks.
• An opportunity to find potential buyers for surplus breeding
stock, and a chance for novice shepherds to compare their animals with
those of more experienced breeders. Good judges give feedback about
their choice and discreetly let you know how you can improve.
• Showing rolled fleece allows showing without the effort of a
long day for animals and handlers, and most judges provide a written
scorecard which is a valuable way of learning about wool.
• There is a lot of public interest in rare breeds and Portlands
attract attention, especially because of their coloured lambs and the
adult’s horns.
• You might even win (or at least recoup some entry fees!), but
you will definitely gain experience of how to make the most of your
sheep, both at home and in the ring. Above all, the competition is friendly
amongst Portland breeders and often ends up with the winner buying the
beers.
Where
to show?
The PSBG newsletter and website carry a list each year of shows with
classes for Rare Breeds and those with separate Portland classes.[link
to show list] The list is not exhaustive for Rare Breed classes, but
it is hoped that good support from Portland breeders will increase the
numbers of Breed classes. Your regional PSBG rep may be able to advise
you.
• Choose local shows to start with, and those with Portland classes
for preference (they are generally
more satisfying since the judge should be chosen for their particular
knowledge of Portlands). Mixed classes can put you up against better
known or ‘showy’ breeds where it is harder to do well unless
the judge knows about Portlands too. Contact the show secretary for
a schedule, and make your entries in good time.
• Plan how you will transport animals safely and comfortably –
small lambs may have to be separated from ewes in the trailer so they
are not trampled, and rams definitely need a compartment of their own.
• Be aware of current transport and biosecurity regulations.
• Decide on the timing of shearing in order to show sheep with
enough fleece for the judge to assess (or take the rolled fleece to
the show).
• Choose your classes, not forgetting the ‘peripheral’
classes such as Wool-on-the-Hoof, Group, Pairs or Family classes and
Young Handler (a good way of involving the family).
Selecting
your show team
Choose which animals to show well in advance of the show season, they
will need to be in top condition and this can take several months to
achieve, however, they should not be overfat.
• The judge will be looking for sheep which have good conformation
and reflect the Breed Standard well, including undocked tails. They
should have good teeth and be reproductively sound (rams entire, ewes
with good udders and having lambed in the year of the show).
• Animals with ‘presence’ which stand out from the
flock for their four-square stance, straight back and good locomotion,
alert expression, symmetrical horns, fine fleece and good colouring
are likely to do well.
• Sheep should be registered (or eligible for registration in
the case of lambs) and tagged in line with current regulations. They
must be free from disease; check the schedule carefully for any particular
requirements in health status.
Preparation
Portlands (thankfully) are shown ‘in their working clothes’!
• Halter train your sheep (easier said than done!) well in advance
of the show, so that they move well and will stand still. Start with
just putting the halter on and leaving them tied up for a short time
before feeding time, then progress to standing with them and then leading
so that they are happy to follow you.
• Keep feet lightly trimmed regularly – do NOT overtrim.
• Sheep are to be presented in their ‘natural state’
without having been shampooed or combed. Previous use of soaps or detergents
degreases the wool resulting in a soft, open white fleece which any
competent judge will spot a mile off. The fleece should be clean and
free from dung and vegetable matter which can usually be removed by
wiping with a damp sponge, cloth or towel. Tail wool can be trimmed
in accordance with good animal husbandry, but the fleece must not be
trimmed, shaped or combed.
• Hooves and horns may be lightly oiled (baby oil is clear and
not too sticky).
Show
day
• Leave plenty of time to travel since there are often queues
to enter the showground and you need time to settle your animals into
their pens. Make sure that all your kit is clean and ready and that
you have adequate food and water – carry spare in case of breakdowns
or hold-ups – the weather is often hot.
• Wear a white coat in the ring with the correct exhibitor’s
number. A hat is a good accessory – you may be standing for a
long time in the sun (or rain)!
• Follow the judge and stewards’ instructions, keeping your
sheep under control. Keep the sheep between yourself and the judge so
that he or she can see it moving well. Keep showing all the time, even
when the judge seems to be looking at another animal. Stand in front
of the sheep when the judge is viewing the line from behind and at the
animal’s left side when the judge is in front. Watch experienced
handlers for cues.
• Encourage your sheep to stand well and show themselves to advantage
(without grazing, fidgeting, lying down or butting the sheep nextdoor).
• Don’t speak to the judge unless asked, and don’t
chat to other competitors or spectators. Know key facts such as lambing
dates and age.
• Be prepared to spend time talking to the public about your sheep.
You may be asked some bizarre and inane questions, but the majority
(especially children) are fascinated by seeing sheep close-up and finding
out about them. Information in your pens about the breed and your flock
is well worth the effort.
Fleece
classes
These are excellent and inexpensive way of starting showing, and a great
‘extra’ to the day’s entertainment in the ring. You
may find that hand-spinners will want to buy a shown fleece.
• Select your potential show fleeces ‘on the hoof ‘and
keep them separately in paper sacks or net containers
(NO polythene or baler twine!).
• Fleeces should be clean and free from all debris.
• They should be rolled in accordance with the Wool Board’s
directions.
• Provide a label with the breed name to place next to the fleece
for judging. Another label with your name can be put out later if you
wish to sell the fleece.
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