DIVISION 15: OPEN SHEEP
Geoffrey Zimmerly
Co-Director
text: 330-464-7087
DEPARTMENT STAFF
Entries close June 21 at 1 p.m.
ONLINE ENTRY
You MUST enter online at
www.ohiostatefair.com.
Exhibitors should keep their exact login
information (username/password).
Late information available on page 2.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OPEN BREEDING SHEEP
1501: GUYS & GALS LEAD COMPETITION
1502: ALL OTHER MEAT BREEDS
1503: ALL OTHER WHITE WOOL BREEDS
1504: BORDER CHEVIOT
1505: BORDER LEICESTER
1506: COLUMBIAS
1507: CORRIEDALE
1508: DORPER
1509: HAMPSHIRE
1510: HORNED DORSET
1511: KATAHDIN
1512: LINCOLN
1513: MERINO
1514: MONTADALE
1515: NATURAL COLORED
1516: OXFORD
1517: POLLED DORSET
1518: RAMBOUILLET
1519: SHROPSHIRE
1520: SOUTHDOWN
1521: SUFFOLK
1522: TUNIS
1524: OPEN WOOL SHOW
1525: SHEEP SHEARING CONTEST
1523: OPEN MARKET LAMBS
1526: YOUTH JACKPOT EWE SHOW
GROUNDS RULES
Pat Myers
Co-Director
text: 937-935-1975
Sheep Office Fair Telephone Number
614-644-4157 (July 6 – August 9)
Sarah Haskins and Jenni Shoffner
Office Associates
Blake Campbell and Mark McCabe
Exhibit Managers
Nevin Smith Jr.
Market Lamb Superintendent
Ann Mumaw & Pam Seckel
Jr. Breeding Sheep Co-Superintendents
Roger High
OSIA/Farm Bureau Director
OPEN BREEDING SHOW
You must enter online at www.ohiostatefair.com
Exhibitors should keep their exact login information (username/password).
You may enter under a farm name by placing an *(asterick) in the first name line and farm name in the last name line.
If you make your entries in your farm name but want your premium check issued in an individual name, it is the exhibitor’s responsibility to contact Barb Prince after the fair and by August 7, 2026 with this information.
Please refer to the premium book as you make your entries to ensure your animal is entered in the proper class, especially in breeds with both fitted and slick classes.
You will need to provide the following information at the time of entry: Breed, Class, Registration Number, Animal Name (name of sheep on Registration paper), Birthdate, Gender and Scrapie ID (example: OH123-1825).
This information can be entered at the time of online entry. If you do not have it or enter it at the time of online entry, you need to email the entry office at b.prince@expo.ohio.gov by July 15 with exhibitor name, class and animal being updated and what the change is.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
Before Fair: You may substitute an animal within a breed by contacting the Entry Department/Barb Prince by July 20,2026.
During Fair:
You may substitute an animal within a class at check in. One (1) substitution per exhibitor per breed is allowed at no cost. Additional substitutions will be $75.00 each payable at check in.
Note: If the substitution does not fall within the same class as the entry was made, then that is considered a NEW ENTRY and will be charged accordingly.
MISSING INFORMATION: If you do not provide complete information when you make your entries online and do not update your entries with the Entry Office/Barb Prince, there will be a $10.00/exhibitor fee charged when you check in. This will need to be paid in cash in order to have your animals checked in.
Flock and Best Headed entries are not made online, you enter when you check in at the fair.
Terms and conditions are subject to change, including, but not limited to premiums.
ENTRY FEES FOR OPEN BREEDING 2026:
Open entry fee for breeding sheep at the 2026 fair is $18.00 per animal. There is no entry fee for breed flock classes. Processing fees may apply.
Pair Classes for Yearling Ewes, Ewe Lambs, and Ram lambs will be continued for 2026 in every breed. An entry fee of $18.00 per pair will be charged. If you do not enter the pairs class online, you will not be permitted to enter the show ring for that class. Processing fees may apply.
Late Entry (only for Open Sheep) is from June 21, 1:01 p.m. – July 15. Cost is $75.00 late fee per exhibitor, per species, plus the regular entry fee per animal. Contact the Entry Department at 614-644-4052 or b.prince@expo.ohio.gov to make late entries.
ONLINE ENTRY INFORMATION
NEW FOR 2026: Breeding sheep classes will be posted for exhibitors to view before their show. If any exhibitor believes there to be discrepancies, they will need to bring their registration papers to the Sheep Barn office and changes will be made if they are warranted based on entries made. All changes need made by one hour before the show begins. No changes will be made as animals are entering the ring during the show.
Sheep cannot be dual entered. They may only show in one breed show.
The criteria for maintaining a breed show based on numbers shown is 25 sheep. If after two (2) years of low participation, the breed show will be removed and those sheep/breed will be included in the AOB meat/AOB wool classes. If a breed loses their open show, they will also lose their Jr. Breeding Show.
All breeding sheep and market lambs must have USDA official scrapie ear tag at the time of check in.
Registration paper(s) are required at the time of check-in. Original papers are required. No copies will be accepted.
Any exhibitor requesting a late arrival needs to submit to the livestock office all entry information in an email to A.Hershey@ohio.expo.gov and a photocopy of the registration papers that correspond to the sheep being entered prior to the time of check-in. Request needs made by July 15, 2026.
Any exhibitor requesting an early release needs to submit their request in writing to the livestock office in an email to A.Hershey@ohio.expo.gov. Please note: If requesting both a late arrival and an early release, only one (1) could be granted. Request needs made by July 15, 2026.
All animals, regardless of age, except market lambs, must be registered, and have ownership recorded in the name of the exhibitor on the records of their respective breed associations. There will be no exception to this rule. Purchased animals must have transfers recorded in the exhibitor’s name at time of checking papers prior to the show.
The name of exhibitor, as entered in online entry, must be the same name as the current owner as shown on breed registration papers.
Exhibitors will be restricted to (2) two premium monies in each class except for pairs. Only 1 premium per exhibitor per class for pairs. A partnership/firm must be a bona fide organization established at least thirty days preceding the closing of entries and actively engaged in the production or merchandising of the animals it proposes to exhibit.
Breeding animals must bear the ear tag/tattoo required by their respective National Breed Association
All lambs must have eight (8) temporary incisors.
All yearlings must be one year old and under two years old at the time of the show.
Flock: shall consist of a yearling ram or ram lamb, two (2) yearling ewes and two (2) ewe lambs.
Grand and Reserve Champion classes are limited to first place animals. Second place animals may compete for Reserve Champion awards.
Entry numbers will dictate how many pens can be designated for tack, feed and trimming.
No tents or canopies may be used until after the completion of the last show of the day and need to be removed before the first show of the day.
Sheep to be washed must be done so in the wash rack in the north end of the barn.
Fans and tack are not permitted in the Pedestrian aisles of the Sheep Barn.
GENERAL RULES
Registration papers must be checked in the sheep office by 8:00 p.m. on your respective move in day.
ARRIVAL AND CHECK IN TIMES
PREMIER EXHIBITOR
Premier Exhibitor Award will be presented to the exhibitor who compiles the most points under the following criteria:
Points are awarded to only entries owned by the exhibitor and only in single classes
The top ten (10) head from each exhibitor will receive points.
Top ten (10) places in each class will receive points.
Points are based on the number of entries shown in each class.
Champion = 10 pts and Reserve Champion = 5 pts
A tie will be broken by presenting the award to the highest placing flock
1ST SESSION
Saturday, August 1 5:00 p.m. Open Southdown
Sunday, August 2 2:00 p.m. Open Hampshire
5:00 p.m. Open Oxfords
Monday, August 3 9:00 a.m. Open Rambouillet, Open Corriedale
1:00 p.m. Open AOB Wool, Open Merino
5:00 p.m. Open Lincoln, Open Columbia
Tuesday, August 4 9:00 a.m. Open Natural Colored
12:00 p.m. Open Dorper, Open Border Leicester, Open Katahdin ( 30 mins. after Dorpers/Border Leicesters)
2ND SESSION
Friday, August 7 9:00 a.m. Open Suffolk
12:00 p.m. Open Tunis, AOB Meat
3:00 p.m. Open Shropshire
Saturday, August 8
8:00 a.m. Open Polled Dorset
Following Polled will be Open Horned Dorset
9:00 a.m. Open Border Cheviot
11:00 a.m. Open Montadale
Note: Times listed are approximate start times for each show. Management reserves the right to alter show times based upon completion of preceding shows in the arena.
BREEDING SHEEP SCHEDULE
1ST SESSION
AOB Wool (Baby Doll Southdown, Romney, Shetland, Valais Black Nose),
Border Leicester, Columbia, Corriedale, Dorper, Hampshire, Katahdin,
Lincoln, Merino, Natural Colored, Oxford, Rambouillet, Southdown
Friday, July 31
8:00 a.m. Arrival Time. All animals must be in the place no later than 8:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Registration paper check in
5:00 p.m. Jr. Breeding Showmanship (show order will be youngest to oldest)
Saturday, August 1 9:00 a.m. Junior Breeding Show
(show order will be established after check in)
Tuesday, August 4 Release time, following the conclusion of the Open Katahdin Show
2ND SESSION AOB Meat, Cheviot, Horned Dorset, Polled Dorset, Montadale, Shropshire, Suffolk, Tunis
Wednesday, August 5
8:00 a.m. Arrival Time. All animals must be in the place no later than 8:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Registration paper check in
Thursday, August 6 8:30 a.m. Jr. Breeding Showmanship (order will be youngest to oldest)
10:00 a.m. Junior Breeding Show
(show order will be established after check-in)
A “GRAND DRIVE” for Jr. Breeding Sheep will be held on Thursday, August 6 in the Sheep Barn. Champions from Session 1 will be invited back to participate (Approximately 8:00 p.m.)
Saturday, August 7 Release time, following the conclusion of the Open Montadale Show
Once the Regional Jr. Shows start, exhibitors will NOT be allowed to pull through the barn to unload. You would need to carry your tack in and lead the sheep in from outside the barn.
1501: GUYS & GALS SHEEP LEAD COMPETITION
Entry Deadline is June 21 at 1:00 p.m. Entry fee for each individual class is $10.00. Entry fee for pairs class is $20.00. Entry is a two-step process: (1) Entry needs to be made on the Ohio State Fair website and (2) The commentary form which is available on the website needs completed and emailed on or before June 21 to Pat Myers at ohpmyers@gmail.com. Pairs entries will be made in one exhibitor name during on-line entry. Both exhibitor names will be provided on the commentary form.
Judging Standards. Judges will consider: (1) Entrant’s outfit; (2) Poise and Appearance and (3) Control and Presentation of animal.
Class Descriptions. There will be individual and pair classes offered. For the Pairs Class(es), two contestants will wear coordinating wool outfits and the sheep may be decorated. List both contestants on the commentary form, leading one sheep. The sheep must be led by halter (no hitch). Pairs may be split into two classes, depending on number of entries.
Individuals will wear a wool outfit and the sheep may be decorated to coordinate with the entrant’s outfit. The sheep must be lead by halter.
Contestants may enter a maximum of two classes (example: Pairs and an Individual class). A completely different outfit must be worn for each class entered.
Classes will be divided after entries are received and confirmation letters will be mailed with passes and class assignments to entrants.
All first place winners will receive an award. Other placings will receive a premium check in the mail after the fair.
Age of contestant is determined by their age as of the contest date.
Emergency commentary changes can only be requested by notifying one of the Superintendents no later than Friday, July 31. No commentary changes will be accepted the day of the contest.
The apparel must be predominately wool. It does not have to be home sewn. All entrants must furnish their own garments. All clothing items or accessories must be handled by the contestant only. Ring assistants are available to hold the sheep while the contestant(s) is modeling and to assist with sheep movement in the ring. They will not be responsible for holding articles of clothing or accessories.
Breeding ewes or market lambs may be used in the classes (no rams). The sheep must be fitted according to specific breed standards and trained to show by halter.
Participants must have a background or interest in the sheep and wool industry.
Participants will receive 1 admission ticket and a single day parking pass
SUPERINTENDENTS IN CHARGE: Pat Myers, Lisa Frost, Pat Wiford
Sunday, August 2. Check-in will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the sheep barn office.
Classes begin at 10:00 a.m. with no lunch break.
1502: ALL OTHER BREEDS - MEAT
Arrival: Wednesday, August 5. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Friday, August 7, 12:00 p.m.
Breeds Included: Texel, Dorset Advantage and any other breed entered that fits breed registered criteria.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Yearling Ram
02 Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 - November 30, 2025
03 Winter Ram Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
04 Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
05 Pair of Ram Lambs
06 Champion Ram Banner
07 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
08 Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
09 Pair of Yearling Ewes
10 Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – November 30, 2025
11 Winter Ewe Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
12 Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
13 Pair of Ewe Lambs
14 Champion Ewe Banner
15 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
16 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
17 Fleece
18 Premier Exhibitor Banner
19 Charles Dwight Memorial Flock
SPECIAL AWARD
Charles Dwight Memorial Flock (class 19). This award is presented to the first place flock, in memory of Charles Dwight, lifelong shepherd and exhibitor of sheep at the Ohio State Fair. The recipient will retain possession of the plaque for one year and it will be returned the following year to be presented to the next year’s winner. After 10 years, the plaque will be retired and presented to the Dwight Family.
1503: ALL OTHER WOOL BREEDS
Arrival: Wednesday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Monday, August 3, 1:00 p.m.
NEW FOR 2026: White and Natural Colored will be shown in the same show, but separate classes.
White Wool Sheep include: Romney, Shetland, Baby Doll Southdowns, Cotswold, Blue Face Leicesters, Polypay, Finn, Blacknose Valais, Teeswater or any other breed entered that fits breed registration criteria.
Natural Colored Wool Sheep include: Romney, Blue Face Leicester, Finn, Shetland, Baby Doll Southdown, Cotswold
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 White Yearling Ram
02 Natural Colored Yearling Ram
03 White Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
04 Natural Colored Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 - December 31, 2025
05 White Early Spring Ram Lamb, born January 1 - February 15, 2026
06 Natural Colored Early Spring Ram Lamb, born January 1 - February 15, 2026
07 White Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 16, 2026
08 Natural Colored Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 16, 2026
09 Pair of Ram Lambs (must be same color - no mixed color)
10 Champion Ram Banner
11 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
12 White Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
13 Natural Colored Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
14 Pair of Yearling Ewes (must be same color - no mixed color)
15 White Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
16 Natural Colored Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
17 White Early Spring Ewe Lamb, born January 1 - February 15, 2025
18 Natural Colored Early Spring Ewe Lamb, born January 1 - February 15, 2025
19 White Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 16, 2026
20 Natural Colored Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 16, 2026
21 Pair of Ewe Lambs (must be same color - no mixed color)
22 Champion Ewe Banner
23 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
24 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
25 Premier Exhibitor Banner
1504: BORDER CHEVIOT
Arrival: Wednesday, August 5. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Saturday, August 8, 9:00 a.m.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Fitted Yearling Ram
02 Fitted Senior Ram Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
03 Fitted Intermediate Ram Lamb, born January 1 – February 14, 2026
04 Fitted Junior Ram Lamb, born on or after February 15, 2026
05 Pair of Ram Lambs
06 Champion Ram Banner
07 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
08 Fitted Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
09 Slick Shorn Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
10 Pair of Yearling Ewes
11 Fitted Senior Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
12 Fitted Intermediate Ewe Lamb, born January 1 – February 14, 2026
13 Fitted Junior Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 15, 2026
14 Slick Shorn Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after January 1, 2026
15 Pair of Ewe Lambs
16 Champion Ewe Banner
17 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
18 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
19 Best Headed Ram Trophy
20 Best Headed Ewe Trophy
21 Premier Exhibitor Banner
1505: BORDER LEICESTER
Arrival: Friday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Tuesday, August 4, 12:00 p.m.
NEW FOR 2026: Border Leicesters will have their own show. White and Natural Colored will be in the same show, with separate classes. White and Natural Colored will show for Overall Champion and Reserve Champion.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 White Yearling Ram
02 Natural Colored Yearling Ram
03 White Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
04 Natural Colored Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 - December 31, 2025
05 White Early Spring Ram Lamb, born January 1 - February 15, 2026
06 Natural Colored Early Spring Ram Lamb, born January 1 - February 15, 2026
07 White Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 16, 2026
08 Natural Colored Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 16, 2026
09 Pair of Ram Lambs (must be same color - no mixed color)
10 Champion Ram Banner
11 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
12 White Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
13 Natural Colored Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
14 Pair of Yearling Ewes (must be same color - no mixed color)
15 White Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
16 Natural Colored Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
17 White Early Spring Ewe Lamb, born January 1 - February 15, 2025
18 Natural Colored Early Spring Ewe Lamb, born January 1 - February 15, 2025
19 White Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 16, 2026
20 Natural Colored Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 16, 2026
21 Pair of Ewe Lambs (must be same color - no mixed color)
22 Champion Ewe Banner
23 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
24 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
25 Premier Exhibitor Banner
1506: COLUMBIA
Arrival: Friday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Monday, August 3, 5:00 p.m.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Yearling Ram
02 Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
03 Early Ram Lamb, born January 1 – February 15, 2026
04 Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 16, 2026
05 Pair of Ram Lambs
06 Champion Ram Banner
07 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
08 Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
09 Pair of Yearling Ewes
10 Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
11 Early Spring Ewe Lamb, born January 1 – February 15, 2026
12 Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 16, 2026
13 Pair of Ewe Lambs
14 Champion Ewe Banner
15 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
16 Best Fleece (any sex) Award Sponsored by: APB Columbuas
17 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
18 Premier Exhibitor Banner
19 Best Headed Award Sponsored by: Seifert Farms
1507: CORRIEDALE
Arrival: Friday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Monday, August 3, 9:00 a.m.
Champion Corriedale Ram will receive a traveling award in memory of Keith Chamberlin.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Yearling Ram
02 Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
03 Early Spring Ram Lamb, born January 1 - 31, 2026
04 Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
05 Pair of Ram Lambs
06 Champion Ram Banner
07 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
08 Early Yearling Ewe, born September 1 – January 31, 2025
09 Late Yearling Ewe, born on or after February 1, 2025
10 Pair of Yearling Ewes
11 Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
12 Early Spring Ewe Lamb, born January 1 – January 31, 2026
13 Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
14 Pair of Ewe Lambs
15 Champion Ewe Banner
16 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
17 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
18 Best Fleece Plaque
19 Premier Exhibitor Banner
1508: DORPER
Arrival: Friday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Tuesday, August 4, 12:00 p.m.
Note: Dorper and White Dorper show together
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Yearling Ram
02 Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
03 Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after January 1, 2026
04 Pair of Ram Lambs
05 Champion Ram Banner
06 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
07 Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
08 Pair of Yearling Ewes
09 Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
10 Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after January 1, 2026
11 Pair of Ewe Lambs
12 Champion Ewe Banner
13 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
14 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
15 Premier Exhibitor Banner
16 Best Headed Award
DORSET ADVANTAGE
Dorset Advantage will NOT have their own show in 2026 due to not meeting the minimum numbers over a two year average. They will show in AOB Meat beginning in 2026.
1509: HAMPSHIRE
Arrival: Friday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Sunday, August 2, 2:00 p.m.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Yearling Ram, Fitted & Slick, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
02 Slick Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – November 30, 2025
03 Slick Winter Ram Lamb, born December 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026
04 Slick Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
05 Fitted Ram Lamb, born September 1, 2025 and after
06 Pair of Ram Lambs
07 Champion Ram Banner
08 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
09 Fitted Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
10 Slick Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
11 Pair of Yearling Ewes
12 Slick Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – November 30, 2025
13 Slick Winter Ewe Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
14 Slick Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
15 Fitted Ewe Lamb, born September 1, 2025 and after
16 Pair of Ewe Lambs
17 Champion Ewe Banner
18 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
19 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
20 Premier Exhibitor Banner
1510: HORNED DORSET
Arrival: Wednesday, August 5. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Saturday, August 8, Following the Polled Dorset show
All sheep registered in the Continental Dorset Club must be on Green Paper for rams and Light Yellow Paper for ewes or registered in the Dorset Horned Flock Book or Great Britain or the Canadian Dorset Horned Register as pure Horned Dorset sheep.
Animals with a letter prefix of NH, S or P with their association registry number are not allowed to be shown in the Horned Dorset Classes.
SPECIAL FLOCK AWARD
Flock. Marilyn Squires Memorial Rotation Trophy.
In Memory of Marilyn Squires’ 44 years contribution to the Dorset Breed.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Fitted Yearling Ram
02 Fitted Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 - November 30, 2025
03 Fitted Winter/Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after December 1, 2025
04 Slick Shorn Ram Lamb, born after September 1, 2025
05 Pair of Ram Lambs
06 Champion Ram Banner
07 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
08 Fitted Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
09 Slick Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
10 Pair of Yearling Ewes
11 Fitted Early Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 - September 30, 2025
12 Fitted Late Fall Ewe Lamb, born October 1 - November 30, 2025
13 Slick Shorn Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 - November 30, 2025
14 Fitted Winter Ewe Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
15 Fitted Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
16 Slick Shorn Winter/Spring Ewe Lamb - born on or after December 1, 2025
17 Pair of Ewe Lambs
18 Champion Ewe Banner
19 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
20 Flock, owned by Exhibitor *
21 Premier Exhibitor Banner
1511: KATAHDIN
Arrival: Friday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Tuesday, August 4, 30 minutes following the Dorper Show
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Yearling Ram
02 Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
03 Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after January 1, 2026
04 Pair of Ram Lambs
05 Champion Ram Banner
06 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
07 Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
08 Pair of Yearling Ewes
09 Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
10 Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after January 1, 2026
11 Pair of Ewe Lambs
12 Champion Ewe Banner
13 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
14 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
15 Premier Exhibitor Banner
1512: LINCOLN
Arrival: Friday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Monday, August 3, 5:00 p.m.
NEW FOR 2026: White and Natural Colored Lincoln’s will be shown in the same show, but separate classes
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 White Yearling Ram
02 Natural Colored Yearling Ram
03 White Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – November 30, 2025
04 Natural Colored Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 - November 30, 2025
05 White Early Spring Ram Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
06 Natural Colored Early Spring Ram Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
07 White Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
08 Natural Colored Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
09 Pair of Ram Lambs (must be same color - no mixed color)
10 Champion Ram (white and natural colored show for overall champion) Banner
11 Reserve Champion Ram (white and natural colored show for overall reserve) Banner
12 White Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
13 Natural Colored Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
14 Pair of Yearling Ewes (must be same color - no mixed color)
15 White Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – November 30, 2025
16 Natural Colored Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – November 30, 2025
17 White Early Spring Ewe Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
18 Natural Colored Early Spring Ewe Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
19 White Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
20 Natural Colored Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
21 Pair of Ewe Lambs (must be same color - no mixed color)
22 Champion Ewe (white and natural colored show for overall Champion) Banner
23 Reserve Champion Ewe (white and natural colored show for overall Reserve) Banner
24 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
25 Premier Exhibitor Banner
26 Best Fleece
1513: MERINO
Arrival: Friday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Monday, August 3, 1:00 p.m.
NEW FOR 2026: White and Natural Colored Merino’s will be shown in the same show, but separate classes
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 White Yearling Ram
02 Natural Colored Yearling Ram
03 White Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – November 30, 2025
04 Natural Colored Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 - November 30, 2025
05 White Early Spring Ram Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
06 Natural Colored Early Spring Ram Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
07 White Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
08 Natural Colored Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
09 Pair of Ram Lambs (must be same color - no mixed color)
10 Champion Ram - White Banner
11 Champion Ram - Natural Colored Banner
12 Reserve Champion Ram - White Banner
13 Reserve Champion Ram - Natural Colored Banner
14 White Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
15 Natural Colored Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
16 Pair of Yearling Ewes (must be same color - no mixed color)
17 White Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – November 30, 2025
18 Natural Colored Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – November 30, 2025
19 White Early Spring Ewe Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
20 Natural Colored Early Spring Ewe Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
21 White Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
22 Natural Colored Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
23 Pair of Ewe Lambs (must be same color - no mixed color)
24 Champion Ewe - White Banner
25 Champion Ewe - Natural Colored Banner
26 Reserve Champion Ewe - White Banner
27 Reserve Champion Ewe - Natural Colored Banner
28 Flock, owned by Exhibitor “In Memory of Jerry Frame” Association
29 Premier Exhibitor Banner
30 Best Fleece “In Memory of Kenrick Smith” Association
31 Best Headed Award – sponsored by Ewe & I Award
SPECIAL FLOCK AWARD
In Memory of Jerry Frame
SPECIAL BEST FLEECE AWARD
In Memory of Kenrick Smith
1514: MONTADALE
Arrival: Wednesday, August 5. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Saturday, August 8, 11:00 a.m.
BEST HEADED AWARD
Sponsored by the Blair Family in Memory of Steve Blair
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Best Headed Montadale Award Sponsored by the Blair Family, In memory of Steve Blair
02 Fitted Yearling Ram, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
03 Fitted Early Ram Lamb, born September 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026
04 Fitted Late Ram Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
05 Slick Shorn Ram Lamb, born on or after January 1, 2026
06 Pair of Ram Lambs
07 Champion Ram Banner
08 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
09 Fitted Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
10 Slick Shorn Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
11 Pair of Yearling Ewes
12 Fitted Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
13 Fitted Early Spring Ewe Lamb, born January 1 - February 15, 2026
14 Fitted Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 16, 2026
15 Slick Shorn Ewe Lamb, born on or after January 1, 2026
16 Pair of Ewe Lambs
17 Champion Ewe Banner
18 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
19 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
20 Premier Exhibitor Banner
1515: NATURAL COLORED
Arrival: Friday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Tuesday, August 4, 9:00 a.m.
Only Natural Colored Sheep registered with the Natural Colored Wool Growers Association will be allowed to show in this division.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Yearling Ram, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
02 Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
03 Early Spring Ram Lamb, born January 1 - February 15, 2026
04 Late Spring Ram Lamb, born February 16, 2026 & after
05 Pair of ram lambs
06 Champion Ram Banner
07 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
08 Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
09 Pair of Yearling Ewes
10 Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
11 Early spring ewe lambs, born January 1 – February 15, 2026
12 Late spring ewe lamb, born February 16, 2026 & after
13 Pair of Ewe Lambs
14 Champion Ewe Banner
15 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
16 Flock, owned by exhibitor
17 Premier Exhibitor Banner
18 Best Fleece Award sponsored by Ohio Natural Colored Association Award
1516: OXFORD
Arrival: Friday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Sunday, August 2, 5:00 p.m.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Fitted Yearling Ram
02 Fitted Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
03 Fitted Early Spring Ram Lamb, born January 1 – February 14, 2026
04 Fitted Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 15, 2026
05 Pair of Ram Lambs
06 Champion Ram Banner
07 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
08 Fitted Early Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – February 14, 2025
09 Fitted Late Yearling Ewe, born on or after February 15, 2025
10 Slick Shorn Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 -August 31, 2025
$25 $20 $18 $15 Paid by Ohio Oxford Association
11 Pair of Yearling Ewes
12 Fitted Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
13 Fitted Early Spring Ewe Lamb, born January 1 - February 14, 2026
14 Fitted Late Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 15, 2026
15 Slick Shorn Ewe Lamb, born on or after January 1, 2026
$25 $20 $18 Paid by Ohio Oxford Association
16 Pair of Ewe Lambs
17 Champion Ewe Banner
18 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
19 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
20 Premier Exhibitor Banner
1517: POLLED DORSET
Arrival: Wednesday, August 5. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Saturday, August 8, 8:00 a.m.
All animals in the Polled Dorset breeding classes must be recorded or accepted for record in the Flock Book of the Continental Dorset Club or the Dorset Horned Flock Book of Great Britain or the Canadian Dorset Horned Register and must not have been exhibited in Section 1507.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Yearling Ram, Fitted or Slick
02 Fitted Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – November 30, 2025
03 Fitted Winter/Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after December 1, 2025
04 Slick Shorn Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 - November 30, 2025
05 Slick Shorn Winter Ram Lamb, born December 1, 2025 and after
06 Pair of Ram Lambs
07 Champion Ram Banner
08 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
09 Fitted Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
10 Slick Shorn Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
11 Pair of Yearling Ewes
12 Fitted Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – September 30, 2024
13 Fitted Winter/Spring Ewe Lamb, born December 1, 2025 and after
14 Slick Shorn Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – November 30, 2025
15 Slick Shorn Winter Ewe Lamb, born December 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026
16 Slick Shorn Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
17 Pair of Ewe Lambs
18 Champion Ewe Banner
19 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
20 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
21 Premier Exhibitor Banner
22 Best Headed Polled Ram – Award sponsored by Matt & Stephanie Martin Family Award
23 Best Headed Polled Ewe – Award sponsored by Inbody Polled Dorsets Award
1518: RAMBOUILLET
Arrival: Friday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Monday, August 3, 9:00 a.m.
Premier Ohio Breeder – The winners need not be an exhibitor at this show nor the owner of the point winning animals, but must be a member in good standing with Ohio Rambouillet Association. Points figured on sheep bred and owned in Ohio.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Yearling Ram
02 Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 - November 30, 2025
03 Winter Ram Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
04 Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
05 Pair of Ram Lambs
06 Champion Ram Banner
07 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
08 Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
09 Pair of Yearling Ewes
10 Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – November 30, 2025
11 Winter Ewe Lamb, born December 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026
12 Spring Ewe Lamb, born on or after February 1, 2026
13 Pair of Ewe Lambs
14 Champion Ewe Banner
15 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
16 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
17 Premier Exhibitor Banner
18 Best Fleece, one animal per exhibitor
19 Best Headed (either sex)
1519: SHROPSHIRE
Arrival: Wednesday, August 5. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Friday, August 7, 3:00 p.m.
NEW IN 2026: All 4 Champions animals will be tested as they cannot show the D gene. Others may be randomly tested. If the D gene is present, premiums will be held.
The American Shropshire Association rules state that all Shropshires must be slick shorn.
Exhibitors can only show a total of four (4) yearling ewes and a total of six (6) spring ewe lambs.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Best 2 Head – Max Bryant Memorial Award (rams and/or ewes) Award sponsored by Bryant Family
02 Yearling Ram
03 Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
04 Early Spring Ram Lamb, born January 1 - January 31, 2026
05 Late Spring Ram Lamb, born February 1, 2026 and later
06 Pair of Ram Lambs
07 Champion Ram Banner
08 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
09 Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 - January 20, 2025
10 Yearling Ewe, born January 21 - February 10, 2025
11 Yearling Ewe, born February 11, 2025 and later
12 Pair of Yearling Ewes
13 Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
14 Early January Ewe Lamb, born January 1 - January 15, 2026
15 Late January Ewe Lamb, born January 16 - January 31, 2026
16 Early February Ewe Lamb, born February 1 -14, 2026
17 Late February Ewe Lamb, born February 15, 2026 and later
18 Pair of Ewe Lambs
19 Champion Ewe Banner
20 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
21 Best Pen of 4 Lambs, both sexes represented – Highest placing Ohio exhibitor will receive the C. Emil Hartzell Memorial Award
22 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
23 Premier Exhibitor Banner
1520: SOUTHDOWN
Arrival: Friday, July 31. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Saturday, August 1, 5:00 p.m.
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Yearling Ram
02 Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 - December 31, 2025
03 January Ram Lamb, born January 1 - January 31, 2026
04 February Ram Lamb, born February 1 - February 28, 2026
05 March Ram Lamb, born on or after March 1, 2026
06 Pair of Ram Lambs
07 Champion Ram Banner
08 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
09 Early Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – February 15, 2025
10 Late Yearling Ewe, born on or after February 16, 2025
11 Pair of Yearling Ewes
12 Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
13 January Ewe Lamb, born January 1 – January 31, 2026
14 Early February Ewe Lamb, born February 1 – February 15, 2026
15 Late February Ewe Lamb, born February 16 – February 28, 2026
16 March Ewe Lamb, born on or after March 1, 2026
17 Pair of Ewe Lambs
18 Champion Ewe Banner
19 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
20 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
21 Premier Exhibitor Banner
22 Ohio Premier Exhibitor Award sponsored by the Ohio Southdown Breeder’s Association. Must be a member of the Ohio Southdown Association by May 1, 2026. Banner
Southdowns must be shown slick shorn. Wool can be left on the face and below the knee and hock.
1521: SUFFOLK
Arrival: Wednesday, August 5. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Friday, August 7, 9:00 a.m.
Please note when entering classes that there are Breeding Ewe classes and Wether Dam classes this year. Refer to the Suffolk breed standards at https://suffolks.org/images/resources/Suffolk-Breed-Standards-2020- updated.wedp if necessary and enter the appropriate class(es).
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Yearling Ram, fitted & slick, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
02 Fall Ram Lamb, Fitted & Slick, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
03 Fitted Early Spring Ram Lamb, born January 1 – January 20, 2026
04 Fitted Late Spring Ram Lamb, born on or after January 21, 2026
05 Slick Shorn Ram Lamb, born on or after January 1, 2026
06 Pair of Ram Lambs
07 Champion Ram Banner
08 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
09 Fitted Breeding Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
10 Slick Shorn Breeding Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – Aug 31.,2025
11 Slick Shorn Wether Dam Yearling Ewe, born Sept 1, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2025
12 Pair of Yearling Ewes
13 Fitted Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
14 Slick Shorn Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1– December 31, 2025
15 Fitted Early Spring breeding Ewe Lamb, born January 1 – January 20,2026
16 Fitted Late Spring breeding Ewe Lamb, born on or after January 21, 2026
17 Slick Shorn Spring Breeding Ewe Lamb, born on or after January 1, 2026
18 Slick Shorn Wether Dam Ewe Lamb, born on or after January 1, 2026
19 Pair of Ewe Lambs
20 Champion Ewe Banner
21 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
22 Flock, owned by Exhibitor
23 Premier Exhibitor Banner
24 Best 4 Head – Must be an Ohio Breeder
1522: TUNIS
Arrival: Wednesday, August 5. Check in by 8:00 p.m.
Show date/time: Friday, August 7, 12:00 p.m.
SPECIAL AWARD
Get of Sire award sponsored by Darling Tunis
CLASS # CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Fitted Yearling Ram
02 Fall Ram Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
03 Fitted January Ram Lamb, born January 1 – January 31, 2026
04 Fitted February Ram Lamb, born February 1 - February 28, 2026
05 Fitted March Ram Lamb, born March 1 – March 31, 2026
06 Slick Shorn Ram Lambs, born after January 1, 2026
07 Pair of Ram Lambs
08 Champion Ram Banner
09 Reserve Champion Ram Banner
10 Fitted Early Yearling Ewe, born September 1, 2024 – February 15, 2025
11 Fitted Late Yearling Ewe, born or after February 16, 2025
12 Slick Shorn Yearling Ewe, born on or after September 1, 2024
13 Pair of Yearling Ewes
14 Fall Ewe Lamb, born September 1 – December 31, 2025
15 Fitted Early spring Ewe Lamb, born January 1 – February 15, 2026
16 Fitted late spring Ewe Lamb, born February 16, 2026 and later
17 Slick shorn early spring ewe lamb – born January 1, - February 15, 2026
18 Slick Shorn late spring Ewe Lamb, born February 16, 2026 and later
19 Pair of Ewe Lambs
20 Champion Ewe Banner
21 Reserve Champion Ewe Banner
22 Flock
23 Premier Exhibitor Banner
24 Get of Sire
Three head, any age, both sexes represented, owned by exhibitor, sired by the same ram Award
1524: OPEN WOOL SHOW
Arrival time: Friday, July 31, 4-8 p.m.
Judging: Sunday, Aug 2, 2:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: $5.00 per fleece
Wool Show Chairman – Blake Campbell. Committee members: Tom Conner and Rob Sando.
Check in at the office and/or wool room to drop off your entries. The Chairman and/or committee members will tag and place your wool in the exhibit area.
Premium payout is a percentage of the entry fees received by June 21, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.
Fleeces will be released Saturday, August 8 beginning at 12:00 noon
Fleeces need to be picked up on Saturday, August 8.
No Mail in Fleece entries are allowed.
RULES: In addition to the general rules governing entries, exhibits and awards, the following rules apply specifically to the wool exhibit:
All wool exhibited must be shorn within the year shown.
All fleece entered in the purebred exhibit must have been removed from purebred sheep recorded in their respective registry associations.
All fleece entered in the purebred and market class exhibits must have been grown on sheep owned by the exhibitor and show under his name. The exhibitor must own the sheep the fleece was shorn from. Fleeces acquired from shearing others’ sheep will not be accepted. The committee has the authority to make the decision if a fleece is in question. If entry is denied at check in, no entry refund will be given.
Exhibitors are limited to a maximum of two entries in each class.
All fleece for exhibit may be tied with paper twine or in clear plastic bags. Management can reject fleece tied with twine or fleece with excessive amount of foreign material such as tags, burrs, chaff, seeds, straw, etc.
CLASS NUMBER CLASS DESCRIPTION AWARD
01 Cheviot – Ram or Ewe Fleece
02 Columbia – Ram Fleece
03 Columbia – Ewe Fleece
04 Corriedale – Ram Fleece [$10, $5, $5, $5 paid by Corriedale Assn.]
05 Corriedale – Ewe Fleece [$10, $5, $5, $5 paid by Corriedale Assn.]
06 Hampshire – Ram or Ewe Fleece
07 Horned Dorset – Ram Fleece
08 Horned Dorset – Ewe Fleece
09 Lincoln – Ram Fleece
10 Lincoln – Ewe Fleece
11 Merino – Class C – Ram Fleece
12 Merino - Class C – Ewe Fleece
13 Montadale – Ram Fleece
14 Montadale – Ewe Fleece
15 Oxford – Ram or Ewe Fleece
16 Polled Dorset – Ram Fleece
17 Polled Dorset – Ewe Fleece
18 Rambouillet – Ram Fleece
19 Rambouillet – Ewe Fleece
20 Shropshire – Ram or Ewe Fleece
21 Southdown – Ram Fleece
22 Southdown – Ewe Fleece
23 Suffolk – Ram or Ewe Fleece
24 Tunis – Ram or Ewe Fleece
25 AOB – Ram Fleece
26 AOB – Ewe Fleece
Class # MARKET CLASS EXHIBITS
27 Fine
28 One-half blood staple
29 Three-eighths blood staple
30 One-fourth blood staple
31 Low Quarter blood
32 Braid long staple
HAND SPINNING FLEECE SHOW
Class # Natural Colored Spinner Class
33 Natural Colored Spinner -Fine
34 Natural Colored Spinner - Medium
35 Natural Colored Spinner - Coarse
36 Natural Colored Spinner - Braid Long Staple
White Spinner Class
37 White Spinner - Fine
38 White Spinner - Medium
39 White Spinner - Coarse
40 White Spinner - Braid Long Staple
Champion Fine Wool Fleece Banner
Champion Medium Wool Fleece Banner
Champion Coarse Wool Fleece Banner
NOTES:
No hair sheep will have a wool class.
No Natural Colored Class. Those would be entered under the Spinner Classes.
1525: SHEEP SHEARING CONTEST
Contest time: Friday, July 3, 10 a.m.
Entry Fee: $25.00
Superintendent in Charge: Gregg Fogle
Entries must be made online at www.ohiostatefair.com no later than June 21 at 1:00 p.m., accompanied by the entry fee. The entry fee will provide contestants one admission ticket and a single day parking pass.
ORDER OF CONTEST: Senior, Junior, Shepherds Eastern National
PLAN OF CONTEST: Contestants will compete in groups of four or as many best fit heats. Drop shafts shearing trailer, and shearing equipment will be furnished by Geoff Baldwin, Diamond, Ohio. Contestants can provide their own shearing machines and shafts if they feel necessary and Geoff Baldwin will provide equipment with pin drives. Contestants must furnish their own hand piece. Shearers may use their own Shearmaster.
SCORING: The contest will be judges by experienced shearers using the following Points:
Time for Shearing 20
Absence of cuts on Sheep 15
Handling of Sheep 15
*Absence of second cuts in Fleece 20
*Condition of Fleece 20
Appearance of Shorn Sheep 10
TOTAL 100
Shepherd’s Eastern Regional National Shearing Contest
Open to all out of State and Champions of recognized state, regional or national contests held anywhere. The 2025 winner of the Ohio Senior Shearing Contest is not eligible to compete in the Shepherd’s Eastern National Shearing Contest until 2026.
Class 1 - Eastern Regional National
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th
Banner – Fastest time in the preliminaries – sponsored by the Strode Family in Memory of Howard Strode.
Banner – in memory of Robert “Bob” Taylor for top shearer who scores most points on “Absence of Second Cuts in Fleece” in the preliminaries presented by Justin Taylor Family.
Banner – in memory of Clifford Scott for “highest scoring pen on appearance” of the animals in preliminaries presented by June Scott.
Contest time: Friday, July 31, 10 a.m.
Entry Fee: $25.00
Class 2 - Senior Division
Participants are Ohio residents and must be 18 years of age and older. Once an exhibitor wins this division, they are required to move up to the Champion of Champions/ Shepherds Eastern National Class.
1st 2nd
Banner – 1st place will receive a trophy sponsored by Cable Lamb and Wool.
1523: OPEN DIVISION MARKET LAMBS
Sunday, July 26 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Optional move into fair/assigned pens with vet check upon arrival
Monday, July 27 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Move into fair/assigned pens and vet check
8:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Check in and pick up cards at the office
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Classification
Thursday, July 30 8:00 a.m. Open Market Lamb Show
Released after completion of Open Market Lamb Show
Entry Fee: $25.00/lamb. Processing fees may apply.
All market lambs must be entered online at www.ohiostatefair.com. Exhibitors should keep a record of their exact login information (user name/password).
Exhibitor may enter up to ten (10) animals in the Market Lamb/Youth Jackpot Ewe show. Maximum of 6 market lambs and 4 Youth Jackpot Ewe show entries. There are NO substitutions this year.
NO late entries will be accepted.
Pens will be assigned and posted on the Ohio State Fair Sheep Department Facebook page and posted on the wall outside the Sheep Department Office.
No fans or coolers are permitted in the Pedestrian Aisle. Those not in the appropriate location will be removed from the barn.
Premium Payout will be a percentage of the entry fee dollars received from the open market lamb division.
Scrapie Tags. All market lambs must have an official USDA Scrapie tag at the time of classification. Ohio State Fair will no longer tag lambs with Scrapie tags. This is the responsibility of the exhibitor. USDA and ODA officials will check to see all tags are in place.
General Rules/Guidelines:
Minimum weight is 90 lbs. No lamb will be eliminated for weighing less than their declared weight, unless under 90lbs in the market division.
There will not be a maximum weight, therefore, there will NOT be a Heavyweight class.
Lambs exhibiting testicular tissue are not eligible for competition in any market lamb class. Lambs which show recent castration, and which are not healed are not eligible for competition in any market lamb class.
All market lambs must be under one year of age and show lamb mouth.
One person per lamb in the make-up ring.
Muzzles on lambs are prohibited while on the Ohio State Fairgrounds.
Drenching of lambs is prohibited.
Lambs must stay in the vicinity of the Sheep Barn. If walking lambs outside of the barn, they must stay within the blue fire lane marked on the pavement around the sheep barn.
Slapping of lambs is prohibited. You will receive only one warning for this offense. On the second offense, all of your entries will be disqualified at that point and you will need to leave the fairgrounds. There is a no tolerance for this policy.
Pens must be put back together before receiving a release slip.
Fitting Guidelines:
The Ohio State Fair is a slick sheared market lamb show. All lambs must be freshly shorn with a 13 tooth comb or less and washed by Classification time. Head wool is allowed at classification. Leg wool is allowed from the knees and hocks down. Belly wool must be completely shorn and equal to the length of wool on the body at the time of the show. Belly wool will be checked on the top 5 lambs in each class at the time of the re-weigh before entering the scales. Lambs not passing the belly wool rule will be disqualified and the others will move up in placing.
Oxfords and Shropshire lambs must show with a wool cap. They cannot be slick headed.
All market lambs must be docked to an appropriate length in order to show. The only exception would be lambs showing in purebred classes of a breed that normally shows with tails (1.e. Katahdin, Finnsheep).
Bedding:
Carpeting will be allowed only if the following conditions are met: (a) No excess carpet may stick past the edge of the pen in either the pedestrian aisle or the exhibitor aisle; (b) all carpet edges must be taped down to eliminate the problem of tripping over loose edges; (c) All carpet must have either straw or shavings under the carpet in order to absorb moisture and reduce odor; (d) All carpet must be removed from the pen at the conclusion of the show and either taken home or placed in the dumpster next to the sheep barn on the south side.
Breed Classification:
All lambs entered in each breed (Hampshire, Shropshire, Southdown, Dorset, Oxford, Natural Colored, AOB and White Face Cross) will be evaluated in 1 line with each classifier viewing each of the lambs. Ohio State Fair classifiers decision is final. Regardless of the method followed, the judges’ decision will be final. Breed classifiers will review the purebred, white face, and natural colored classes only, and are to use the same standards for eligibility of purebred lambs as would be used for eligibility when registering purebred breeding lambs. Any disagreement with breed classifiers’ decisions can be voiced in an official protest as described in the General Rules at the end of this book. All market lambs must be washed and freshly shorn with a smooth appearance at the time of classification. Head wool is allowed.
White Faced Crossbreds and/or Black Faced Crossbreds are lambs showing evidence of both blackface and white face breeding and must show evidence of such throughout the face, legs and ears and will be open to lambs of either sex. This class will also contain any Dorset, Southdown, or AOB White Face Wool breeds that do not meet its breed criteria pending Ohio State Fair classification. Natural Colored lambs must have natural colored wool over 50% of their body, excluding head and leg hair and will be open to lambs of either sex. Black Faced Crossbreds are for grade or crossbred black face lambs that do not qualify for the purebred classes (Hampshires, Shropshires, Oxfords) OR Natural and Black Faced All Other Breed lambs not meeting their specific criteria pending classification. Classes will be open to lambs of either sex.
In 2026, Hair Sheep will show in AOB.
Weigh-In Rules: Market lambs will show by declared weight and the top five (5) in each class will be weighed back before the final class placing. Declared weight cards will be turned in at vet check and classification. Lambs must re-weigh within six (6) pounds over their declared weight. No lamb will be eliminated for weighing less than their declared weight. Minimum weight is 90 pounds. Lambs eliminated from the weigh-back will leave the show ring and the remaining lambs in the class will move up in the final recorded placing. No re-weighs will be permitted.
Awards: Breed Champions and Reserve Champions will receive a banner sponsored by: Banbury Hayhurst Co. and The Farm Printing.
OPEN MARKET LAMB SHOW ORDER:
Hampshire
Shropshire
Southdown
Polled Dorset (Horned Dorsets are in AOB)
Oxford
AOB (including Hair Sheep)
Whiteface Cross
Natural Colored Blackface
Blackface Cross
The following classes may be divided by weight: Hampshire, Southdown, White Face Cross, Natural Colored and Black Face Cross. Suffolk market lambs will show in AOB class due to low numbers over the past years. If a breed has thirty-five (35) or more lambs checked in, the class will be split. Thirty-four (34) or less will be shown as one class.
Dorset Advantage animals in the Market Lamb Show will be shown as Whiteface Cross
In the final drive, only the top two (2) lambs will be selected (Grand and Reserve Grand Champion).
Any of the listed breeds failing to exhibit a three-year rolling average total of 10 head in the market classes will be cause for evaluation of putting that breed within the All Other Breed Class of the Open Market Lamb Show.
1526: OPEN YOUTH JACKPOT EWE SHOW
Class 01 Jackpot Ewe Lamb
Lambs in the Jackpot Ewe Show are shown by weight, not breed.
Exhibitor may show a total of four (4) animals in the Jackpot Ewe Show.
Show Date: Tuesday, July 28, 6:00 p.m.
Entry Fee: $25.00/head Processing fees may apply
Exhibitors need to be 4-H/Jr. Show Age (8/9 and in 3rd grade to 18 as of January 1, 2026) to participate in the Jackpot Ewe Show.
Classes for Entry: Please note in 2024 the Yearling Ewe Class was eliminated.