PWH at the Priddis & Millarville Fair

Last Saturday we travelled to our 4th Priddis & Millarville Fair with 20 sheep for the sheep show. We had entries in all section of the showing including Purebred, Grade, Market Lamb, Junior and Coloured Sheep which was why we had so many going. The day before was spent washing and trimming with a break in the afternoon to deliver our photography and art entries.
The number of entries was definitely up this year and hopefully next year the show will be just as big. It was a very good day for our family with success in many classes including the Champion Purebred Ewe and Ram. Because I won with these animals I was also chosen as the Award of Excellence winner  for the 12-18 yr. old category.

Tank aka Prairie Winds 1Y was the Champion Purebred Ewe, she also won this award last year as a ewe lamb.

My ram lamb Prairie Winds 21Z was the Champion Purebred Ram.

In the Grade section we had the 1st place Ewe Lamb and Ewe 2yrs. or Over and in the Coloured Sheep  section we had 1st place in the Coloured Sheep class and 1st place in the Coloured Ewe with Lambs class. For a full list of placings go to the Show News tab.

The fair is a lot of fun to attend and we will be back next year. The show is very relaxed and it is nice to see everyone have fun showing. Thank-you to all the volunteers and sponsors for putting on a great show and fair!

Why do sheep wear blankets?

Q: Why do sheep wear blankets?

A: Blankets or spandex tubes are worn by sheep that have been groomed for show to keep them clean until they go into the ring. A lot of work can go into washing and trimming an animal to make it look its best and usually this prep happens awhile before show time. This gap of time between grooming and showing gives your animals the opportunity to really get dirty, it is amazing how you can put a clean blanket on your lamb one night and come back the next morning to find it not looking so clean anymore. Blankets definitely save time the morning of the show because they eliminate most of the need to spot wash and dust off any shavings/hay.

Fluff aka Prairie Winds 1X in her blanket won at the Provincial Sheep Show in 2011.

This is one of the most common questions people have when we have our sheep on display before a show. Most think their purpose is too keep the sheep warm, but even though some of the lambs have been slick shorn this is not the case. The shows we usually attend are during the summer so it is nice and warm and during the winter their wool provides enough insulation that blankets are not needed like they might be for horses. 

We order our blankets from the CCWG in Lethbridge where they come in three sizes. A size one fits smaller lambs with full fleece or a bit larger lambs that are slick shorn. Most of our market lambs end up wearing ones if they are under 120 lbs. if they are a bigger framed lamb then they wear a size two. Smaller ewes also wear twos and the rest of the ewes and rams wear threes. Fluff is pictured here wearing a size three.

Lamb tubes are also another option, they are made from spandex and come in a variety of different colors and patterns. This website really has a great selection of tubes and even colored blankets: Show Stopper Equipment .

Sheep Snapshot Sunday: Vermillion Fair

My ewes at the Vermillion Fair last week.

Stampede Success

Once again I entered art in the Creative Arts & Crafts competition at the Calgary Stampede. We went in in Sneek-a-Peek night to go see how my two drawings did. This year was the first year I had to enter in the Open category because I am now to old to enter in the Junior division so I wasn't expecting to do as well as I did. 
Here are the photos I used as a reference and the artwork I entered.

A close-up picture of my cow Hunny.

My ink drawing that won second place in its class. 

A picture of one of my purebred hampshire rams, Prairie Winds 4X.

My pencil sketch that won first place in its class.

The Western Oasis is one of my favorite places to visit during Stampede, its so quiet and there is so much beautiful artwork on display. I will definitely continue to enter and can't wait for next year's show!

PWH at the Vermillion Fair

This past Wednesday Prairie Winds Hampshires travelled to the Vermillion Fair for their sheep show. We arrived late Wednesday night to the fair grounds and got the animals settled in the sheep barn. 
Thursday afternoon the show started with the Trimming and Lamb Judging components of the Junior Show. I participated and won 1st in the Senior division of both Trimming and Judging. The Open Show was later in the afternoon and we placed at the top of both the ewe and ewe lamb classes. 
The Junior Show's conformation classes were Friday afternoon and I did very well with my animals. All the ewes I brought to show were part of my purebred flock and I was proud to showcase the Hampshire breed.

Reserve Champion Ewe Lamb

Reserve Champion Ewe

 My Reserve Champion Flock and the Grand Champion Flock on the right.

I had an awesome time in Vermillion and will definitely be back next year to show again and enjoy the fair. Thank-you to everyone involved with the Fair and the Sheep Show for your hospitality and putting on a great event!

Summer Synergy 2012

Since Tuesday we have been in Olds for the 2nd Annual Provincial Sheep Show and Summer Synergy. This year I am just a lucky spectator and happy to not have to be working in the heat. Yesterday the sheep participants competed in sheep judging, marketing and trimming components of the show. They also took part in a felting workshop and made a craft. Today was the breeding project show and the members of the Standard Sheep Club did very well. Tomorrow the market lamb,showmanship and costume classes will take place and the Synergy competitors will find out if they have won a scholarship.

4-H on Parade 2012 Sheep Show Schedule

This weekend we will be packing up and heading into Calgary for 4-H on Parade, the annual regional super-sized achievement day for 4-H members of many clubs with a wide range of projects. My brother will be showing his ewe lamb, yearling ewe and her lamb and showing and selling a pen of three market lambs this year. On Thursday night we will take in the lambs and get the stall area decorated, but the actual competitions don't start until Friday.
The sheep stalls and sheep show ring will be located in the Producers Tent which usually is home to Ag-tivity in the City during Stampede time. The market lamb sale will take place next door in the Agriculture Building's Pavillion.


Here is the schedule of events for the Sheep Show:


Friday June 1
2:00-3:00 Lamb Trimming Competition
3:30-4:30 Lamb Judging Competition
Also most of the members will be grooming their sheep in preparation for the show so if you want to see a lamb getting a bath this is the day to come!
Saturday June 2
9:00-10:00 Market Lamb Classes
10:15-11:45 Pen of Three Classes
1:15-3:00 Breeding Ewe Classes (ie. Ewe Lamb, Yearling Ewe, Mature Ewe and Breeding Flock)
3:30-4:30 Showmanship Classes (ie. Junior, Intermediate, Senior)
Sunday June 3
11:00 Market Lamb Sales followed by sale of the Charity Lamb


A complete schedule of events can be found at http://ag.calgarystampede.com/events/509-4-h-on-parade.html#schedule.


I encourage everyone to come down to Stampede Park to see this event especially on Saturday because this is the day when most of the shows involving animals happen (sheep, beef, dairy, heavy and light horse) and the lifeskills projects will also be on display. 4-H on Parade is great for those who are interested in learning about agriculture but missed out on Aggie Days or don't enjoy how busy the grounds can get during Stampede. If you do stop by make sure to come over to the smaller white Producers Tent to see/pet the sheep and ask the members questions about their projects.