Sheep Discovery - Judging - Hampshire Yearling Ewes

Hampshire Yearling Ewes Adrian Austin

I liked the Hamp Ewes 4-3-1-2. 

4’s quality and balance make her a stand out class winner. While this is the highest performing, most extended female- she goes beyond those basics by being the most collected in her structure. The thin necked, good chested female is attractive in her build. She’s the most comfortable ewe that’s the highest tying, correct in her spine and squarest from hock to ground. I admit, when 3 stops and collects herself she’s just as striking in terms of look and presence, unfortunately today she just comes as the smaller, lower performing option.

Even so, I opted to keep 3 over 1 in a closer middle pair of ewes. Aside from being sound and good looking, 3 comparatively offers more maternal mass and power. She’s the rounder ribbed, stouter hipped ewe that’s additional leg wool only highlights a stouter rear leg. I realize, 1 fits the mold of her contemporaries from a standpoint of structure and build. Nonetheless, this is the lightest dimensioned ewe of the class that’s the flattest ribbed and narrowest made.

Yet, 1’s female quality and balance make it an immediate decision to sort her over 2. The longer, thinner necked ewe ties higher to the top of her shoulder and is more correct in her angles. She’s easily more collected on the move. Now sure, 2 is a performance driven, growthy female that has some muscle- but what relevance does that hold when the down headed, straight shouldered, round hipped ewe is by far the poorest balanced.

Thank You