NRI 4-H Sheep Department

Superintendent: Mikayla Tallion

Assistant Superintendent: N/A

Email: Mikayla@stanleytree.com

Phone: N/A

Entry Information

Exhibitors must be currently enrolled Rhode Island 4-H members or otherwise eligible participants under RI 4-H.
Entry fee: $1.00 per entry. Entry fees must be paid at the time of entry.
Entry deadline: Online entries are due no later than July 1.
Enter Here!
Submit your entry fee here (Venmo)

Rules & Regulations

All animals shown at fairs, shows, or exhibitions must be in proper physical condition and are subject to examination by federal or state animal-health officials before unloading and during exhibition for visual signs of infectious or contagious disease or other conditions that would make the animal unfit for exhibition. Animals showing signs of illness may be refused entry. Official Rhode Island regulations control if there is any conflict with fair guidance.
All sheep must be officially identified in accordance with USDA scrapie requirements and current Rhode Island sheep and goat identification rules. Sheep imported into Rhode Island must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection unless a specific fair/show exemption applies through event management, and all animals imported for fair, show, or exhibition must be officially identified. Out-of-state sheep must comply with all Rhode Island DEM import and exhibition requirements. Sheep affected with scrapie or originating from a flock quarantined or epidemiologically linked to scrapie, may not be imported into Rhode Island. Sheep imported for fair, show, or exhibition may only be in Rhode Island for less than 10 consecutive days under the exhibition rule.
Sheep three months of age or older imported into Rhode Island for exhibition, show, competition, or public display must have proof of current rabies vaccination.
Ownership or management deadline for sheep is July 1. Delegates may show one additional sheep purchased between July 1 and July 31 only if they also show at least one regular 4-H project sheep, bring proof of purchase, ownership, and health papers upon arrival, remain limited to one animal per class per breed, and do not use that additional animal in fitting and showmanship.
Fitting and showmanship are judged on the appearance of the sheep, including blocking, fitting, cleanliness, and condition; the exhibitor’s handling of the sheep in the ring; and the exhibitor’s attitude, appearance, sportsmanship, and knowledge of the project. Each exhibitor must show his or her own project sheep alone in single classes and must remain at the head of the animal. Another 4-H’er may help only if the animal is very large, becomes unruly, or the exhibitor has a disability. Halters are optional but strongly suggested for younger or less experienced exhibitors.
A 4-H member may exhibit sheep of any recognized breed or crossbred sheep. Separate classes are provided for registered and unregistered animals. Exhibitors are limited to one animal per class. Previous trophy winners compete again.
Show clothes are solid-colored black, khaki, tan, green, or white pants with a white shirt or blouse and belt. All shirts must be tucked in. No tank tops or hats are allowed in the show ring.

Sheep Classes

Sheep Breed Classes

Yearling Rams – Born 8/31 two years ago to 9/1 last year
Senior Ram Lambs – Born 9/1 to 12/31 last year
Intermediate Ram Lambs – Born 1/1 to 2/15 this year
Junior Ram Lambs – Born after 2/16 this year
Yearling Ewes – Born 8/31 two years ago to 9/1 last year
Senior Ewe Lambs – Born 9/1 to 12/31 last year
Intermediate Ewe Lambs – Born 1/1 to 2/15 this year
Junior Ewe Lambs – Born after 2/16 this year
Aged Ewes – Born before 9/1 two years ago; may only be shown if it is the youth’s only sheep to show
Pair of Lambs – 1 ram + 1 ewe lamb, same breed, previously shown
Exhibitor’s Flock – 1 ram + 2 ewes, same breed, previously shown
Best Fleeced Animal – 1 wool breed sheep any age, previously shown with enough fleece to judge
Market Lambs – Wether lambs or ewe lambs only. Lamb must be sheared within 14 days of the show. Entries in this class cannot enter individual classes except fitting and showmanship. No rams accepted. Class may be divided by weight.
Registered Ewe, Any Age, Bred & Owned by Exhibitor – Must have been shown in one of the ewe classes above and may not be a market lamb entry.

Showmanship

Showmanship is required for 4-H members entered in a sheep show. Age divisions are based on exhibitor age as of January 1. A novice class may also be offered for first-year exhibitors, and the superintendent may split or add classes when appropriate. For NRI, showmanship divisions are Cloverbud (ages 5–7), Junior (ages 8–11), Intermediate (ages 12–14), and Senior (ages 15–18). A separate Lead Line class will also be offered at NRI.

Notes

Additional reminders, check-in notes, and department updates will be posted here.