Ove the years, the competitions has offered many youngsters their first opportunity to enter the showing, with some returning to the competition year-on-year as their enthusiasm has grown. RBST Senior Conservation Officer Tom Blunt, who co-ordinates the competition, says: “We hold qualifying rounds all around the country to give as many youngsters as possible the chance to take part. It’s a great opportunity to get a feel for showing and to learn some valuable tips and for those who don’t have their own sheep to show, at both qualifying shows and the final, we can arrange for them to borrow sheep.”

The handler not the sheep 

Although in the Young Shepherd classes the judge isn’t looking at the sheep for its breed characteristics or conformation, competitors should expect to experience the same process that would be seen in a breed class. This includes the judge checking teeth, assessing the wool and handling the animal, looking to see how the handler presents their animal and how they control them during this process. And it is important to remember that, although the judge is not looking at the quality of the sheep, he or she will expect it to be clean and well presented.

When speaking to individual competitors, the judge will usually ask a series of questions to assess their knowledge and would usually ask the competitor to explain what breed they are showing and give some details about the individual sheep. In some cases more technical questions relating to things like ear tagging and feed may be asked. Some judges also like to see how competitors cope with some additional practical tasks, such as tying and untying sheep, replacing the halter on a horned sheep or even getting competitors to swap sheep.

Top Tips for showing

In Young Shepherds, as in all showing classes, there are certain things that a competitor needs to know and it is important to be well prepared – there’s nothing worse than going into a competition ring and being unsure of what to do. Visiting shows and finding out what is involved in the showing classes is an essential first step in the learning process.

Some of the things you should know are:

- When it comes to your turn in front of the judge, you will be expected to walk the sheep out and back in a straight line to show efficient gait and correct alignment of limbs. Remember, this is the only time you can guarantee having the judge’s undivided attention, so you need to make the most of it. The handler needs to walk alongside the left shoulder of the sheep, not falling behind or moving ahead of its movement. When you turn round to walk back towards the judge, turn the sheep away from you so that you are on the outside and are not masking it from the judge’s view with your own body. And as you turn, just pause for a few seconds so that the judge can see the sheep broadside on.

- The handler will be expected to have some knowledge of the sheep they are showing and demonstrate the ability to control it whilst standing in line. Pay attention to both the judge and the sheep.

- When you are in a line up, comparisons are being made between you and the other competitors. The animal must present itself favourably by standing square: pairs of feet together, back legs slightly back, allowing the spine to be straight, the head slightly raised.

- It’s acceptable to use small treats to keep your animal’s attention – but don’t overdo it.

Look the part

As well as ensuring the sheep looks the part, it is important that competitors look to their own appearance as well. Number one requirement is to wear a clean white coat, buttoned up correctly. Footwear is also important; clean, sturdy boots or shoes are best, but in very muddy conditions, wellies are just about permissible. Many young handlers wear a cap, which looks good but is not vital.

Where to learn

Visiting shows and finding out what is involved in the showing classes is an essential first step in the learning process. Watch some classes and visit the animal lines where people are always happy to talk about their livestock. And don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Another excellent opportunity, for those who are able to get there, is the two-day training and showing event held by the RBST Cumbria Support Group at the Westmoreland Showground during Countryfest. This combines show preparation and etiquette sessions and showing classes with young handler and breed competitions. Countryfest 2024 takes place on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June.

Some judges thoughts

I very much enjoy judging young handlers classes and try hard to give the youngsters a good experience but at the same time making sure they learn something too (I guess that’s the teacher in me coming out!).

So, I expect the young handlers in front of me to be correctly turned out and equally importantly, with appropriate footwear (I sent a young lady to the bottom of the line many years ago when she entered the ring in flip-flops!)

I expect the young handlers to be able to tell me about their animals, but it is important it is a conversation and not a pre-learnt monologue! If they are knowledgeable, then I probe with further questions and sometimes I am quite honestly amazed by the depth of real knowledge that some of the youngsters have. It is heart-warming to know that the next generation of livestock keepers is coming though the ranks.

My advice to all our young handlers is to ‘keep one eye on the judge, and one eye on your animal’

Gail Sprake 

Judging the Young Shepherd finals was an extremely educational day for me; the competitors were fantastic. One major thing for me is the turnout of the handler themselves, something that can very often be overlooked in showing, but to me adds to the overall picture. Another would be the knowledge of the sheep they are showing, from the individual to the breed’s characteristics. 

Laura Clark

When judging a junior shepherd competition, I always find it so much more challenging than judging a conventional class where I’m simply assessing the relative merits of the animals in front of me. There are so many skilled junior shepherds that you end up being very strict to determine the places. Judging the junior shepherd requires an appraisal of the handler alongside their skill in handling the animal, their ring-craft and knowledge of their breed. More recently, I’ve noticed a trend where many shepherds also evidence their knowledge of sheep husbandry in general.

My top three do’s and don’ts:

Do

• Keep your eye on the judge and don’t be chatting to fellow competitors whilst you’re in the ring.

• Know how to put on/remove a halter or head collar.

• Show your animal to its best - keep it standing right.

Don’t

• Loop the end of the halter round your other hand.

• Stand on the wrong side of your animal.

• Give up or feel defeated if the animal is messing around; take this as an opportunity to demonstrate your handling skills.

Ed Lambert

RBST YOUNG SHEPHERDS 2024

Details of the 2024 RBST Young Shepherds Competition can be found here

Photograph : 2023 Young Shepherd Winner, Thomas Nash, Senior & Overall Champion