The Oregon sheep industry was well represented at the 2011 North American International Livestock Exposition held in Louisville, Kentucky. This annual event attracts the elite livestock exhibitors from around the nation to compete in many competitions. Eight individuals from Oregon traveled back this fall to compete in a myriad of junior events garnering a number of quality placings in classes that typically have a very high number of participants. Izzy Wade from Silverton, Oregon earned a number of first place finishes including first in the Ladies Lead Class and sheep showmanship, as well as exhibiting the Reserve Champion Junior Fitted Hampshire Ewe of the show. Also exhibiting in the Ladies Lead, showmanship and Junior Hampshire Division were sisters Katie and Ellie Hanson from Woodburn, Oregon. The duo teamed up take second place in a number of the classes.
Emma Joy Hawkins from Shedd, Oregon garnered a number of top rankings while exhibiting her Shropshire sheep in the junior show. Many of her lambs that were part of the 2011 Oregon State Fair Award winning Young Flock placed near the top of their classes. Both Alissa Boatman-Green of Prineville, Oregon and Jessica Juvinal of Central Point, Oregon exhibited a number of market lambs who placed near the top of their classes in a show that hit record numbers of over 1700 market lambs. In addition Alissa placed third overall in her age division for showmanship. Other exhibitors were Johanna Dejoria of Newberg, Oregon who was delighted to receive the nod from the judge for the Reserve Champion Junior Fitted Horned Dorset Ewe and Ashley Harelson from Aurora, Oregon who served as the National Southdown Ambassador helping to organize the Junior Southdown Show.
Oregon Sheep Connection 