New Youth Awards in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Southdown Association initiated two new youth awards in 2009.  The “Top Gun” embroidered sheep blanket award was for the junior Southdown exhibitor scoring the most points in the youth sweepstakes events at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival September 13.  Jenna Langer, DeForest, placed first with Casey Lobdell, Darlington, finishing second.  Each had won their respective age divisions based on combined results from events including skillathon, judging contest, showmanship, breeding sheep, market lambs and lead class.

A junior Southdown “premier exhibitor” award, also an embroidered sheep blanket, was given for the first time at the Wisconsin State Fair in August for the junior earning the most points based on points determined by the placing of their sheep in the junior breeding show.   The winner was Courtney Lobdell, Darlington, with Casey Lobdell, John Jones, Kelsi Smerchek and Clifton McClintock rounding out the top five in that order.