Dear Parent: If you are reading this, it is because you are considering or have decided to encourage you child to participate in a sheep showing project. This is not just another book about teaching children how to capture blue ribbons. Only a few will win a blue ribbon, and some of them will miss the true prize - development of life's worthwhile values. This book was written mainly to teach children how to choose and care for show sheep. As a teaching tool, showing sheep can help develop self-confidence, principles, and standards that are needed to become worthwhile adults. We sometimes place too much emphasis on winning first place and miss a golden opportunity to reinforce worthwhile values. Another definition of winning is "achievement". Even the beginner or last-placed child in the show ring is a winner when winning is defined as achievement. Winning is about success in advancing from a beginning point. Parents should encourage achievement by putting more emphasis on the positive benefits of showing sheep and less on winning a blue ribbon. Keep in mind that before a child can run it must first learn to sit up, then crawl, and finally walk. A beginner who knows nothing about raising and showing sheep could easily be considered a winner even if the animal placed last, simply because he/she put forth an effort. Occasionally we forget that the purpose behind youth shows is to afford children the opportunity to learn more than just winning a blue ribbon. If emphasis is placed on some of the other rewards of showing, it can be a vehicle for stressing a child's self worth and becomes a means of molding the child into a worthwhile adult. Showing sheep usually turns into a family activity. It is a very rewarding experience for you child and the family if it is approached correctly. It can offer an opportunity to pass on character-building values to your child. Children learn to work with other people toward a common goal and become more self-assured, responsible, independent, confident, and courteous. They are more at ease around strangers and adults. Your child will expand his or her knowledge of livestock by meeting and working with all age groups of people involved in the sheep industry. A sheep project should be considered a fun and fellowship opportunity for you child. Financial remuneration should not be the main goal of the parent or the child, anymore than sending a child to camp would result in financial gain. Providing our children with good, sound animals is essential. We shouldn't purchase sheep based strictly on price. Children who are provided with expensive animals sometimes assume that this guarantees them a blue ribbon. They need to understand their obligation and the part they must play in creating a winner. If you child is a beginner in caring for and showing sheep, it isn't necessary to purchase the best, most expensive animal around. Beginners lack the knowledge to properly feed, groom and show their sheep. This will come with experience. More expensive animals can be selected in the future as the child's skills develop. However, a beginner's animal should be good enough in quality to compete. We need to encourage the child to gain experience, learn sportsmanship and to continue year after year. Children who place higher in a class each year are encouraged to try harder to improve their skills. It gives them a goal to strive for. |
This is an excerpt from SHOWING SHEEP A Selecting, Raising, Fitting & Showing Guide by Laura Lawson |
Dear Parent: If you are reading this, it is because you are considering or have decided to encourage you child to participate in a sheep showing project. This is not just another book about teaching children how to capture blue ribbons. Only a few will win a blue ribbon, and some of them will miss the true prize - development of life's worthwhile values. This book was written mainly to teach children how to choose and care for show sheep. As a teaching tool, showing sheep can help develop self-confidence, principles, and standards that are needed to become worthwhile adults. We sometimes place too much emphasis on winning first place and miss a golden opportunity to reinforce worthwhile values. Another definition of winning is "achievement". Even the beginner or last-placed child in the show ring is a winner when winning is defined as achievement. Winning is about success in advancing from a beginning point. Parents should encourage achievement by putting more emphasis on the positive benefits of showing sheep and less on winning a blue ribbon. Keep in mind that before a child can run it must first learn to sit up, then crawl, and finally walk. A beginner who knows nothing about raising and showing sheep could easily be considered a winner even if the animal placed last, simply because he/she put forth an effort. Occasionally we forget that the purpose behind youth shows is to afford children the opportunity to learn more than just winning a blue ribbon. If emphasis is placed on some of the other rewards of showing, it can be a vehicle for stressing a child's self worth and becomes a means of molding the child into a worthwhile adult. Showing sheep usually turns into a family activity. It is a very rewarding experience for you child and the family if it is approached correctly. It can offer an opportunity to pass on character-building values to your child. Children learn to work with other people toward a common goal and become more self-assured, responsible, independent, confident, and courteous. They are more at ease around strangers and adults. Your child will expand his or her knowledge of livestock by meeting and working with all age groups of people involved in the sheep industry. A sheep project should be considered a fun and fellowship opportunity for you child. Financial remuneration should not be the main goal of the parent or the child, anymore than sending a child to camp would result in financial gain. Providing our children with good, sound animals is essential. We shouldn't purchase sheep based strictly on price. Children who are provided with expensive animals sometimes assume that this guarantees them a blue ribbon. They need to understand their obligation and the part they must play in creating a winner. If you child is a beginner in caring for and showing sheep, it isn't necessary to purchase the best, most expensive animal around. Beginners lack the knowledge to properly feed, groom and show their sheep. This will come with experience. More expensive animals can be selected in the future as the child's skills develop. However, a beginner's animal should be good enough in quality to compete. We need to encourage the child to gain experience, learn sportsmanship and to continue year after year. Children who place higher in a class each year are encouraged to try harder to improve their skills. It gives them a goal to strive for. |
We have 3 copies to share with the club, but if you are interested purchasing your own, you can call LDF Publications which has all the Sheep Care Books by Laura Lawson. Call toll free 1-800-258-6992. Showing Sheep cost $12.95 |
This page was last updated on: January 7, 2005
To the Parents |
The Lambinators 4-H Club of Scioto County, Ohio |
