Individual sheep are judged against the Association’s published breed standards by a panel of judges comprised of two or three experts.

Sheep are let loose individually in a confined area for the judges to observe. The sheep are not led or “shown” by their owner.

The judges’ decisions are by consensus.

Each sheep is awarded either a Blue Card (excellent), Red Card (good), Yellow Card (acceptable) or White Card (unacceptable) signifying the degree to which that animal conforms to the breed standard.

Card-grading events help promote the breed to both the general public and other sheep breeders.

These events create a backdrop for informing the public about the importance of rare breeds’ conservation.

Bringing sheep to Rhinebeck is an excellent opportunity to promote your flock and their fleeces.

In addition to the LL card-grading event, you may also enter and show your sheep in the Festival’s long wool white or colored shows on Sunday. Premiums are awarded in these shows.

As soon as you decide to bring sheep to Rhinebeck, but no later than September 1, 2009, inform Richard Larson by email: oldgjerpenfarm@yahoo.com

For each sheep, he will need to know: a) registration number; b) DOB; c) sex, and d) white or colored.

Once you have signed up to bring sheep, you will receive additional ongoing communication from Richard.

If you are planning to enter the Festival’s longwool shows, a separate entry will need to be sent to Chuck Simmons prior to the end of September. The Festival’s sheep shows are on Sunday, October 18^th. Information for this show is at: www.sheepandwool.com

All sheep must have a scrapie tag. If you do not already have scrapie tags for your farm you need to contact your extension office for information / assistance. It may take a month or two to get your tags – so don’t wait!

All sheep coming to the Festival must have inter-state health certificates. You get this from your local vet. Scrapie tags are required for health certification.

Water and bedding (straw) are provided by the Festival. You must bring your own hay and feed.

You must check your sheep in at the Festival on Friday, October 16^th.

A week to ten days prior to the Festival bring your sheep to a confined area. This is a good time to check their condition. It is recommended that you not bring under-conditioned (1) or over-conditioned (5) sheep to the Festival.

If your sheep have been on pasture and you begin feeding them hay at this time their stool will be pellets and less messy in the pens.

If they have not been getting grain do not start now. It could cause them to go off their feed or get loose stools.

We add apple cider vinegar to their water at this time to mask the taste of the water. Bring the vinegar (or whatever you use) to the Festival. By masking the Festival water’s taste they will readily drink the local (usually chlorinated) water and not become dehydrated.

Sometimes chlorinated water can cause diarrhea. Suggest you bring “Ensure” or Pep to Bismo along just in case.

While LLs are exhibited naturally, you want your animals to be clean. Remember they represent your flock. Dirty (manure tags, mud, vegetable matter in fleeces, etc.) sheep do not reflect well on either your farm or the breed.

Trim hoofs week to ten days prior to departure. Do not bring sheep that limp or otherwise can’t walk normally. Again, this reflects poorly on you and the breed.

If your sheep are not used to being handled or are jumpy, this is a good time to get them used to people.

If you have a sheep that is coughing or otherwise sick, please leave it home! You will not be permitted to pen sick sheep at the Festival.

Check in with the Richard or Donna when you first arrive.

Number and location of your pens will be pre-assigned and marked. Do not put your sheep in pens that are not designated for you.

When shaking out the straw, be respectful of the sheep in adjoining pens.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your sheep have water at all times and are fed regularly.

Remember – you and your sheep are in the public’s eye. Keep your sheep and pens neat and clean.

The Second National Card-Grading Event will be on Saturday, October 17^th.

The NY Festival is a great event – come prepared to meet some wonderful people and enjoy fall in New York!