2009 NATIONAL NATURAL COLORED SHOW
Eastern States Exposition (Big-E)
West Springfield, MA
2:00 pm – Sunday, September 27, 2009
Judge – Tor Sorenson
The Big-E is the sight selected for the 2009 Natural Colored Woolgrowers National Show. Located on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Massachusetts, the Big-E is the “State Fair” for the six New England states and draws over one million visitors over the seventeen days of the exposition. The sheep events are held in the Mallory complex with all sheep penned inside arranged around a central show ring. The first six days of the Big-E, the barn is filled with approximately 600 head of “meat” breed sheep, and the next six days are reserved for the “wool breeds”. Our show will be on the Sunday of that period. Arrival date for the show will be on September 24th and release is scheduled for the 30th. Early arrival on the evening of the 23rd and accommodation for those needing to get to the Keystone International show in Harrisburg, PA on the 30th can be arranged with the sheep superintendent, Debbie Hopkins in advance.
The National show will be divided into three divisions, Fine, Medium and Long/Course wool animals. The show is open to all Fine Wool Natural Colored Sheep (Grade 60+), Medium Wool Natural Colored Sheep (Grade 50-58) and Coarse/Long Wool Natural Colored Sheep (Grade 48 & below). Judge has the right to put sheep into proper division. Exhibitors must be a member of the Natural Colored Wool Growers Association, but registered Natural Colored Sheep from any association will be eligible for this show. Each exhibitor is limited to showing a total of 12 head in each division. Lamb break dates are: Senior lambs born September 1 to December 31, Junior lambs born January 1 and after. Champion and Reserve Champion Ram and Ewe rosettes will be awarded in each division. Premier Exhibitor and Premier Breeder Awards will be awarded in each division. The Best Fleece classes are open to any animal previously shown in this show, one entry per exhibitor for each class. These classes will not be included in the tally of points towards Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor. Premiums: The Champion Ram, Ewe and Best Fleeced sheep in each of the three divisions will be eligible to compete for Supreme Champion Ram, Ewe and Best Fleeced at the completion of all of the wool breed shows on Tuesday the 29th of September.
The premium book is under final review and will be complete soon. It can be found on the internet at www.thebige.com. Although not listed, any individual exhibited is eligible for a $17.00 minimum premium. In addition any large classes may be re-spilt due to large numbers and will receive the same premiums. It is up to the discretion of the superintendent to re-split classes. What has done in the past is if we have more than a third of the sheep in the class not going to be in the premium scale the class will be re-split. For example, if there are 18 yearling ewes but we only list twelve premiums, we will re-split the class into two classes. This is done only after sheep are checked in, and is not based on just entry numbers. Last year a total of two classes in the whole show were re-split. The purpose is to ensure that all sheep get something and are not left out of the money.
There is also a set of special classes in the fleece show for our Natural Colored Fleeces. The superintendent of that show is finalizing the premium schedule for that show as well as the rules for such. Again, check the web for the latest and greatest.
If you have never been to the Big-E, you will be amazed at the scale of this Exposition. This is certainly one of the best managed and cared for livestock facilities in the country. There is more to see than can been seen in just six days and with the National Basketball Hall of Fame just across the Connecticut river from the Exposition grounds, Old Sturbridge Village a 20 minute drive east, and Boston an hour away, there is plenty to do.
If you have reservations about the six day requirement, please speak with the sheep superintendent, as we are often able to find other exhibitors to provide help if your personal arrival schedule should require such.
Requirements for Hosting a NCWGA National Show
The National show is rotated between the three districts in an effort to keep the show moving around to different areas of the country. Each District will have the opportunity to host the National Show every third year. The show should include a sheep show with four wool divisions, a judged fleece show, a junior sheep show with two wool divisions, and the annual membership meeting.
It is important to realize all the work that is involved in handling a National Show. It is highly recommended that it be held in conjunction with an established fair, sheep or wool event. Limited funds are available for the use in purchasing ribbons, trophies or premiums. The Marker is available to help promote the location, date, and information on the show, meeting, and other important facts.
The judge for both the animal and fleece show should be a known judge of natural colored sheep from the NCWGA recommended list.
In the past, the annual membership meeting has been held in conjunction with the National Show and provisions for such a meeting are the responsibility of the host. This requires a place in which members can meet and discuss those issues that concern the association.
A display space promoting NCWGA must be set up at the event to include NCWGA promotional material, membership applications, NCWGA T-shirts, and other related items.
Exhibitors showing in NCWGA animal and fleece classes must be members in good standing with NCWGA and all animals being shown in NCWGA classes must have NCWGA certificates or be registered with another association that recognizes color in their breed. The animal must meet the NCWGA rules for color (sheep must exhibit natural colored wool in at least 35% of their fleece).
TO REQUEST A NATIONAL SHOW:
The request for the National Show should be made by the Regional Director of the area wishing to host the show. A plan of implementation with an identified chairperson will be presented to the board of directors in the year preceding the National Show in that District. If no requests are submitted from the appropriate District by the stated deadline, offers from alternative Districts will be considered. Suggestions for future National Shows shall be discussed at annual meetings.
The written request needs to include the following:
1. Location and date of show.
2. List the proposed schedule of events.
3. Confirmation of availability of meeting room.
4. Accommodations, airports, and attractions of the area.
5. Proposed advertising and promotion.
AFTER BOARD APPROVAL:
Request for funds should be sent by the Regional Director or show chairman to the treasurer. No other funds will be available other than the one time hosting payment.
At least six months prior to the show, all of the NCWGA membership should be notified of the date, place, and time of the show and membership meeting. This can be done through the Marker.
Please note: It is the responsibility of the District Director and or the show chairman to see that all National Show rules are followed and to get the show information to the editor of the Marker before printing deadlines.
FOLLOWING THE SHOW:
A written report of the show and meeting is required from the District Director or show chairman. The report should include:
1. Number of sheep entries and exhibitors participating in show.
2. Recap of the show.
3. Results of the animal, fleece and junior show.
4. A board member should attend the annual meeting and is responsible to make a roster of members attending and to take minutes. If a board member does not attend, the chairperson should assign a person to do this job and see that the report is sent to the secretary and the editor of the Marker.
All reports will be filed with the NCWGA secretary and the editor of the Marker. In addition, an expense report must be filled out and filed with the NCWGA treasurer (forms are provided).
2008 National Show Report is here!
2008 National Show Results are here!
Click on the links for printable PDF versions. A free version of Abode Acrobat Reader to download can be found here.
