How to Show Sheep- Liz Graves

Showing sheep (yes it's a real thing) is a Kentucky 4-H event where you (the farmer) raise 10-15 sheep, and shows them in two categories to a judge. The 1st is Showmanship- where the judges examine your ability to control a lamb or sheep. The 2nd (which doesn't have a specific name, to my knowledge) is where the judges judge the conformation (how much leg muscles vs. fat) of your lamb. After reading this how-to, you will be a part of an elite squad in the state of Kentucky that knows how to handle a lamb.
Misconceptions: -There is no dressing up of the sheep. This is not a pageant. This is serious stuff.
                           - You do not dress up either. You wear nice farm clothes (blue jeans, button-down shirt, clean, polished cowboy boots).

We aren't going to go over the actual raising of the sheep. That's a different lesson for a different day. Google it if you're curious. It's horrifying.

1. Shave all the wool off your lamb. I'm really sorry about this. The lamb will no longer look cute and fluffy, but it's so the judge can examine it better.
2. Wash the lamb. Make sure not to get soap in its eyes.
3. Place your right middle finger behind the right ear of your lamb, and your right thumb behind its left ear. Place your left hand firmly, but not tightly, under the chin of your lamb. Don't force your lamb's mouth shut, but your left hand should be in a position so the lamb's mouth remains closed, and its nose is parallel to the ceiling. 
4. Walk the lamb forward. To do this, gently pull the lamb's head forward.
-If the lamb refuses to move make sure your hands are in the correct position.
-If it still refuses to move you have to press what we in the farmers' world like to call the "go button." The go button is about an inch above the butt of the lamb. Push the "go button" with your right hand and the lamb will kind-of leap forward. Make sure your right hand is still firmly under the lamb's chin to keep it from going too far.
5. Lead the lamb around the showing ring.
6. When the judge asks you to stop the lamb, stop pulling on the lamb's head, and it should stand still. Turn your body to stand in front of the sheep, and place your left thigh on the lamb's chest (pretty sure it's technically called the brisket if you want to sound smart). Position the lamb's front and back legs so it looks like this: http://www.onlinesheepshow.com/images/classes/market/111-120/placed/370.jpg (I have no idea how to explain that I'm sorry!).
7. When the judge comes to you, they will feel the lamb's muscles and ask you questions about how your bred your lamb, what you feed it, what kind of supplements you give it, etc. If you don't know the answer to any of these questions simply say, "I'm not sure but I can find out," and find the judge after the show and let them know.
8. Lead your sheep out of the ring, take the leap rope off, and give it some water.
9. Give yourself a pat on the back! You are officially a redneck!

For those of you that still don't believe me that this is a real thing, I direct you to this video that does a much better job of explaining what I just did: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF5lmSmbtKc