Black Sheep Gathering

Just as soon as school got out for the summer Valerie spent many days at "sheep camp" preparing to show sheep at the annual Black Sheep Gathering. We caravanned from Chico to Eugene following two sheep trailers starting at 6:30am and arriving about 2:30pm. There were a few stops for coffee. Sheep people are apparently addicts.

As soon as we unpacked the sheep and supplies at the Lane County Fairgrounds a familiar low pitched BAA-AH called out to me, Forbes!!





Bambi really had no interest in anything but stuffing her face. She poked her head out of the hay pan just long enough for me to snap this photo. Whatever, Bambi.


Valerie, Madelyn & Briar took a little rest back at our deluxe trailer. Party headquarters for the teen girls. Partying consisted of Truth or Dare, listening to music, drop spindling, wet felting balls of soap and smuggling any sweets they could find. We shared the trailer with the barn manager so no one was ever late for those early morning barn chores.


I gave them all topsy tails and sent them out to practice showmanship skills with their fearless leaders, Brianna & Annie.


Here's Valerie with Forbes on the lawn taking direction. The girls practiced every day.


Caitlin, Hailey, Madelyn, Valerie & Sarah maintain control without leads.


Practicing in the ring after hours without leads or halters. Forbes is such a good boy.


Time for felting and crafts and a pot luck back at the trailer area.


In addition to a sheep show, there is also a fiber arts show. Valerie took a blue ribbon for her needle felted doll.


On Saturday night Briar, Madelyn, Ashlyn & Valerie got ready to participate in the Spinners Lead. The contestants wear something hand spun and crafted while walking the actual animal or type of animal from which the wool came. Here Valerie sports the cap she knitted with natural colored wool from Shetland sheep.


Here you see Valerie exhibiting her cap as she leads Bambi through the ring. People lead many types of animals ranging from sheep to angora goats to carrying a bunny.


On our last day I had the job of checking people into the ring and handing out ribbons at judging. I'm checking an ear tag on the lamb that Madelyn is showing. Here Valerie has Forbes. He took a 3rd place.


Here's Valerie showing Bambi, also got 3rd place.


We had a full on fiber judge. This guy pulls wool from the sheep and examines it as well as the structure of the animal. But he is really into the wool. Look at his sheep tie. Very serious guy. He actually brought a goat judge in for a second opinion once. That's some third place wool in his left hand!!


In closing, I'd like to thank Scott and Dawn for their contribution to our trip. This made the pot luck that much more enjoyable for me and two of my Mad Housewife friends!


And, always learn something:

Location:Eugene, OR