Showing Guidelines

For Judges

The Manx Loaghtan is one of the larger, northern, short tailed, primitive sheep breeds, mature ewes weighting around 40kgs and rams 55kgs. They are fine boned, agile sheep.

Ewes and rams can have two, four or six horns, which should not grow into the face or impede grazing. Ewes can be naturally polled.

The face should be evenly brown with no lighter fibres around the eyes to give a Moorit “spectacles” look. The forehead, cheeks and legs should be clean of wool. The tail end should be above the hocks, not docked and not woolly.

Four and six horned animals are at risk of split eyelids. The eyelids should be specifically checked to exclude any evidence of splitting.

The wool can be of long or short staple, but should be evenly brown, bleaching to a mouse brown towards the end of the fibres, without white fibres or excessive kemp.

The objective of this brief guidance on showing Manx Loaghtan sheep is to encourage the maintenance of the breed, as a primitive, hardy animal with a range of genetic characteristics, that does not need embellishment to promote it’s qualities.

Manx Loaghtan are fine boned, agile, primitive sheep.

On the UK mainland, they should be shown halter trained.

On both the UK mainland and Isle of Man, they should be shown in a clean but NATURAL, UNTRIMMED fleece. Any sheep found excessively washed or brushed, coloured or tinted, backed down, clipped or trimmed with be considered FAKED.

Horns may be lightly oiled a day or two before a show. The judge should be able to examine the animal without transference of the oil to the judge’s hands or clothing. Horns ideally should be untrimmed, as an animal with trimmed horns would not be a natural survivor, without the intervention of their keeper.

Four or six horned animals with any degree of split eye lid should not be shown.

Senior ewes, with lambs at foot, may be accompanied by their lambs, if the lambs are haltered and in the care of a handler, separate from the ewe’s handler.

The handler should be dressed in a clean, white coat with the sheep class entry number clearly displayed.

The judge’s decision, on the day, should be respected and accepted without challenge.

For Exhibitors

Judges approved by MLSBG

(alphabetic order)

Mrs Lyn Arrowsmith, 2 Raskelf Farm Cottages, Raskelf Farm, York, North Yorkshire, YO61 3LG. Tel: 01347 824 767

Ms. Cathy Cassie*, Tel: 077344 78468

Mr. Jeff Clarke, Woodbine Farm, Grandborough Fields, Rugby, CV23 8BA. Tel: 01788 521469.

Miss Joanne Corrigan*, Tel: 07850 812305, e-mail: [email protected]

Miss Jayne Drinkwater*, 59 Spring Lane, Bassingbourn, ROYSTON, Cambs, SG8 5HT. Tel: 01763 245255

Mr William Hammond, The Old School House, Astwood Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AU. Tel 01234 750427

Mr Barry Lewis*, Lodge Cottage, Whilton Locks, Daventry, Northants, NN11 2NH. Tel: 01327 842016

Mrs Caroline Lewis, Lodge Cottage, Whilton Locks, Daventry, Northants, NN11 2NH. Tel: 01327 842016

Mrs. Carole Muddiman*, 2, Biddlesden, Brackley, Northants, NN3 5TR. Tel: 01280 850677

Mr Mark Platts, Lutra Holt, Penninghome, Newton Stewart, Wigtonwshire, DG8 6RD. Tel: 01539 560 779

Mrs Sue Taylor*, Orchard House, Main Street, Peatling Parva, Leicestershire, LE17 5QB. Tel: 01162 478470 Mrs.

Beryl Thompson, New Maybeck Farm, Sneaton, Whitby, North Yorkshire, Y022 5JE. Tel: 01947 810537

Mr. Jason Whybrow, 296 Southill Road, Cardington, Bedford, MK44 3SZ. Tel: 01234 838193

Mr Robert Wood, 4 Burns Road, Royston, Herts, SG8 5PT. Tel: 07813 804 441

(*= primitive as well as Manx Loaghtan)

27th January 2020

Approved Judges