Fleece

2023 Fleece Show and Sale

Contact: Fleece@NJSheep.org

Includes fiber from Sheep, Goats, Llamas and Alpacas


Premiums will be paid as follows:

1st place  – $10          2nd place – $8          3rd place – $6

Highlights

  • Registration for the Fleece Show & Sale is now closed
  • Fleece check-in for the Show & Sale will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, September 6 and 7, 2023, between 2:00 and 6:30 p.m. at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds in Ringoes, NJ.
  • By popular demand, the Show and Sale will open bright and early Saturday, September 9 at 9:30 a.m.!
  • We will be accepting credit cards again this year, in addition to cash and checks, for all fleece sales
  • There will be a 5% commission on all sales to help defray processing costs. We thank you for your understanding.

Show and Sale Registration

Please read and follow these instructions, which will ensure a smooth process for all participants:

  •  Participants are to fill in the online form with the requested information, pay $3 for each fleece entered, and then save or print out your receipt.
  • There are detailed instructions to
    – Pay online with PayPal, or
    Mail us your check in advance, or
    – Pay using cash or check at fleece check-in on 9/06/23 or 9/07/23
  • Drop off your registered fleeces at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds  Wednesday and Thursday, 9/06 and 9/07/23, between 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
  • Closed judging of show fleeces will take place on Friday, 9/08/23
  • Show & Sale will open Saturday, 9/09/23 at 9:30 a.m.
  • Sale will continue until 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, 9/10/23, at which time unsold fleeces must be claimed by presenting the participant’s copy of the registration form showing the fleece number assigned by Garden State Sheep Breeders at registration.  Unclaimed fleeces become the property of the GSSB.

Show and Sale Rules:

  • Each fleece must be clean, free of tags and vegetation, and have no second cuts. Please don’t bring moldy or insect-infested fleeces! We reserve the right to reject fleeces that do not meet minimum standards. Entry fees for rejected fleeces cannot be refunded
  • The judge may move fleeces to a more appropriate division/class, if necessary
  • Fleeces must be from the current year and represent a single shearing from animal owned by entrant
  • Only whole fleeces may be sold
  • Each fleece must be skirted and placed in a clear plastic bag. YouTube features several excellent videos on how to skirt your fleece, if you’re not sure how to do this.
  • Leave the bagged fleeces untied. Bags will be arranged by GSSB staff so that the correct opening for viewing by judges and/or buyers is maintained
  • Ribbons will be awarded for up to 3 places in each class. The Best In Show will receive a rosette.
  • All checks for prize premiums and sales proceeds will be mailed as quickly as possible after the close of the show.


Division/  Class Definitions  

We reserve the right to create a new class if there are sufficient entries (~10 fleeces). Typically the featured breed will have its own class, and there are usually enough Shetland and Romney fleeces to have their own class as well.

Division N – Natural Colored Sheep Fleeces

F Fine – Merino, Rambouillet, Targhee, etc.
M Medium – Jacob, Shetland, Baby Doll Southdown, Corriedale, Columbia, Cheviot, Tunis, etc.
L Long – Romney, Cotswold, Lincoln, Leicester, etc.
C Coarse – Valais Blacknose, Karakul, Scottish Blackface, Navajo-Churro, Herdwick, etc.

Division W – White Sheep Fleeces

F Fine – Merino, Rambouillet, Targhee, etc.
M Medium –  Shetland, Baby Doll Southdown, Corriedale, Columbia, Cheviot, Tunis, etc.
L Long – Romney, Cotswold, Lincoln, Leicester, etc.
C Coarse – Valais Blacknose, Karakul, Scottish Blackface, Navajo-Churro, Herdwick, etc.

Division O – Fiber from Animals Other than Sheep

M Mohair – from Angora goats
C Cashmere
Al Alpaca
L Llama
O Other

goldbar


*********************************************************
Instructions for preparing fleeces:
NOTE: This info will be emailed along with a Summary of Fleeces Entered.
*********************************************************
Write the shortened fleece ID in permanent marker on the outside of the corresponding bag for each fleece.
Here’s how to create the shortened fleece ID.
Use the last 3 digits of your order/ reference number, a hyphen, followed by the fleece number in your entries.
Example 1 (look at your receipt for this info):
Reference # 9918878
Fleece 1 ID
9918878-WS – White Wool – Shetland-1
Mark the bag: 878 – 1
_______________________________________

Example 2:

Reference # 9918833
Fleece 2 ID: 9918833-WC – White Wool – Coarse – Karakul, Scottish Blackface, Navajo-Churro, etc.-2
Mark the bag: 833 – 2
*********************************************************************************

2023 CONTEST RESULTS

»» Grand Champion – Sheep: Janet Laidlaw (Natural Colored – Medium Wool) ««

»» Grand Champion – Not Sheep: Karen Langer (Alpaca) ««

DIVISION/CLASS 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place
Natural Colored – Coarse Wool Reni Melvin Reni Melvin Reni Melvin
Natural Colored – Long Wool Howell Living History Farm Doreen Denice
Natural Colored – Medium Wool Janet Laidlaw Toni Kellers Janet Laidlaw
White – Fine Wool Howell Living History Farm
White – Coarse Wool  Diana Dougherty Robert C May Robert C May
White – Long Wool Michelle Cross Marlene Halstead Michelle Cross
White – Medium Wool Toni Kellers Toni Kellers Michelle Cross
Alpaca Karen Langer Lisa Collura Lisa Collura
Llama Mary Marzinsky Mary Marzinsky Eunice Bench

↓  Past Years’ Competition Results ↓

2022 Competition Results
2021 Competition Results
2020 Festival not held due to COVID 19
2019 Competition Results
2018 Competition Results
2017 Competition Results
2016 Competition Results
2015 Competition Results – not available
2014 Competition Results
2013 Competition Results
2012 Competition Results

 

 

Updated: January 28, 2024