Creative Shearing Competition
Updated for 2026
Join us for our fifth annual creative shearing competition. Not everyone can shear a sheep, but even fewer folks have either incentive or opportunity to show their imagination and expertise. This competition is intended to reward the shearer’s creativity with awards and public acclaim. This competition aspires to re-direct the shearer’s mastery as sculpture, landscaping, haute couture, or a journey of craft and art. Judging will be based on artistry, originality, humor, and skill. Group efforts are permitted. Judging will be done on Saturday at noon in the Show Ring. Come see what our shearers have come up with!
To be avoided:
- Standard show ring conventionality of presenting a naked or nearly naked sheep in a beautiful, magazine-quality style.
- Heavy coloring, and especially dye, mousse, or paint that might be considered toxic. This is not a body-painting project.
- Any treatment that, although creative, causes discomfort to the animal. Embarrassment to the owner is okay.
- Entries mocking public figures and causing cultural division will be ineligible. Benign humor is, of course, what it’s all about.
Please have the majority of the shearing done before arriving on site by 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 2. Pens will be available if needed. Minor touch ups can be done if necessary that morning. Alternatively you can lead your masterpiece sheep in later as long as it arrives by 11:30 a.m. Please submit a script to Lizzy Miller or the Sheep Show Office adjacent to the Show Ring by 11:45 a.m. on Saturday that includes the title of your work, exhibitor’s name, and a brief description of your work.
All sheep must have approved interstate or Maryland health papers. See Animal Health Regulations.
Prizes:
1st – $250
2nd – $150
3rd – $75
How to enter:
Pre-registration is required. To register, send name of owner/artiste(s), location of farm, breed of sheep, name of sheep, and the title of your creation to Mara Mullinix, 5209B Green Valley Rd, Monrovia, MD 21770.
Registration deadline is April 20, 2026.
