125th Anniversary events to highlight National Show at 2009 NAILE The North American International Sheep Show will run from Nov. 13-20 in Louisville, Ky. at the Kentucky Exposition Center. A host of events for Shropshire enthusiasts, young and old, is planned to help commemorate the 125th Anniversary. Junior Division events begin on Friday, Nov. 13 at 4 p.m. with both the Market Lamb Showmanship and the Lead Line Contest. The Junior Wether Show begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Nov. 14 and will run all day. Kyle Smithwick of Miles,Texas will serve as judge for this contest. The ASRA will sponsor a Junior Quiz Bowl Contest and afternoon of bowling at 1 p.m. on Saturday.This will take place at the bowling alley right outside the main gate. Quiz Bowl teams shall consist of three persons, one of which shall be under 14 years of age and also shall contain at least one boy and at least one girl. Cash awards are as follows: $15 per team member for first place, $10 per team member for second place and $5 per team member for third place. A pizza party and meeting for all youth to discuss future plans will follow the Quiz Bowl. The National Junior Shropshire Breeding Sheep Show will be on Sunday, Nov. 15. Shropshires will be the second breed of the day and will be judged by Larry Shroyer. The ASRA provides special awards to all of the class winners. The National Shropshire Show Open Division will be at 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 16.These sheep will be judged by Brad Payne of Weston, Mo. Please note that the ASRA has added extra funding to both the Junior Division and the Open Division in 2009 and offers a total of $2806 for both shows.
The yearling ewe class has been split for both shows as has the spring ewe lamb class which is now split by month of birth. The Matching Funds program continues in 2009 but has been revised in order to fund the premiums provided. A fee of $10 per head and group class will be required from each exhibitor in the open show. These fees will be payable to the ASRA prior to show day and should be sent to the secretary. These fees will be retained by the association again in 2009. Shropshire show spectators might enjoy morning snacks in certain penning areas along the west wall of the sheep facility prior to the shows on Sunday and Monday. This would be an opportunity to catch up with folks you haven’t seen in some time. In conjunction with the 2009 National Shropshire Show, the Annual Meeting of the Members of the American Shropshire Registry Association and 125th Anniversary Banquet will also be held in Louisville. This gathering is set for Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. It will be a buffet-style meal catered by Center Plate, the official meal service at the North American. Past ASRA presidents have been invited and will be introduced. Larry Mead will serve as the Master of Ceremonies and will offer some of his Shropshire remembrances and anecdotes. Tickets are $22 for adults and at a reduced rate for youngsters. Tickets will be available at the door but please make your intentions to attend known with the Shropshire office. F o r further information regarding the 125th Anniversary schedule, see www.shropshires. org. For other aspects of the Exposition, go to www.livestockexpo.org. _______ Page 9