With Covid shutting down many 4-H achievement days for members, many clubs have moved to a virtual option for the members. This is my example of what how to do a showmanship "class" through a video.
As a 4-H alumni and sheep judge, I've worked with 4H clubs and shows across Canada. I've included here the criteria that I wrote up for judging virtual achievement days, to help clubs that are struggling through covid to still have options for their members to show off their lambs.
Virtual Achievement Day Criteria
By Nicole Schieck
Physical presentation for picture and video
· 4-H member should be in show clothes
· Lamb should be washed and cleaned, properly fitted and pictured in a clean area with a tidy and quiet backdrop
· Halters are discouraged if the lamb is being shown (especially for the older members)
The key to a good virtual presentation is to treat it like a traditional achievement day. Always have your lamb set up (feet square) and well presented. In this setting, the camera (ie. Your camera person 😉) is the judge’s view into your hard work, and ultimately your placing. Show your lamb to make it look it’s best, especially since the judge can’t physically feel the lamb to compare qualities such as the loin, hind quarter, etc. Smile, have fun, and be proud of what you have accomplished!
· Note: for group pictures, it is acceptable to take the picture with all the sheep tied up as long as they are tied close enough to compare but far enough apart to see the whole animal. This can also be done if you have enough extra people to hold the sheep. Either way, try to get the feet on all the animals set up as best you can when you take the picture.
Showmanship video
· The best case scenario is having 1 person running the camera while another person goes through the motions of the judge assessing the lamb and 4-H member (the accompanying video will explain)
· If only 1 person is able to run the camera and act as judge (making it as seen through the judge’s eyes), the member is to treat the camera person as the judge.
· Members are to make good eye contact, set the lambs feet up, move around the lamb at the correct time, kneel if appropriate, walk the lamb in a circle and then reset the feet, keep good neck extension, and hold the lamb properly when the “judge” touches them.