MERINO YOUNG JUDGES COMPETITION
Sunday, 8th February 2026 @ 12.00PM
Qualifying event for the Group 7 Competition (held on the same day @ 1.45pm)
Young judging provides young people with the opportunity to develop lifelong skills in visually assessing livestock and public speaking through comparing animals against each other. These skills not only develop a better understanding of the Merino sheep, they also enable young people to make a valuable contribution to the industry.
Sponsors: TBC
Chief Steward:
Paddy Lowe
0490457781
Steward:
Sarah Lowe
Location: Sheep Shed
Prizes:
First Place & Runner-Up gain selection in the Group 7 final
Judge: Sam Picker
Entries: All entries are to be in by Saturday, 7th February (day before challenge)
Entry Form: Register above or use the attached forms Download Word doc Download pdf
Competition Guidelines: AgShows NSW Merino Sheep Young Judges Operational Guidelines,
Rules and Regulations
1. Eligibility
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Competitors must be 15 years of age and under 25 years of age as at 1 May in the year of the State Final at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
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Competitors must:
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Reside in New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory, or
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2. Competition Pathway
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Winner and Runner-Up of the Crookwell Show Junior Merino Sheep Judging Competition will be eligible to compete in the Zone 3 Final, held at:
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Crookwell Show
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Sunday 8 February
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Approximately 1:45 pm, following the announcement of the Flock Ewe Competition results.
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The Zone 3 Final Winner will qualify to represent the zone at the NSW State Final, conducted at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
3. Alignment with AgShows NSW
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This competition is conducted in accordance with the AgShows NSW Merino Sheep Young Judges Operational Guidelines, including scoring systems, judging procedures, and conduct expectations.
4. Qualification and Multiple Entries
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Once a competitor has qualified to represent a Group at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in Merino Sheep Judging, they may not enter another Group Final as a potential qualifier in the same competition year.
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Competitors who have already qualified may compete in other Group Finals for practice only, provided they:
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Declare their status at the time of entry, and
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Acknowledge they are ineligible for placings in that event.
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5. Judging and Stewarding Restrictions
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A competitor who has qualified, or intends to qualify, for the State Final in the current competition year must not act as a Judge or Associate Judge at any Group Final for Merino Sheep Judging in that same year.
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Any competitor found to be receiving outside assistance during the competition will be disqualified, at the discretion of the Chief Steward.
6. Representation Limits
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A competitor may represent only one Show Society at any one Group Final.
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A competitor may represent only one Group at the State Final.
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Winners of National Finals are not eligible to compete again at any level in that competition.
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Competitors who have won two (2) NSW State Finals in Merino Sheep Young Judges become ineligible for future competition in this category.
7. Advancement to State Final
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Each Group (Zone) is entitled to be represented by one (1) competitor at State level unless otherwise advised by AgShows NSW.
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Group Secretaries must submit to AgShows NSW:
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Competitor’s name
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Date of birth
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Address
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Contact telephone number
for all competitors progressing to the State Final.
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A complete list of all competitors in the Group Final must be forwarded to AgShows NSW by the next working day following the competition.
8. Competition Materials
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Competitors will receive Appendix A – Competitor Pack, including:
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Cards for note-taking and submission during oral classes.
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Judges will receive Appendix B – Judge Pack.
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The Competition Coordinator will receive Appendix C – Coordinator Pack, along with required scoring sheets, competitor numbers, and polling materials.
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All materials must be distributed prior to the commencement of the competition to allow adequate reading time.