2025 Results are in!
This year’s judges were Einar Sveinn Friðriksson, (Class 1+2) and Ken Brown (Class 3 + 4)
Champion: Normannsson Bongull
Reserve Champion: Escrigg Bronnie
Our Judge for the ewe and ram sections was Einar Sveinn Friðriksson, a farmer in the Northeast of Iceland. One disclaimer that Einar and I both included in our communications is that the results are based on photos provided by our members, and that photos alone aren’t the most accurate way to judge an animal. For this, hands-on, in-person judging is necessary, but we have to deal with what we have.
He was judging it based on how they grade their sheep in Iceland for commercial farming. Factors such as Head (size, shape, horns), Conformity, Back (straightness, length), Rear (cow hocks, pasterns etc), LOL (length of leg) and Stance.
If in his grading there was a draw, then he chose whatever animal he´d prefer to keep personally.
Class 1 – Ram
1st – Normannsson Flock with Normannson Bongull
2nd – Muggleswick Flock with Muggleswick Odin
3rd – Askja Flock with Askja Hektor
Above: Normannsson Bongull
Above: Muggleswick Odin
Above: Askja Hektor
Class 2 – Ewe
1st – Escrigg Flock with Escrigg Bronnie
2nd – Letham Flock with Letham Primrose
3rd – Normannsson Flock with Normannsson Asdis
All very close for the top three. Well done to the winners!
Above: Escrigg Bronnie
Above: Letham Primrose
Above: Normannsson Asdis
Class 3 – General
The criteria set for our judge, Mr Ken Brown, were as follows:
“We’re looking for the best overall photo in terms of quality, composition, lighting, perhaps the photogenicness of the sheep in question.
Essentially, whatever you think would be the best photo that could be on the front page of a calendar, publicity advert or promotional material, etc.”
Class 3 – Photos featuring Icelandic sheep, the top three are as follows…
1st Flock 206 Crab Apple Farm with lambs on a hillside
“Classic composition- foreground, subject, middle ground, background and sky, all in focus and correctly exposed. The angular lines add interest. Only flaw is that the lambs are in shadow.”
2nd Askja Flock Entry 1
“A close-run second. composition as above. The closer portrait is framed by the tree. No shadows, but the building in the background would be better off-centre.”
3rd Normannsson Flock – Portrait of Normannsson þorvi
“A classic portrait. Placing the head above centre allows the fleece to play its part. Would benefit from straightening and removing that grass from the ear!”
Above: 1st
Above: 3rd
Class 4 – Fun Photo
1st place Normannsson Flock with “Something to Shout About” Featuring Normannsson Þoka
“The off-centre angle of the head is what makes this one for me. In focus and correctly exposed.”
2nd place – Leumadair Flock – I´m Hiding
“Fine animal doing what they do best, not what you want! The match of bark and fleece completes the joke.”
3rd place – Normannson Flock with “Lamb in a Bucket”
“A common enough occurrence, but the photographer has avoided a common mistake by getting down level with the subject.”
Above: 1st
Above: 2nd
Above: 3rd