NEW RULES AND CHANGE:  Show only fleeces are no longer allowed, and pricing changed in order to help better fund the show and reflect pricing in other major fiber festivals.

LINKS: Manual Entry Form

Show Rules

Fleece Presentation:

Most be full fleece from one animal; including belly, leg, and neck fiber if it meets criteria of properly skirted (below). If Show/Sale fleece, may not be split in half by SAFF or the producer after competition. Must be sold as full fleece.

Fleeces must be:

• From the current 2024 clip.
• Represent no more than 12 months growth.
• Properly skirted—Free of vegetable matter, chaff, burrs, bugs, manure tags, cotted or matted locks, second cuts and excessively dirty fleece. CAUTION: Fleece is also judged on yield.
• Not Washed: No Washed Fleeces will be Accepted.
• Not tied in any way
• Must be properly placed in a clear plastic bag (available for sale at the desk) to be presented for show. Pygora fleeces do not have to be rolled.
• Have no other identifying marks on or in bag other than SAFF tags and identification.
• Show/Sale fleece may have promotional material in an unmarked, blank envelope in the fleece bag. Fleece Show Staff will display this material after the competition when fleece is put out for sale.

In addition, according to PBA Rules:

Fleece Regulations

1. For sanctioned doe, buck, or wether shows, goats 1 year and older (kids under one year are excluded from this requirement) may be shown with fleece “on the goat” or “in the box”. Only one fleece per animal may be shown in any one show. If the goat has regrown some fleece, it is the decision of the exhibitor which fleece, “on the goat” or “in the box” will be judged.

2. For sanctioned doe, buck, wether or fleece shows, all fleece, whether “in the box” or “on the goat” must be shown in its natural state so the natural characteristics (style, finish, handle, luster) can be felt and seen to be properly evaluated by the judge. Fleeces “in the box” or “on the goat” that have been washed with products that remove any of the natural characteristics, fleeces that have been dehaired, or goats that have been over groomed and brushed so the natural style (curls) are removed, will be penalized the same as under groomed or extremely dirty fleeces and goats.

3. For sanctioned doe, buck, wether or fleece shows, all fleeces shown “in the box” must have
a. Been harvested within one year of the show date. The harvest date must be clearly marked next to the entry number.
b. Have its weight clearly marked next to the entry number. In a tie breaker situation preference will be given to the fleece with greater yield. Method of harvest and fleece type must be considered when calculating greatest yield.
c. May be harvested by shearing, plucking, or combing.

4. For all senior bucks “out of fleece” or entered in fleece shows will be represented by a one ounce sample taken from the bucks barrel and placed in a zip-lock bag with the date of harvest written on it. The sample must have been harvested within one year of the show date. A colored, side view picture of the buck in full fleece must accompany the fleece sample.

AND TO BE AWARE OF:

For Doe Fleeces

–A copy of the goat’s PBA registration papers must be included for each entry.

–Label the box or bag with the date of harvest, fleece weight, fleece type and method of harvest. If you comb or pluck, record the start and stop dates as the fleece will not release all at once.

For Buck Fleeces

–A copy of the goat’s registration PBA papers must be included for each entry.

–A one 1-ounce sample of fleece harvested from the buck’s barrel in a ziplock bag with the harvest date written on the bag.

–A color side-view photo of the buck in full fleece.

–The buck’s total fleece weight must be written on the ziplock bag containing the fleece sample.

Judging:

• Each fleece may be entered in only one class.
• Fleece entries are limited two fleeces per class per Producer with a total overall limit of 7 fleeces per Producer entered in show.
• Classes may be formed, eliminated or combined and awards given at the discretion of the judge. Judge may move a fleece to another class if deemed appropriate.  If Judge does move a fleece to another class that results in having 3 fleeces from the same producer in the same class, the producer is still only eligible for two(2) awards in that class.  The third lowest ranking fleece will be dropped.
• Judging Criteria – All show fleeces will be judged on the basis of handspinning quality and character, stressing the following:
  • Fineness of fiber: uniform throughout fleece.
  • Feel and Handle: Amount of course fiber, kemp, or medullated fiber.
    Staple Length: Evenness throughout fleece.
  • Twist and Crimp: well defined and uniform.
  • Strength: No faults or breaks.
  • Appearance: Brightness, luster, amount of grease.
  • Yield and Density: Compactness of fleece combined with length equal weight of fleece.  Higher yielding fleeces most desirable.
• Ribbons and premiums will be awarded to winners of each class as follows.  For a complete list of classes, see below.
  • • • 1st place-blue ribbon, $20 premium
      • 2nd place-red ribbon, $15 premium
      • 3rd place-white ribbon, $10 premium

• Reserve Grand Champion Pygora fleece will receive a ribbon and $35 premium; Grand Champion Pygora fleece will receive a ribbon and $50 premium.
• Premium Awards will be paid out by check and mailed within 30 days after show ends.
• Judging remarks, and ribbons will be given to Producer at checkout/pick up.  Judging remarks will also be posted on Producers Fleece registration after the show.  Show Winner Results will be posted on the SAFF website following show.