The sheep competitions begin on Friday 24 May with the Ile de France Regional Championship and the Suffolk Regional Championship.

The 64 Ile de France entries will be judged from 8.00am by Clark Rattray, assisted by Jonathan Tyler. Following on from the Ile de France, Henri de Jager will judge the 60 Suffolk entries.

Saturday 25 May will be a busy day, with Angus Williamson and Jan de Jong judging the 176 entries in the Fat Lamb competition during the morning. Weighing will get underway early at 7.30am.

The Dorpers will be judged after the Fat Lambs, also by Angus Williamson and Jan de Jong.

The Dormer National Championship will take place at 8.00am on Sunday 26 May. There is a fantastic entry of 182 Dormers, and these will be judged by Clark Rattray and Jan Joubert.

On Monday 27 May, the Hampshire Down National Championship will begin at 8.00am. Henri de Jager will judge the 107 Hampshires entered.

At 4.00pm on Monday 27 May, the Royal Carcass Competition and Auction will take place, where the winners of the lamb carcass competition, judged by the South African Fat Stock Judges Association, will be announced.

To find out more about this prestigious event, please visit https://www.royalshow.co.za/royal-carcass-auction-2024

The Sheep Section concludes on Tuesday 29 May with the Interbreed Competition, followed by the Standard Bank Gold Cup Awards.

We're looking forward to an excellent showing in the sheep championships this year, and wish the sheep breeders safe travels!

The Royal Agricultural Exhibition will take place at the Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg from Thursday 23 May to Tuesday 28 May 2024, and is proudly sponsored by RPO, Standard Bank and Nashua.