Bath and West 2012: Sheep interbreed championship

Among the sheep, it was a Charollais ewe from Mr and Mrs M J Alford of Foxhill Farm, Cullompton, -a name more commonly associated with the beef ring – that took home the silverware.

Shown in the ring by freelance showman, Rob Coney, this four year old ewe was in the interbreed pair and group of three that won at the recent Devon Show. She also won breed champion.

Mr Coney believes this is the first year the Alfords have shown sheep on the show circuit. The same ewe will be heading to the Cornwall Show next week.

Speaking about his champion, judge Mr F Verney said: “When I walked in the ring and looked at all the sheep, she was the one that caught my eye. She is evenly balanced with a lovely top line, she stood well on her front feet and has tremendous hind quarters.”

In reserve was Texel ewe, Fordwell Pandora Special, from D I Corfield and Partners, Dairy Farm, Faringdon, Oxfordshire. Homebred, she is out of an Etterick ewe and by Etterick Moscow Flyer. Shown in the ring by Bec Mclean this second crop ewe came to The Royal Bath and West on her dam in 2009 where her mother won reserve breed champion and her sire was breed champion.