Royal Welsh sheep interbreed title awarded

From a total of close to 4000 entries the sheep interbreed came down to a climax of just three section champions in the running for the overall title.

And, after a marathon 1.5hr judging stint judge George Hughes found his champion in the Kerry Hill leader, a three shear tup from John, Phillipa, Hannah and Ellie Owens. This one is by a tup the family own in partnership with Howard Jones’ Plash flock and was bred in Mr Jones flock and then bought at the breed’s Ludlow sale as a shearling.

He is one of the sire team run for the family’s 60 ewe flock of Kerry Hills run at home at Shobden, Herefordshire.

Taking the reserve overall title was the Berrichon Du Cher champion, another old tup, this time a two shear from Malcolm and Kathy Yeo’s Swincombe flock. This one, which was bought from Builth tup sale as a lamb from Jack Chamberlain, is by a tup bred in the Swincombe flock.

Mr Hughes said the Kerry Hill was everything he wanted in his champion. “He had flesh, length a great fleece and unlike many of those out here today he moved exceptionally well. Overall he was a great show animal.”

Taking the reserve in the native upland section was the Northg Country Cheviot tup from Wyn and Siwan Harries, while the reserve in the Continental category was taken by the Blue Texel tup from Dan and Janine Jones.

In the Native Lowland championship the winner was the Jacob shearling ewe from the Phillips family, while reserve was the Clun Forest tup from A L Smith.