The Royal Welsh Show 2011: sheep interbreed championship cont.
In the Native upland interbreed championship, it was a Hill Radnor from the aptly named, Neil and Jean Radnor, The Marsh, Bucknell, that took home the title with a
A Bluefaced Leicester ram was awarded the title of Native Lowland Champion. This was the first show outing for the one year old tup having been purchased at
A homebred Ryeland ram from Mr and Mrs D and S Lewis, 3 Picton Close, Narbeth, secured the reserve spot. This one is by Ruslin Champion – a sire bred by the judge, Richard Wear.
In the Continental Championship, it was Charollais ewe, Elmwick Isobel taking the top spot. She is a Sarkley Grand Prix daughter and was put forward by Jennifer Curtis, Paddock View, Wickhamford.
This is the last outing for the ewe this season, having also secured the interbreed title at the Royal Bath and West Show earlier in the summer. She is one of 150 pedigree ewes owned by Ms Curtis, along with 50 commercials.
In reserve was a Rouge ewe from Percy Tait, Broughton Manor, Worcester, shown in the ring by Will Price.
However for his overall interbreed champion, Mr Wear went with his native pick, making it a first ever interbreed win for the Hill Radnor in the Royal Welsh’s sheep ring.
This one won supreme interbreed champion at the Staffordshire Show and the breed championship win at the Royal Welsh takes his running total to 19 championship wins for the breed. He is the main stock ram to the Radnor’s flock of 130 registered Hill Radnors.
Judge Richard Wear said: “This is a five year old, active ram that has obviously got a lot more years in his life. He is true to type with excellent conformation and walks exceptionally well for an older ram.”
Having had a Charollais walk away with the title for four years since 2004, it was a good day for the native breeds. However, the continental breed still shined through, with Ms Curtis’s ewe taking the reserve spot.