The second annual affiliated Show and Sale of Wensleydales was held as part of the 21st annual Native & Traditional Show & Sale at Melton Mowbray on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th September. With the Bluetongue outbreak restricting the movement of stock from exhibitors in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, unfortunately the exhibitors from those counties were unable to attend, reducing the number of Wensleydale sheep forward down to two rams and two shearling ewes. Melton Mowbray Market kindly refunded the entry fees of all exhibitors affected by the restrictions, though it is of course still a bitter blow for those within the Bluetongue zones who face ongoing worries. We are all hoping for a consistent cold snap to help stop the spread of the midge-borne disease.
Despite the absence of many of our friends from these zones, who were sorely missed, it was still wonderful to see so many familiar faces as well as new breeders at the pen sides. The Wensleydale classes were judged by Mrs M Starkings, who found her overall Breed Champion in Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder’s two shear ram, with their shearling ewe taking the Reserve spot. Their homebred Princethorpe ram then went on to take overall Interbreed Reserve Champion to the Galway ram, which in turn took Supreme Show Champion over the pig and the cow.
As sale day rolled on, all stock sold away to new homes, with JA & F Elliot’s black shearling ram selling away at 320 gns to the Bardolph flock at Church Farm rare breeds centre. Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder’s ram and both shearling ewes sold as part of a foundation flock being established by a new breeder, with the ram making 400 gns and the ewes 225 gns apiece; we wish all buyers the very best of luck with their new acquisitions.
Show results – Judge: Mrs M Starkings
Ram of Any Age 1st Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder lot 138, 2nd JA & F Elliott lot 133
Champion Male – Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder Aged Ram
Reserve Male – JA & F Elliott Black Shearling Ram
Ewe of Any Age – 1st Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder lot 132, 2nd Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder lot 131
Champion Female – Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder Shearling Ewe
Reserve Female – Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder Shearling Ewe
Overall Champion – Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder Aged Ram
Overall Reserve – Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder Shearling Ewe
Averages
Rams – 400 gns Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder Aged Ram, 320 JA & F Elliott Black Shearling Ram
Shearling Ewes – 225 gns Dr G Steventon & Dr L Clouder
