West Country Suffolk Sheep Association 2009 Flock Competition

Many thanks to Arthur O’Keeffe for finding the time to judge our competition this year. Their flight over was followed up by a whirlwind tour of the West Country, starting with a leisurely drive around Exmoor, complete with ice cream pit stop and then on to more serious matters, stopping at flocks in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Having manhandled him into a pair of wellies two sizes too small preparing for the first morning (which for a moment I thought he was going to have sleep in), Peter Derryman treated them to a shopping expedition at Mole Valley Farmers for more appropriate footwear and then he and Ann were whisked off towards a sunny Cornwall for day one.

A very enjoyable presentation dinner was held at the Padbrook Park Hotel, with results as follows:

Showman’s Shield: Vickie Taylor (Petherwinview Flock) with a whopping 418 points. 

Novice Flock: 1^st: Ben Collings (Benbreed); 2^nd: Paul & Sarah Eckett (Lydden).

Small Flock: 1^st: Mike Smith (Knightswood); 2^nd: Paul & Carrie Osman (Hukeley); 3^rd: Richard Holland (Anstey).

Large Flock: 1^st: Peter Derryman (Yarcombe); 2^nd: Mike Waycott (Longridge); 3^rd: Andrew Reed (Beaconhill); HC: John Creeper (Jaycee).

Best Ewe Lambs: 1^st: Ben Collings; 2^nd: Paul & Carrie Osman; 3^rd: Peter Derryman 

Best Ram Lamb: 1^st: Paul & Carrie Osman (Limestone Pedrosa); 2^nd: Mike Smith (Solwaybank); 3^rd: Mike Waycott (Cairness).

Best Ram – shearling or over: 1^st: Andrew Reed (Cairness Grand Day Out); 2^nd: Mike Smith (Gransha Gus); 3^rd: Mike Waycott (Stapleford Sixty).

Best Homebred Ram: 1^st: John Creeper (Jaycee Justice); 2^nd: Peter Derryman (Yarcombe L68); 3^rd: Peter Derryman (Yarcombe L54).

Best Group of Stock Rams: 1^st: Mike Smith; 2^nd: Paul & Carrie Osman; 3^rd: Mike Waycott.

Best Group of Ram Lambs (running on as commercial shearlings): 1^st: Peter Derryman; 2^nd: Andrew Reed.

CHAMPION RAM: Limestone Pedrosa

RESERVE RAM: Solwaybank (ram lamb - Mike Smith).

CHAMPION FLOCK: Knightswood (Mike Smith)

RESERVE FLOCK: Yarcombe (Peter Derryman)

There is an open invitation to view the Champion flock on Sunday 22^nd November (full details will be confirmed). Please contact Mike Smith directly to confirm you will be coming (T: 01884 32431 / 07966 989523). This will, as usual, be followed by the AGM (venue tbc).