After a cold, wet lambing time, hill farmers were happy to gather on Wednesday for the 92nd Mungrisdale Swaledale sheep show.
In addition to those who brought the pick of their flocks from the North Lakes area, some came from North Yorkshire for what they regard as a “can’t miss” opening to the sheep showing season.
Twelve breeders exhibited their sheep and show chairman John Rowland said the local classes were particularly strong, adding: “There are as many in the local classes as I’ve seen. They’ve turned up today looking well despite the weather we’ve had.”
The judges were Greg Dalton and Richard Pattinson, with Robert Tennant as referee judge. Greg, who is chairman of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association, said it was the first time he had been to the show and that it was a great event in a lovely setting — and with a pub close to hand.
President was Carol Tunstall, widow of the late Geoff Tunstall, of Eden Farm Supplies, Brough, who was a regular onlooker at the event for many years. Carol said it was nice to see so many people supporting the show, which was important to the farming community.
In the pens, the local and open championship titles went to the Lightfoot family, Gillside, Glenridding, with a splendid shearling tup. Graham Lightfoot said it was the third year in a row that they had taken top spot, but it was the best win of the three because the champion was one they had bred themselves, with the previous two having been bought in.
Graham added that the shearling was sired by a tup bred by John Kelsall, Clapham, and a half share in the animal was bought last year by John White and John Tullock.
The reserve championship went to the Cockbain family, of Rakefoot Farm, Keswick, for a home-bred gimmer shearling sired by a Bull and Cave tup out of a home-bred ewe. John Cockbain said the gimmer won her class at Mungrisdale last year and that she will probably be on show again at Tan Hill.
Results, local: Aged tup — 1 I. R. and O. M. Wilson; 2 W. E. and B. E. Wilson; 3 J. Mounsey. Shearling tup — 1 Messrs Lightfoot; 2 I. R. and O. M. Wilson; 3 W. E. and B. E. Wilson. Tup hogg — 1 Messrs Lightfoot; 2 Messrs Cockbain; 3 H. Crocker.
Ewe — 1 Messrs Lightfoot; 2 I. R. and O. M. Wilson; 3 W. E. and B. E. Wilson. Gimmer shearling — 1 Messrs Cockbain; 2 C. Ridley; 3 H. Crocker. Gimmer hogg — 1 C. Ridley; 2 Messrs Cockbain; 3 Messrs Lightfoot. Pair — 1 Messrs Lightfoot; 2 Messrs Cockbain; 3 H. Crocker. Local Champion — Messrs Lightfoot; reserve — Messrs Cockbain.
Open: Ewe — 1 Messrs Lightfoot; 2 I. R. and O. M. Wilson; 3 W. E. and B. E. Wilson. Gimmer shearling — 1 Messrs Cockbain; 2 C. Ridley; 3 W. E. and B. E. Wilson. Gimmer hogg, small breeder — 1 and 3 M. C. Staley; 2 H. Crocker and R. Dobson. Large breeder — 1 C. Ridley; 2 Messrs Cockbain; 3 Messrs Lightfoot.
Aged tup — 1 I. R. and O. M. Wilson; 2 W. E. and B. E. Wilson. Shearling tup — 1 Messrs Lightfoot; 2 I. R. and O. M. Wilson; 3 W. E. and B. E. Wilson. Tup hogg, small breeder — 1 Barrie Thomas; 2 H. Crocker; 3 M. C. Staley. Large breeder — 1 Messrs Lightfoot; 2 Messrs Cockbain; 3 W. E. and B. E. Wilson. Pair — 1 Messrs Lightfoot; 2 Messrs Cockbain; 3 I. R. and O. M. Wilson. Three sheep — 1 Messrs Cockbain; 2 W. E. and B. E. Wilson; 3 I. R. and O. M. Wilson.
Best coat — 1 R. Emmott; 2 T. Bell. Mouth — 1 C. Ridley; 2 H. Crocker. Lamb — 1 and 2 W. E. and B. E. Wilson. Confirmation — 1 W. E. and B. E. Wilson; 2 H. Crocker and R. Dobson. Not won a prize — 1 T. Bell. Not in other class, female — 1 C. Ridley. Best tup hogg — 1 Barrie Thomas; 2 Messrs Lightfoot. Best hogg — 1 Barrie Thomas; 2 C. Ridley. Best female — 1 Messrs Cockbain; 2 C. Ridley. Best male — 1 Messrs Lightfoot; 2 Barrie Thomas.
