Impressive show of sheep at Stainmore

THE high quality of entries to this year’s Stainmore Swaledale Sheep Show impressed judges, visitors and exhibitors alike.

Judges Kevin Sowerby and Robin Booth chose Sheena Pratt's ewe as their open champion, leaving the winner “dumbstruck”.
Mrs Pratt came over from her farm near Hawes, North Yorkshire, to take part in the show.
“My father came from near Brough and showed here for years and my brother shows as well. I came two years ago – I thought I would support the show.”
She added: “It was a good show with good classes of stock and some of the best tup hoggs I have seen.”
The reserve champion award went to Stanley and Pat Brogden, whose tup hogg had earlier been judged best tup hogg in show.
Bowes-based R Hutchinson and Sons took home the cup for best gimmer hogg in show, while Tom and Kay Hutchinson, of Forest-in-Teesdale took home the cup – and top two places – in the tup hogg small breeders section.
Their daughter Hetty was judged best young handler by Alan Alderson, who said he had been impressed by her knowledge of the sheep she was showing.
She received a new trophy donated by show president Molly Ingham in memory of her late brother John Coates, who was a long serving member of the committee.
The Eden Farm Supplies prize for most points at Stainmore, High Force and Mungrisedale shows was shared by TW Hutchinson, F Allinson & sons and S Bentley & D Mallon.
Away from the show field, there was good competition in the children’s, industrial and stick sections.
Bob Cannon, from Kendal, is no stranger to silverware at Stainmore and he again carried off the trophy for best stick on show – an ornamental horned crook.
Julie Tunstall’s eye for a good picture earned her success in the photography section, with first places in the animal, birds and weather classes.
Fourteen-year-old Alice Fawcett picked up the cup for best junior exhibit in the industrial section, while nine-year-old Lewis Staley received the trophy for most points.
Mrs Ingham presented the cups after making a speech thanking everyone for attending, along with judges, exhibitors, sponsors and all the committee.
She explained how she had only missed a couple of shows in its 59 years and has been on the committee since 1981.
She said it was pleasing to see the show continuing to grow and wished for its continued success.
Trophy winners
Open champion: SL Pratt; reserve champion: S&P Brogden; champion small breeder: SL Pratt; Shearling ram: MC&AE Staley; Tup hogg: S&P Brogden; Tup hogg (small breeders): TW Hutchinson; Best ewe: SL Pratt; Best sheep Stainmore parish: P&K Sowerby; Young handlers: H Hutchinson; Best tup hogg in show: S&P Brogden; Best gimmer hogg in show: R Hutchinson & sons; Local champion: S&P Brogden; Best handwriting: J Seed; Most points in ladies section: Z Barnet; Second in ladies section: C Lightbody and AM Beckwith; Best entry in industrial section: Z Barnett; Best entry in men's class: I Flintoff; Best exhibit by a junior in industrial section: A Fawcett; Most points in children’s section: L Staley; Photography: JE Tunstall; Sticks: B Cannon; Dog class: S Proctor.