Double honours for local, Suffolk based breeder at the 2017 National Southdown Show
The 2017 Southdown Sheep Society National Show took place at the Suffolk Show and attracted an impressive number of entries which totalled almost one hundred. Breeders travelled from East Anglia and further afield to compete in the twelve classes, with a large number of quality animals across all classes competing for the prizes.
Judge Mrs Alexandra Long from Ashford, Kent, said that it was an honour to judge the national show, stating that the “quality and presentation was as expected superb; such was the quality that placing the top sheep in some classes was demanding; however my champion stood out for me”.
Taking the overall championship title and winning the Moulton Perpetual Rose Bowl presented by Hugh & Mark Clark, the Northumberland Perpetual Challenge Trophy, and the Sheila Colman Trophy, was the shearling ewe, Wakes Hall 16/00425, from Suffolk based breeder Miss Jessica Middleditch of Belchamp St. Paul, Sudbury, Suffolk.
This ewe is out of a Wealden dam and sired by a Chaileybrook ram.
The reserve championship title, and the Hazelton Perpetual Challenge Cup for best opposite sex to the breed champion, went to Jessica Middleditch’s shearling ram, Wakes Hall Jimmy Choo 16/00428. This ram is out of a Goodwood ewe, and sired by the same Chaileybrook ram as the champion, Chaileybrook French Connection 12/01476. Commenting on her double win, Jessica admitted that she was “proud and completely overwhelmed” with the results of the National Show.
The aged ram class was won by Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer, who also took the first prizes for the Signet performance recorded ram and the ram lamb born between January 1st and February 28th.
The pair of shearling rams class was won by Goodwood Estate Co. Ltd, with D, S & P Humphrey claiming second place with their pair of East Dean shearling rams.
In the two classes for lambs born after March 1st, it was breeders Messrs G & M Sparke from Stewkley, Buckinghamshire, who carried off the first prizes for both ram lamb and ewe lamb. Keen young handler Matthew Sparke achieved a ‘hat trick’ by taking the red rosette too with his aged ewe.
The older ewe lamb class was won by Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer, who were also awarded first prize for their pair of sheep, and the group of four sheep.
Judge Mrs Alexandra Long thanked all those members who had entered, and concluded by wishing everyone a successful season.
Winning Breeder Ms Jessica Middleditch with the championship trophies
president Mr Lindsay Dane thanks the national show judge
Judge Mrs Alexandra Long with the Champion and Reserve Champion
2017 NATIONAL SOUTHDOWN SHOW
at The Suffolk Show
JUDGE: Mrs A Long, Ashford, Kent
Aged ram
1: Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
2: Goodwood Estate Co. Ltd
3: Goodwood Estate Co. Ltd
4: Amy Readhead-Higgins
5: D, S & P Humphrey
Shearling ram
1: Miss Jessica Middleditch
2: Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
3: Goodwood Estate Co. Ltd
4: E J Cresswell
5: Goodwood Estate Co. Ltd
Signet Performance Recorded shearling ram (in top 25% of recorded breed in 2016)
1: Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
2: D, S & P Humphrey
Pair of shearling rams
1: Goodwood Estate Co. Ltd
2: D, S & P Humphrey
Ram lamb, born 1 January – 28 February
1: Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
2: Amy Readhead-Higgins
3: Goodwood Estate Co. Ltd
4: Amy Readhead-Higgins
5: D, S & P Humphrey
Ram lamb, born after March 1
1: G & M Sparke
2: Miss Holly Lutkin
3: D, S & P Humphrey
4: MF & G Sprake
5: Alison Allen
Aged ewe
1: G & M Sparke
2: Miss Holly Lutkin
3: Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
4: Mrs Alison Robertson
5: Amy Readhead-Higgins
Shearling ewe
1: Miss Jessica Middleditch
2: Goodwood Estate Co. Ltd
3: Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
4: MF & G Sprake
5: Miss Holly Lutkin
Ewe lamb, born 1 January – 28 February
1: Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
2: D, S & P Humphrey
3: Goodwood Estate Co. Ltd
4: Amy Readhead-Higgins
5: Mrs Alison Robertson
Ewe lamb, born after March 1
1: G & M Sparke
2: D, S & P Humphrey
3: Miss Holly Lutkin
4: Mrs Alison Robertson
5: L & L Dane
A Pair (comprising shearling ewe & shearling ram)
1: Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
2: Goodwood Estate Co. Ltd
3: Miss Holly Lutkin
4: D, S & P Humphrey
Group of Four sheep: comprising a ram (shearling or over), a ram lamb, a ewe (shearling or over) and a ewe lamb. Bred by the exhibitor.
1: Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
2: Amy Readhead-Higgins
3: Miss Holly Lutkin
CHAMPION
Miss Jessica Middleditch’s shearling ewe
RESERVE CHAMPION
Miss Jessica Middleditch’s shearling ram
TROPHIES
· The Moulton Perpetual Rose Bowl, and the Northumberland Perpetual Challenge Trophy (RASE) - awarded to Miss Jessica Middleditch’s shearling ewe
· Hazleton Perpetual Challenge Cup (RASE) for best opposite sex to breed champion - awarded to Miss Jessica Middleditch’s shearling ram
· Cooper Perpetual Trophy for the best ram lamb – awarded to Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
· Sheila Colman Trophy for the best shearling ewe - awarded to Miss Jessica Middleditch’s shearling ewe
· Miller Hallett Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best group of four sheep - awarded to Messrs Wakeham-Dawson & Harmer
