In a rare occurrence two English Southdown breeders from the same family combined with French colleagues to judge the breed’s classes at the Salon International De L’Agriculture (SIA) in Paris in February.

Stepping into the ring to place the classes were Jonathan Long and his 14-year-old daughter, Sophie, of the Chaileybrook and Littlebrook flocks, respectively. No stranger to the judging ring, both at home and overseas, Jonathan Long said the opportunity to judge alongside Sophie was a unique one that both of them had greatly enjoyed and would look back on fondly. “It was an honour to be asked to judge in Paris and to do so alongside Sophie was a great experience for us both. It is more than 30 years since I first attended SIA and I’ve been a regular visitor over the years, but this was the first time Sophie had been, making it even more special.” Sophie said the experience had been better than she could have ever expected. “I’ve heard plenty of stories from my dad about SIA, French Southdowns and the breeders, so being able to see the show myself and having the honour of judging the Southdowns was brilliant. The sheep were of a high standard and the welcome from the French breeders was superb.”

Winning the championship was a two-shear ram from Earl Bouchard, with the Thomas family winning the yearling ram class and Earl Avicole De Cheni winning the yearling ewes. Jonathan added that, as ever, the French breeders had put on a great display of sheep, surpassed only by the hospitality shown. “There are few things more enjoyable than having a chance to chat sheep with our fellow Southdown breeders across the channel, particularly when it is accompanied by a glass of red wine!”