A EWE shown by Eggleston-based Simon Bentley and David Mallon took top honours at the spring show of Swaledales staged at the High Force Hotel.
Judges Paul Harker and Dan Humble chose the ewe ahead of Peter Walton’s tup hogg, which was best male in show and overall reserve champion.
Mr Humble described the day as an “exceptional show of sheep, both males and females.”
He added: “All credit goes to the farmers round here.”
Organisers said good spring weather had resulted in a small increase in the number of entries compared to last year.
In addition to taking the overall title, the winning ewe was also district champion and best female.
Competition in several of the classes was closely contested, with referee Stan Brogden called on several times to declare a winner.
In the young handlers class, Hetty Hutchinson, from Forest-in-Teesdale, took the honours ahead of Lewis Staley.
Results
Open classes
Aged ram: 1, Robinson & Hird. Shearling ram: 1, Allinson & Son; 2, W Nattrass; 3, M Watson. Tup hogg (large breeders): 1, P Walton; 2, M Wilson; 3, M Watson. Tup hogg (small breeders: 1, T Nattrass; 2, MC & AE Staley; 3, E Walton. Ewe shown in milk: 1, S Bentley & DJ Mallon; 2, F Allinson & Son; 3, M Wilson. Gimmer shearling shown in milk: 1, J Nattrass; 2, NC & AE Staley; 3, J Nattrass. Gimmer hogg (large breeder): 1, P Walton; 2, W Nattrass; 3, F Allinson & Son. Gimmer hogg (small breeder): 1, TW Hutchinson; 2, T Eccles; 3, TW Hutchinson. Tup or gimmer lamb 2019 born: 1, S Bentley & DJ Mallon; 2, J Nattrass; 3, J Nattrass. Young handler class: 1, Hetty Hutchinson; 2, Lewis Staley.
District classes
Aged tup or shearling: 1, M Watson; 2, P Walton; 3 S bentley & DJ Mallon. Tup hogg: 1, M Wilson; 2, M Watson; 3, R Walton. Ewe or gimmer shearling: 1, M Wilson; 2, M Watson; 3, T Eccles. Gimmer hogg: 1, TW Hutchinson; 2, P Walton; 3, M Wilson. Pair of females: 1, M Wilson; 2, TW Hutchinson; 3, M Watson.
Special classes
Two tup hoggs owned and bred by exhibitor: 1, M Wilson; 2 JA Robinson. Ewe or gimmer shearling shown in milk (small breeder): 1, MC & AE Staley; 2, T Eccles; 3, J Hutchinson. Aged tup or shearling tup and hogg: 1, P Walton; 2, M Watson; 3, JA Robinson. Tup hogg, not in hands of breeder: 1, M Nattrass; 2, T Nattrass. Tup hogg not previously shown: 1, S Bentley & DJ Mallon. Gimmer hogg, not previously shown: 1, F Allinson & Son; 2, J Hutchinson. Special prize best male & female (shown as a pair: 1, J Nattrass; 2, P Walton; 3 F Allinson & Son. Two gimmer hoggs owned and bred by exhibitor: 1, F Allinson & Son; 2, TW Hutchinson. Three best sheep owned and bred by exhibitor: 1, F Allinson & Son. Tup hogg, owned and bred by exhibitor: 1, P Walton; 2, S Bentley & DJ Mallon; 3, MC & AE Staley. Best sheep owned and bred – A District: 1, S Bentley & DJ Mallon; 2, F Allinson & Son; 3, M Watson. Best sheep owned and bred by the exhibitor: 1, S Bentley & DJ Mallon; 2, F Allinson & Son; 3, MC & AE Staley. Best sheep shown by a small breeder: 1, T Nattrass; 2, MC & AE Staley; 3, J Hutchinson. Best gimmer hogg in show: P Walton. Best tup hogg in show: P Walton. District champion: S Bentley & DJ Mallon. Reserve district champion: P Walton. Championship for best female sheep: S Bentley & DJ Mallon. Championship for best male sheep: P Walton. Supreme champion: S Bentley & DJ Mallon. Reserve supreme champion: P Walton.
