11-07-2025
Sheep farmers on why winning at the Great Yorkshire Show is 'special'
North Yorkshire farmers were celebrating after successes in the sheep rings at the Great Yorkshire Show.
For Hawes father and son team Trevor and Laurie Blades, of Brown Moor Farm, a shearling ram took Overall Champion in its class.
Trevor said: 'It is Laurie's third year here. I brought my shearling ram, and it won first in class, Male Champion and Overall Champion.
'It has a big head, long body and crisp hair – all signs of good quality in a Swaledale.
'It was the first time showing him, and he'll be sold in October. He should get a decent price thanks to this win at the Great Yorkshire Show. It adds prestige.
'We have 750 sheep at home, but only 100 pure Swaledale. I cross about 400 with Blue Faced Leicester to make a mule, which are good commercially."
Laurie, 18, said: 'I brought my gimmer shearling and three-year-old ewe. I showed the gimmer last year and she came fifth, so she's improved this year.
'I enjoy showing. My flock isn't home bred, but I like to find good quality sheep and hope they do well."
Trevor said: 'He's very keen and has a good eye. He spotted a few winners in other categories before they were presented with their prizes. It has been a good show this year, but we should have brought more with us.
'We could do with more Swaledale breeders here but the quality has been good. We're pleased with our result and we'll be back next year to try again.'
Scorton farmer Andrew Barker took Female Champion and Overall Champion for his Jacob ewe shearling, which had also picked up breed champion at the Otley Show and Great Harwood Show.
"Her sire was Male Champion; we brought seven sheep with us and six picked up a rosette.
"I couldn't be happier. The Great Yorkshire Show is one of the best in the country, and I've been coming all my life. My grandad and dad used to show cattle. My grandad has been coming since 1967 and he was here to see me win this week, so it has been very special."
He said Jacobs were known for their markings, and what made his sheep stand out were the quality of markings, no white on its ears, no black on its legs; very strong and stylish.
He added: "It's horns go straight back as they are supposed to, and she has a lot of character which I think winners need to have."
Andrew, who farms at Tancred Grange Farm in Scorton, near Richmond, has 40 in his Jacob flock, as well as commercial shorthorn and Hebridean sheep – about 100 commercial sheep altogether.
He added: "We used to have cattle too but have moved away from that now. I started with the Jacobs three years ago because I wanted a sheep to show. They are easy to look after and are a good-looking breed."
