Polled Dorset Sheep

 NI Dorsets make presence felt in National Flock Competition 

After a very successful show season around our local shows Dorset sheep have raised a few eyebrows to say the least.  A Poll Dorset gimmer belonging to the ever impressive flock of William and Karen Carson became the first Dorset ever in Northern Ireland to win a Supreme Interbreed Championship, and also a few reserve interbreeds along the way!  She definitely is a credit to the breed as well as to her breeder and owner.

 

Karen Carson with the Interbreed Champion at Londonderry & Limavady Show 

 

She also started the ball rolling to a show season where Northern Ireland Dorsets certainly held their own, not only in Northern Ireland but in mainland UK too.  After a very successful May Fair when the Lamb Brother Partnership of Ben and Peter of Richhill, Armagh became the first flock outside of England to win the coveted title of Best Horn Exhibit and carried on the winning trend when they carried off the First Prize in the National Flock, small flock section and also the Petty France Award for Best New Entrant.  Congratulations not only to Ben and Peter but to their father Robin and Grandad John for all their support and enthusiasm over the past three generations.

 

In the medium section it was again the Ballytaggart flock of Thomas Wright who raised the bar and indeed made the headlines by not only coming First in their section but were very unlucky after a very close contest to settle for Reserve Supreme Champion Flock over all.  For the third time the Supreme Champion being the famous Blackhill Flock of Jim Duffosee from Warminster, Wiltshire. 

 

The Ballytaggart flock also became the first flock from Northern Ireland to come First in the Ewe Lamb section, this time pipping Mr Duffosee into second place.  At the end of the competition it was Thomas Wright who was rewarded for all his hard work, and not the quality of his sheep, when he received the award of Best Shepherded Flock.  Again it was the first time this prize headed for Northern Ireland, but also the first time a flock owner and not a professional shepherd has received it.

 

After all these awards and prizes I think it is fair to say that all the current Dorset Breeders can’t wait until May next year when the new show season gets underway and they can once again show everyone just how good Dorset sheep have become.