Wear a yellow ribbon

We're back from our very first show! The sky managed to stay relatively bright for the Cumberland Show this weekend. Sadly only there were only three Shetland breeders, including us, present, but there were some lovely animals present.

David and Joy Trotter took the red rosette with their handsome tup and then it was our turn in the ring for the ewe class. I'd made a last minute decision to take Ruby and Gruna. Rosy still had marks on her from the antiseptic spray which was used when she got a couple of nicks being sheared (not by me I might add!). She had also decided to use my car as a scratching post the day before the show and had big black streaks right down her side! Since Lenice was the judge I couldn't take Robina.

Ruby has lost condition since being clipped, probably because it has been so cold and wet: none of the girls look at their absolute best, I have to say. She is still pretty though so I decided on her and Gruna because Gruna is quite easy to handle and I'm chuffed with the way her fleece has turned out after I rood and clipped her: it looks rather like a lamb fleece again :o)

They weren't keen on going in the ring but we persuaded them, and I was relieved that mine weren't the worst behaved in the show! I roped my friend and work colleague Cat in to handle Gruna. Thanks Cat!
It was stiff competition since the Rivendell and Fosterfield flock both have some super animals and in the end the Foster's grey katmoget ewe was a very deserving winner. She has excellent confirmation and her katmoget markings are super.

We didn't go home completely empty handed though: Gruna was given 4th place and I got the Novice Handler rosette :o)

Below is the interbreed competition. I simply loved the Greyfaced Dartmoor sheep and they were in the pen next to my girls. I very nearly bought some of these before I got my Shetlands... and still might in the future...!