SOUTH WEST REGION
Regional Contact Member – Richard Fenwick
We have had a busy start to the show season stretching across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. The lack of rain in some parts of the region has created significant challenges. Some members are running short of grazing and the hay yield has been less than half from previous years in some areas. We look forward to the full show calendar that the rest of the year brings.
At the Royal Cornwall Show, Chris Fisher’s ewe was champion and Chris Slee’s shearling ewe reserve. The judge was Kay Carpenter.
Young member, Riley Marsh, is this issue of the Journal’s South West “Meet the Member.” He started his Marsh flock in 2019 when he was given two Jacob lambs for his birthday. He currently has 10 ewes, mainly two-horners, and breeds his own replacements. His first ram was Dalewode Warrior, followed by Dunmor Adam Ant and Hope Alladin, and he currently is using Celtic Ozzy. Riley says what he likes most about keeping Jacob sheep is that they have their own personalities, are good mothers, and they make good crossing ewes too. He likes Jacobs with wide shoulders and frames, wide dark horns and a good white blaze with a “look at me” presence. Riley says his greatest achievement was winning the 4 – 7 years Young Handler class at the Bath & West Show in 2019 with a home-bred ewe lamb.
Riley showing one of his lambs
At Devon County Show under judge, Gareth Jones, Chris Fisher’s ewe and ram were champion and reserve
At Liskeard Show Steph Jasper’s ewe was champion, and Bethany |Osborne’s ewe lamb was reserve. Josh Quant judged.