Overall Champion - Rigghead Hottie, R. Jackson
Hottie Heats Up the Highlands!
Royal Highland Show 2025 – Dutch Spotted Sheep Show Report
Judge: Mr Gordon Troup
A packed ringside and a high-quality entry of Dutch Spotted Sheep set the scene for a thrilling day’s judging at the 2025 Royal Highland Show. Mr Gordon Troup took the helm, judging, whilst exhibitors from across the UK brought forward strong, stylish, and well-handled sheep in all sections – making for a fiercely competitive yet good-spirited showing of the breed.
After a fantastic day of hot competition, Shearling Ewe from R. Jackson, Rigghead Hottie claimed not only 1st place in the Aged / Shearling Ewe Class, Female Champion and then Overall Champion! Judge Gordon Troup praised this ewe for being a superb example of the breed that has power, femininity, length and style.
Reserve Overall Champion went to Tiptop Izzy from A. Jackson, who also claimed 1st place ewe lamb and Reserve Female Champion.
In the Male Championship, the Jackson Family took another clean sweep with Tiptop Infinity, a January born ram lamb from A. Jackson taking the title closely followed by R. Jackson’s shearling ram, Rigghead Hero following up with Reserve Male Champion.
The Female Championship turned up the temperature, with Rigghead Hottie (Shearling Ewe) from R. Jackson claiming the honours, followed by A. Jackson with Tiptop Izzy in Reserve.
Aged Ram / Shearling Ram Class
The opening class saw an exceptional line-up of rams, with shearlings and aged tups forward in fine form. Topping the class was R. Jackson’s Shearling Ram, Rigghead Hero, a powerful, well-balanced ram that caught the judge’s eye. He is sired by Diamond Freaky Freddie and out of Tiptop Dancing Queen.
Second place went to R. Leid’s Aged Ram, Diamond Gyspy King, a Saveock Espresso Martini son, out of Glencoy Chelsie, closely followed by P. Parker’s Shearling, Merryboro He’s The One in third.
Further placings included:
4th – AABC Allen Aged Ram G197 05980
5th – P. Parker Shearling Ram H001 00832
6th – N. Brown Shearling Ram H423 00372
Ram Lamb Class
This class drew one of the largest and most hotly contested line-ups of the day, with real quality and depth throughout.
Leading the way was A. Jackson’s, Tiptop Infinity, an early January-born ram lamb sired by Whatmore Forty Winx and out of Tiptop Felise, an eye-catching lamb brimming with style and correctness, that later got rewarded with the Male Championship title.
In second, from the same stable was R. Jackson’s Rigghead Inspire also sired by Whatmore Forty Winx, while third went to C. Dodd’s Hazelberry Iron Man, a Drumhirk Decider son.
Other top contenders were:
4th – A. Jackson I008 2481
5th – McCornick I197 075337
6th – L. Reid I204 01892
Aged Ewe / Shearling Ewe Class
A particularly strong class, with depth and quality seen from top to bottom. Taking a decisive first place was R. Jackson’s Shearling Ewe, Rigghead Hottie who impressed with her presence, correctness, and tremendous locomotion. She went on to claim the Female Championship and ultimately Overall Breed Champion.
Second prize went to A. Dodd’s Aged Ewe Brookhill Gaby, bred by R McMurtri and owned by the Dodd’s with Kilroot breeding on both the top and bottom sides of the pedigree. She showed maternal qualities, frame, and balance. Third went again to R. Jackson with another smart shearling, Rigghead Hotshot a daughter of the renowned Barquhill Faith and sired by Dutch Import, Dutch Man.
4th – A. Jackson Aged G008 01768
5th – A. Jackson Shearling H008 02094
6th – McCornick Shearling H197 06601
Ewe Lamb Class
A standout class of young females, packed with promise for the future of the breed. Top spot was awarded to A. Jackson’s Tiptop Izzy, a stylish and correct lamb with tremendous breed character, who later secured Reserve Female and Reserve Overall Champion. Izzy is sired by the popular terminal sire, Whatmore Forty Winx and out of dam, Tiptop Felise.
Second place went to H. Jewitt I214 06677, with length and correctness, while N. Brown’s Irthing Valley Iggy, earned third with a naturally fleshing, well-made lamb. Sired by Longfield Hum Dinger and out of Tiptop Easy Girl.
4th – C. Dodd I017 12408
5th – McCornick I197 07538
6th – C. Dodd I017 12407
