Overall Champion - Cnwch HD II Est Beau from ARP & DR Wilson
Reserve Champion - Merryboro Hollywood Dream Girl from T & L Nash
Judge - Dell Amson
Despite the Bluetongue restrictions affecting this year’s show, our Welsh members went above and beyond to present a remarkable lineup of quality sheep. As a result, Judge Dell Amson faced a challenging task judging over 80 exceptionally turned-out sheep.
With the weather just about holding off, and the packed show ring waiting with baited breath to see who would take this year's prestigious Champion title, it was the Shearling Ram from ARP & DR Wilson, Cnwch HD Il Est Beau, which is French for 'he is beautiful' who not only claimed the Male Championship but went on to become Overall Champion. Out of the Aged Ewe winner, Cnwch Fflur De Lys, this powerful, naturally born tup certainly turned Judge Dell Amson's head. His accolades don't stop there. With some strong breeding behind him and famous relatives, including Cnwch HD Crème de la Crème, who was Reserve Overall Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show last year, this tup had high hopes from the start.
Reserve Overall Champion went to Merryboro Hollywood Dream Girl, bred by T & L Nash, who also managed to be crowned Female Champion. This flashy ewe is the daughter of renowned tup Dutch Dominator.
The rosettes didn't stop there for the Wilson family, as they secured two further Reserve Champion titles with their Ram Lamb, Cnwch Ironside sired by Johnstown Evo who is no stranger to a championship himself, winning Reserve Male Champion and Aged Ewe, Cnwch Fflur De Lys, securing the Reserve Female Champion.
Aged Ram
With three sheep forward for this first class, it was Merryboro Georgeofthejungle, shown by H Vaughan, who took stop spot.
Other competitors forward were:
2nd - S Williams | 441/G00008
3rd - G Williams | 008/F01552
Shearling Ram Class
Nine strong rams were brought forward for this class, but it was ARP & DR Wilson's Cnwch HD Il Est Beau who led the way with securing top spot.
Second place also went to ARP & DR Wilson with Cnwch Hawaii 5 Oh, a Woodies Falcon son, which was closely followed by T & L Nash with Westbroad Hunter in third.
Further placings included:
4th - R Jones | 056/H00589
5th- A Jones | 670/H00607
6th - G Williams | 143/H04234
Ram Lamb Class
One of the strongest classes of the day, in more ways than one, saw 21 sheep brought forward. No matter which way you looked up the line, there was power and presence to be seen, but it was again ARP & DR Wilson who took the first place rosette with Cnwch Ironside. Second place was awarded to T & L Nash with Merryboro I'm the One You Want, sired by Merryboro Gladiator. Third went again to ARP & DR Wilson with Cnwch Iron Jasper.
More placings included:
4th - 6579 | 611/I02892
5th - Witcomb | 728/I06711
6th - T & L Nash | 060/I02779
Aged Ewe Class
The Aged Ewe class saw another first place for ARP & DR Wilson with their Champion breeding Ewe Cnwch Fflur De Lys, with T & L Nash again taking second place with Merryboro Glamorous. Third place was awarded to S Gibbons and Whatmore Fancypants.
4th Gibbons | 287/E02189
5th H Vaughan | 576/05515
6th Benton-Thomas | 057/G01139
Shearling Ewe Class
Another tremendously strong class of sheep were brought forward for this one, and the first place was given to Merryboro Hollywood Dream Girl from T & L Nash, with second place going to S Gibbons with Whatmore Hot & Spicy, followed by third place going to ARP & DR Wilson and Cnwch Hershey.
Other results for this class included:
4th - R Jones | 061/H02738
5th - R Jones | 060/H02643
6th - T & L Nash | 060/H02712
Ewe Lamb Class
This class featured the highest number of participants of the day, showcasing 23 exceptionally well-presented ewe lambs, providing Judge Dell Amson with a challenging lineup to assess. It was, however, ARP & DR Wilson's, Cnwch Inblanco Royal, who took the top spot, quickly followed by T & L Nash with Merryboro It Girl in Second place. Third place was given to Aberhonddu Isn't She Something, shown by D Witcomb.
Other rosette winners were:
4th - ARP & DR Wilson | 254/I12729
5th - Jones | 060/I02747
6th - Witcomb | 728/I07682
Group of Three
For the final class of the day, six groups were presented, each showcasing a strong selection of animals that had previously impressed the judge. Ultimately, first place was awarded to ARP & DR Wilson for their exceptional group who looked just like peas in a pod, while T & L Nash secured a commendable second place.
To cap off ARP & DR Wilson's impressive success at this year's Royal Welsh Show, Cnwch HD Il Est Beau was crowned Champion of Champions in a highly competitive Interbreed Championship on Wednesday morning. This victory showcased the exceptional quality and competitiveness of Dutch Spotted Sheep among the finest in the show.
After the classes, we had a conversation with Judge Dell Amson regarding his thoughts on how the day unfolded. "I would like to extend my gratitude to the Royal Welsh Show for giving me the honour of judging such a tremendous line up of sheep today. The depth of quality throughout the classes was a credit to all exhibitors and I would like to congratulate you all for the hard work you put in. There can however only be one winner and the Shearling tup from the Wilson family was the apple of my eye. Alert with Scope and Carcass, width through the shoulders down to the back end he is a ram that has the capability to take the breed forward."
It was an outstanding show for all the competitors, and a huge congratulations to every rosette winner!
