Online success for Blacknose sheep show and sale
30th August 2020
The Valais Blacknose Sheep Society took its annual Blacknose Beauties Show and Sale online for the first time in its history.
The Valais Blacknose Sheep Society took its annual Blacknose Beauties Show and Sale online for the first time in its history.
Keen to continue showcasing the breed and bring members together, the society made the decision to run the event online to welcome newcomers and previous attendees alike, whilst encouraging the future generations of breeders.
Competitions
The online Young Handler competition featured three classes, with each class winner put forward to compete for the overall Young Handler Champion title. Competitions were judged by VBSSUK committee members Andrew and Jemma Knowles-Brown of Crookedstane Valais Blacknose, who are also yearly Blacknose Beauties class sponsors.
The overall Young Handler Champion title was awarded to six-year-old Beau Houston of the Houstons Valais Blacknose flock.
Six-year-old Beau Houston of the Houstons Valais Blacknose flock.
Following the success of last year’s fancy-dress competition, the society also hosted three online classes, which were open to children, adults and family entries and judged by Hannah Jackson, the Red Shepherdess. The overall Fancy Dress Champions were brothers Alfie and Luca Jones from the Snowdonia Valais Blacknose flock with their ‘Avengers’ themed entry.
Alfie and Luca Jones from the Snowdonia Valais Blacknose flock opted for an ‘Avengers’ themed entry to the fancy dress competition.
Commenting on the online competitions, Jenni McAllister, joint director of VBSSUK, said: “Set against the disappointment surrounding the cancellation of the event in Carlisle, we endeavoured to reproduce what we could online.
“Whilst not a substitute for the show, it was an opportunity to bring people together and demonstrate our resilience at this difficult time and have some fun. We received an overwhelming response from members and are grateful for their continued support. We look forward to welcoming everyone back under better circumstances next year”.
In addition to the online competitions, the annual sale was also hosted online via Harrison & Hetherington. The timed sale ran from Tuesday 18th August – Friday 21st August.
Online sale a first for society
The society’s online sale saw over 100 lots of Valais Blacknose sheep go under the hammer, with Scottish Breeders Raymond Irvine and Jenni McAllister’s ram lamb Highland Hero topping the sale at £6,550.
Following at £6,300 was Westmorland Hollie, a ewe lamb belonging to Cumbrian breeder Tim Dunne. Cheshire breeder Eliott Ford sold Maverick Import VBN3291, an ewe with lamb at foot for £5,650. Ewe lamb, Accraplatts Heather, bred by Caroline Brown, sold for £5,100 and Goldies Valais Blacknose sold their shearling ewe Denne Manor Penelope for £5,000.
Commenting on the online sale, Jenni McAllister continues: “Hosting the online sale was a first in the history of the society, but it has been our largest sale yet, featuring over 100 lots. We were thrilled with the amount of entries which attracted both UK and global breeders, incredibly happy with the response from respective buyers and the overall sales results for all society members.”
Alongside the online event, the society also launched a fundraiser to raise money for The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) who provide an array of support to families and individuals in the agricultural industry.
Semen pellets from fantastic rams belonging to the Highland, Westmorland and Whitehall flocks were sold at the end of the online sale with all proceeds donated to the charity, in addition to 25 per cent of all online raffle tickets and 2019/2020 calendar sales proceeds.
