By Isle of Wight Observer
An Isle of Wight sheep has won Supreme Champion Award at the annual South of England Show in Ardingly, West Sussex. The prestigious show attracts exhibitors from all over the country, to show their livestock. and for one Isle of Wight sheep farmer, the result was the highlight of his showing career.
Allan King, from Sibbecks Park Farm in Whitwell, has been keeping pedigree Suffolk sheep since he established the Alljohn flock with his late father John in 1982. Allan took four of his sheep to compete amongst the 380 sheep at the three day show at the beginning of June.
It was when his homebred shearling ewe stood first in her class, that Allan started to get excited. She then went on to win the breed championship, for the best Suffolk in show. At this point, Allan explained that the excitement was too much and asked a friend to take her forward for the Interbreed Championship, where the best of each breed were on show, to establish the Supreme Champion.
Allan said: “My heart was beating like a racehorse, I couldn’t believe it when the judge walked towards my sheep, to tap her out as the overall champion. It’s taken me 37 years to win at this level. I just can’t explain how happy I am.”
The champion sheep’s breeding can be traced all the way back to one of Allan’s foundation sheep that he had when starting the flock in 1982.
Suffolk Sheep Society, South East Chairman, Tom Blunt, said: “This is a great achievement for Allan and for the breed. To see off such a high level of competition from all other breeds is a fantastic achievement, and Allan is certainly one of the most popular winners we have had.”
Allan will be next showing at the Royal Isle of Wight Show on June 30, where the Champion Ewe will attempt to repeat her success at the South of England Show.
