As part of the Beltex Sheep Society’s 2021 Virtual Show Season, there will be special sections this year for groups of pedigree and commercial sheep, as well as young handlers classes.

Such was the demand from exhibitors during the 2020 Virtual Show Season, these new classes have been included for 2021 and it is hoped they will encourage more breeders to take part. The three sections are open Nationally to everyone with an interest in Beltex sheep, whether they be pedigree or commercial breeders, and each section will be judged over a few days with section champions and reserves announced on the final day.

Taking to the virtual judging ring will be individuals which have welcomed success in their own fields over the years.

First up will see Janet McQuistin, of the Airyolland Flock, judge the pedigree classes. Janet and her husband, Neale, from near Newton Stewart, need little introduction having sold the record priced Airyolland Castro at 65,000gns as well as regular high-priced rams and females at sales for many years.

Two young enthusiasts, Katie and Robbie Aiken, from the Procters Flock, will judge the young handlers classes having both excelled in this section at shows, as well as showing their sheep to perfection in open classes.

Another with no need for introduction, Joanne Hall, from Inglewood Edge, will judge the commercial section. Joanne is a well-recognised and respected face across the country for producing quality prime lambs which sell well in the auction market and bring in the prizes on the winter show circuit.

These shows are free to enter but prize cards and money are on offer for the top placings. Details of the classes, various show dates and closing dates and guidelines are below as well as available on the Society website.

Pedigree (Judge: Janet McQuistin, Airyolland Flock)

Closing date for ALL pedigree classes will be Tuesday 20 July

Group of five aged ewes               Thursday 22 July

Group of five shearling ewes       Thursday 22 July

Group of five shearling rams        Thursday 22 July

Trio of ram lambs by the same sire           Friday 23 July

Trio of ewe lambs by the same sire           Friday 23 July

Pedigree champion and reserve will be announced on Saturday 24 July

Young Handlers (Judges: Robbie & Katie Aiken, Procters Flock)

Closing date for ALL Young Handlers classes will be Monday 26 July

Aged up to 6 years           Wednesday 28 July

Aged 7 to 11 years           Thursday 29 July

Aged 12 to 16 years        Friday 30 July

Young handler champion and reserve will be announced on Saturday 31 July

Commercial (Judge: Joanne Hall, Inglewood Edge)

Closing date for ALL commercial classes will be Sunday 1 August

Group of commercial ewes, up to 10        Tuesday 3 August

Group of commercial shearling ewes, up to 10     Tuesday 3 August

Trio of commercial ewes with twins         Tuesday 3 August

Group of commercial lambs, up to 20 (out of lowland ewe)           Wednesday 4 August

Group of commercial lambs, up to 20 (out of upland ewe)             Wednesday 4 August

Commercial champion and reserve will be announced on Thursday 5 August

Guidelines – Pedigree & Commercial classes

• Entries must be relevant to the current show season, ie, lambs must have been born in 2021.
• Pedigree entries may be dressed or shown naturally, that is up to the exhibitor, but commercial entries MUST be shown in their natural state.
• Pedigree entries must be fully registered with the exception of lambs, which must at least be birth notified.
• In the commercial section, the group for judging MUST be sired by a Beltex ram. Classes for breeding ewes may be split into upland/lowland dams depending on entry numbers.
• Commercial groups must be a minimum of three individuals, up to the specified limit.
• You may submit a continuous-shot video up to 30 seconds per entry. Please try to avoid people or signs in submissions to keep entries anonymous for judging.
• Entries will close at 5pm two days before the first show date in order to give time to collate the classes. As such, pedigree entries must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday 20 July, commercial entries must be submitted by 5pm on Sunday 1 August. No late entries will be accepted.
• Send entries to Kayley via WhatsApp on 07375 563809 (preferred option) or email to [email protected]. Please include class name, owner name and farm name/flock prefix when submitting.
• When entering the pedigree trio of lambs by the same sire class, please name the sire.
• Classes will be collated and displayed on Facebook on the morning of judging, with results posted later in the day. All videos and results will also be shared on the Beltex Sheep Society website.

Guidelines – Young Handlers

• The age group is defined by the age of the young handler on the day entries close (26 July).
• Please submit your entries in a continuous-shot video up to one minute in length.
• Within your video, please tell us a bit of information on your sheep, let the sheep go then catch it and stand it up again.
• Young handlers may wish to show a pedigree Beltex sheep or a Beltex-sired sheep, that is their choice.
• Entries will close at 5pm two days before the first show date in order to give time to collate the classes – young handler entries close at 5pm on Monday 26 July.
• Send entries to Kayley via WhatsApp on 07375 563809 (preferred option) or email to [email protected]. Please include young handler name and age as well as farm name/flock prefix when submitting.
• Classes will be collated and displayed on Facebook on the morning of judging, with results posted later in the day. All videos and results will also be shared on the Beltex Sheep Society website.