Beltex Champions

Category	Breed	Breeder Name
Male Champion	1st Place Shearling Ram	T Buckle
Reserve Male Champion	1st Place Ram Lamb	J Wilkinson
Female Champion	1st Place Shearling Ewe	J Wilkinson
Reserve Female Champion	1st Place Ewe Lamb	J Wilkinson
Overall Champion	1st Place Shearling Ewe	J Wilkinson
Reserve Overall Champion	1st Place Ewe Lamb	J Wilkinson

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Langlands Ladies Lead the Way at the Great Yorkshire Show

A stunning summer’s day provided the backdrop for a competitive and high-quality Beltexsection at the 2025 Great Yorkshire Show, where strong entries and sharp stock brought plenty of attention ringside. Judge Matthew Prince had the challenging task of sorting through a quality field, ultimately tapping out a stylish shearling ewe from J & S Wilkinson as Overall Champion.

That leading lady, Langlands Kirsty ET, born 6 February 2024, is by Matt’s Joker ET and out of Langlands Honey ET. From the Langlands flock of Jeff, Sue and Steve Wilkinson, she later went on to stand Reserve Inter-Breed Champion – a tremendous achievement in a tough field.

Speaking after the judging, Steve Wilkinson said: “She’s a Matt’s Joker ewe which we borrowed from Kayley and Nick Gill, fortunately, because our tup went wrong that year.

“It was really lucky we borrowed him because he bred some really good sheep for us.”

Reserve Overall Champion also came from the Wilkinson team – a ewe lamb, Langlands Lish ET, born 6 February 2025. By Buckles Jericho ET and out of Langlands Jersey ET, she stood Reserve Female before going one better in the final line-up.

In the male section, Champion went to a smart shearling ram from T. Buckle, who impressed with his style and presence. He was followed as Reserve Male by a well-balanced ram lamb from J Wilkinson, who also secured first and second in the ram lamb class.

The Pairs and Group of Three classes were hotly contested, with Nick & Kayley Gill, and Robert Garth & Sarah Priestley taking top honours respectively.

Judge, Matthew Prince said: “It was a fantastic show of sheep all through, and I’d like to thank all exhibitors for coming out. It was a fantastic day.”

On a day blessed with blue skies and sunshine, the Beltex breed was superbly represented with depth, style and commercial appeal – a real credit to the exhibitors and the ongoing strength of the breed at one of the UK’s premier shows.

WATCH – Steph Ryder caught up with Great Yorkshire Show judge Matthew Prince and Champion breeders, The Wilkinson’s, to hear more about the competition!