Cheviot winners represent best of breed

Peter Simpson, Chain Gate, took out the supreme champion ribbon with his ram, also winning the top prize for one of his ewes.

Judge Helen Raven said it was quite a difficult decision, as both the ewe and ram were a credit to their owner.

"The ewe I awarded the championship ribbon is a very nice type of ewe," Ms Raven said.

"The ram was a neat, compact sheep, which had a nice fleece on him and plenty of meat.

"He had nice shoulders and head."

She said the Cheviots were pretty good examples of the stud's animals, particularly the ones that won the championship ribbons.

"The ewe had a very nice fleece on her, a nice body, and beautiful feminine head," she said.

"She walked very well, stood up nicely and will make a great mother.

"She was a typical Cheviot ewe."

She said it was difficult when there were only a small number of exhibitors, as the lack of choice made it harder to judge.

"You don't necessarily have the quality of the sheep, but Peter's sheep were very good quality sheep, so I was happy to give them the prizes," she said.

Mr Simpson said it had been a tough season, but rain over the last few weeks had been enough to get some grass growing.

"Up until that point, we have had a few tough years," Mr Simpson said

The judge had picked the ram because of his good fleece and carcase.

While Cheviots were not widely sought at the moment, Mr Simpson said their genetics could be valuable in the future.

He said Chain Gate was founded in 1957, and it would be nice to keep it going "for a little bit longer".

"Cheviots are good on their feet, they have good, hard, black feet, so there are no foot problems, they are easy lambing and good mothers," he said.

"There are certainly some good things about them."