Franna and Gem at the Island County Fair
We had a great time at the Fair! The weather was cool to warm and dry for the most part. It was really comfortable for the animals, and people could put on layers in the morning.
We had the FIRST EVER Registered Gotland show in the US on Friday with 2 yearling ewes and 4 ewe lambs entered. The sheep represented Gotland sires from the UK and from New Zealand and foundation breeds - Finnsheep and Border Leicesters.
The Grand Champion Gotland ewe was our very own Gotland yearling, EverRanch Gem - shown below.
Later in the day, Gem was judged Supreme Ewe (Best Ewe in Show) over 6 other Grand Champion Ewes! Joanne's yearling ram, Windy Hill Roku was awarded Grand Champion NC Ram (the whole NC class were Gotland Cross sheep), and Supreme Ram in show. The 4 of us are shown below.
I have other results to report, and I'll post them when I get some more sheep photos. It's really hard to get photos when you're running around gathering sheep, changing halters, putting sheep away and getting them back out. whew! Thanks to DH, Dave for the photos of Gem and Roku.
After awards, I put the ribbons and rosettes up above the sheep on their stall cards. It looked pretty good! This is my "adult ewe" pen. See those nice rosettes?
When I came back the next morning, all the rosettes were in the straw but the one on the left - Chloe's Reserve Champion NC Ewe rosette.
When I came back the next morning, all the rosettes were in the straw but the one on the left - Chloe's Reserve Champion NC Ewe rosette.
Chloe had climbed the wall, pulled down and nibbled on everyone else's rosettes but her own! Hmmmmmmm. The picture of innocence.
7 comments:
Congratulations, Franna! What a thrill that had to be.
That little Chloe may be a 'stinker' but she sure is CUTE!
Gem is a gorgeous girl; congratulations on your wonderful results! Did you sell any, or were any for sale? I need to move three to four more in order to bring home those treasures from Jim....
Congratulations Franna! What a wonderful show...wish I could have been there. Really beautiful sheep. I luv hearing about the Gotlands of course!
Thank you. We think Gem is pretty special. She's one of those sheep that just likes to "hang" with anyone in her pasture. Chloe is special, too, more like a Shetland in a Gotland/Finn package.
Michelle, we've sold a few sheep. None specifically at the fair, but there was a lot of interest. Good luck in getting the sheep from Jim!
Nancy, We get some really nice HST's with the Finn background. Unfortunately, the Gotland standard calls for a solid sheep! HST spots are accepted if the pelt itself is solid.
Hi Franna,
nice to see the clear pics of Gotlands, and I like their look.
The last ewe looks so Finn like to me-- so of course, I think she's adorable. Congratulations on what you have accomplished bringing that breed along in the U.S.
Congratulations Franna! Those Gotland sheep are so beautiful.
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