IF there’s one thing that can be said about the bumper entry of 62 young handlers, it’s that the sheep industry is in safe hands for the coming years as all showed great knowledge of their sheep and a strong keenness for the industry.

Judge John Dykes, of South Slipperfield, West Linton, had a tough time whittling the two age groups – aged nine and under, and aged 10 to 14 – down to the top few, but had an even tougher time splitting the top two from each section.

His champion, however, was 14-year-old Lewis Runciman, who as well as expertly showing his two-crop North Country Cheviot ewe, helped his father, Roderick ‘Rocket’ Runciman, show Northies from the Allanshaws flock, near Galashiels, on the Thursday of the show. He’s been competing in the young handlers at the Highland for the past few years and was delighted to win his first red ticket, having previously taken home a number of second and third prizes, but was honoured to take the top title.

“The competition was fierce and it was great to see so many youngsters doing well, but Lewis did everything right,” commented Mr Dykes. “He kept his eyes on the judge and his sheep was always standing right.”

Mr Dykes was also full of praise for the reserve champion, eight-year-old Robbie Aiken, who won the overall two years ago. He was showing a Beltex tup lamb, Proctors Cipriani, from the flock at Slaidburn, Lancashire, which is managed by his father and mother, Jeff and Jennifer Aiken.

Second to Lewis in the senior section was Finn Christie, 13, another who has done well in the competition and was showing a Suffolk tup lamb, while eight-year-old Thomas Goldie was second in the juniors with his Zwartbles tup lamb.

LEADING awards:

Judge: J Dykes, West Linton.

Champion – Lewis Runciman; reserve – Robbie Aiken.

Nine-years-old and under – 1, R Aiken; 2, T Goldie; 3, G Milne.

10 to 14-years-old – 1, L Runciman; 2, F Christie; 3, F Shone.