More than 40 entries were forward for the Skipton branch of the North of England Mule Sheep Association's (NEMSA) progeny show of Bluefaced Leicester rams and Mule progeny at Skipton Auction Mart, a home-bred entry from the national chairman came out tops

NEMSA chairman Kevin Wilson, and his son, James, from Blubberhouses, led the entry with their home-bred 2018-born Bluefaced Leicester ram, Hewness L1, and his three Mule ewe lambs.

The same tup – a son of the Harland F1 Bighead, was also responsible for the Wilsons’ single ewe lamb that won the NEMSA championship and progressed to become champion commercial female at last month’s Great Yorkshire Show.

The progeny show reserve champion was the winner of the aged Bluefaced Leicester ram class owned and bred by Wharfedale’s Francis Caton and his son, James, from Weston, Otley. Their J10 Weston is a son of the Smearsett Ted tup.

Judges were Geoff Taylor, of the Swathburn flock of Bluefaced Leicesters at Great Asby, Appleby, and David Watson, of the Middleton Hall flock from Kirkby Lonsdale.

The stock judging competition for Mule ewes and gimmers, Bluefaced Leicester and Swaledale gimmers saw the men’s section won by Alan Watson, of Kirkby Lonsdale, with Skipton’s Milly Eaton leading the women’s class.

Nick Bowker, of Cowling, and Geoff Lawn, from Skipton, along with Samantha Fawcett, of Barden, and Helen Bright, from Derbyshire, finished second and third in their respective classes.