American Southdown Breeders E-Letter
American Southdown Sheep Breeders,
100 Cornerstone Road,Fredonia,TX 76842
Gary JenningsE-mail: southdown@ctesc.net
Web site: http://www.southdownsheep.org
VIEW ALL-AMERICAN PHOTOS HERE
It’s all about having fun!
I’m flying home on Monday morning, July 6th, after the All-American Junior Show in Greenville, Ohio. I have been to a number of All-American Shows over the years but have missed the past several. My absence from these past several shows has only emphasized to me, when present this year, the driving force that has made the shows so successful. That ingredient is fun! From the beginning on Friday morning to the final event on Sunday afternoon, the show was absolutely packed with fun events for the youth. It is a diverse family oriented show that truly is one that everyone should attend.
Southdowns and Southdown youth were once again the dominant force at the show. From the judging contests, essays, posters, photos, showmanship classes and other events our youth were simply outstanding. I can’t say enough good about our youth and their parents. They continue to amaze me!
Finally, the Southdown breeding and market shows were perhaps the best I have seen in many years. Classes were very deep as each new class brought forth a set of outstanding sheep. With the Southdown show having the most numbers of any breed and lasting for eight hours, two things came to my mind as I watched.
First is the maturity of this breed. I watched a number of young breeders do exceptionally well with sheep they raised. The genetics are deep enough and consistent enough for everyone to enjoy raising high quality Southdowns.
Secondly, was the pride of ownership that I saw in the exhibitors. The sheep were fed well, fitted well, and shown well throughout the day. Again, this speaks well of the youth and their parents.
It was a super weekend for all at the 2009 All-American Junior Show. Yesterday, July 5th was a great day for the Southdown breed. But, let us never forget it is all about having fun!!
Champions at the All-American
Champion Ram – Brandon Howard, Mulhall, Oklahoma
Reserve Champion Ram – Cameron Shellhouse, Sycamore, Ohio
Champion Ewe – Derek Wilson, Titusville, Pennsylvania
Reserve Champion Ewe – Milan Pozderac, Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Champion Market Lamb – Klay Verhaeghe, Argos, Indiana
Reserve Champion Market Lamb – Laurie Fitch, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Top Gun Award – John Jones, Rio, Wisconsin
