Father and daughter Julian and Alice Newth scooped their sixth Interbreed Pig Championship at the Royal Bath & West Show on Thursday (28 May). The local family from Prestleigh, Somerset, claimed the title with their three year-old British Saddleback boar Prestcombe Golden Arrow 15.
Sired by Prestcombe Golden Arrow 6, who won at the Devon Country Show in May and at the Bath & West Show in 2011, he has winning in his genes. Judging the pigs was Brian Mulkeen, from Drummersfield Farm, Wigan. “The boar was superb for his age, and you really don’t see many as good as him,” he said. “He is a really good pig. He walked well and really showed himself off.”
Mr Newth only lives around the corner from the Bath & West showground where he also has 115 dairy cows and 30 Suffolk and Jacob ewes, alongside 30 Landrace, Large White and Pietrain sows. The family’s next challenge will be competing at the Three Counties Show in June. “We are chuffed to bits to win; we love doing it and just want to improve all the time,” said Alice.
In reserve spot was a Large White sow from Steven Loveless of Sunrise Farm, Bridport, Dorset. Homebred Portbredy Dainty Lady is by Portbredy Champion Boy and out of her namesake Portbredy Dainty Lady. Mr Loveless was showing alongside his daughter Hayley and both will be heading to the Royal Cornwall Show this week.
In the sheep ring, a Scotch Blackface ram shown by Stuart Cornelius came up top. The three year-old ram came from Scotland and Mr Cornelius bought him as a stock ram for his 150 ewes at Orchard Farm, Camelford, Cornwall. He also keeps Devon and Cornwall Longwools and some Texel sheep. “It takes three days of hard work before the show but it is worth it,” he said.
The reserve title went to John Carter, of Millcroft Farm, Dawlish, Devon, for his Rouge shearling ewe. Mr Carter also won the any other continental breed section at last year’s Bath & West Show.
The Royal Bath & West Show was held from 27-30 May. For more information visit www.bathandwest.com or call 01749 822200.