2006 Sheep Show - A Royal Event
By Courtney Denard

Country came to the city this past November at the annual Royal Agriculture Winter Fair  (RAWF) held at Exhibition Place in Toronto.  And as it is every year, sheep showing is a major attraction at the fair.

The sheep show has been a part of the RAWF since the first Royal in 1922, and surprisingly little has changed since then.  There were ten different breeds of sheep shown at the 1922 fair with exhibitors coming from Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and one even hailing from Vermont.  In 2006, there were also ten different breeds of sheep shown in the Breeding Sheep Show with exhibitors from Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Maritimes.

Over the course of the RAWF, there are many events that involve sheep producers from all over Canada.  These include the Market Lamb Show, the New Crop Milk Lamb Show, the Breeding Sheep Show, the Royal Junior Sheep Show and the Ladies Lead and Wool Competition, to name a few.  Jason Emke of Grey County and Louis Kontos of Toronto judged the Market Lamb and New Crop Lamb Shows respectively, while Don Acres of Kinburn, Ontario acted as official judge for the 2006 Breeding Sheep Show.

The Market Lamb Show and the New Crop Milk Lamb Show were both held on November 7th, with the Market Lamb Auction taking place that evening.  Ten year old Kade Earley of Kerwood, Ontario took Grand Champion of the Market Lamb Show, with William Mark of Little Britain, Ontario taking second.  Kevin Bishop of Bluevale, Ontario was Grand Champion of the Pen of Three Competition, while Gordon Walker of Glencoe, Ontario placed second.  Results of the New Crop Milk Lamb Show were Tyler Miller of Elmwood, Ontario placing first and Shayrina Sheep Farm of Bluevale, Ontario coming in second. 

The 2006 Breeding Sheep Show was held on November 9th and 10th with all breeds showing over the two days and finishing up with the final Trophy Classes on November 11th.  There was definitely some excitement on the first day of the show as Brent Butt of CBC’s hit show ‘Corner Gas’ stopped by for lunch, participating in the Chili Cheese Dog Eating Contest.  Results of the 2006 Breeding Sheep Show saw Marc Charpentier of Victoriaville, Quebec taking Grand Champion Ram, while Strathearl Farms of Rockwood, Ontario had the Grand Champion Ewe (as well as First Prize Flock).  Hugh and Joanne Todd of Lucknow, Ontario won Best Get of Sire.  Hunterdown Farm of Smith Falls, Ontario got a hat trick this year winning Best Flock of Long-wooled Sheep, Best Get of Sire Long-wooled Sheep and Premier Exhibitor.  Premier Breeder went to Cornerstone of Dutton, Ontario.

There was strong interest this year in the popular Royal Junior Sheep Show which took place on November 11th.  In fact, interest was so high; an extra class had to be added to adequately handle the number of entrants in the show.  Kyle Seguin won the 2006 Grand Champion Showperson and Gary Finlay won the 2006 Grand Champion Lamb.

Competing in the Ladies Lead and Wool- a youth speaking, knowledge and showmanship competition- contestants are judged on costume, poise and appearance of contestant, and control and presentation of animal.  This year’s winner was Crystal Hanes, with Lee Ann Nelson taking second place.

Sponsorship for the Breeding Sheep Show was provided by Vita-Tech Laboratories, while the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency supported the Market Lamb Show.  A special thank you is extended to the 2006 Market Lamb Buyers as well as Wally’s Meats, Mr. Greek and Homer’s Meats.

In 2006, the Royal attracted over 345,000 attendees and approximately 7,500 international visitors over the ten days of shows and events.  A buzz is already in the air for the 2007 Royal Agriculture Winter Fair, which is being held from November 2-11 and promises to be the biggest, the best and the countriest show yet!