The Berkshires certainly livened up the pig rings at Devon this year!

All was going to plan, the boars had been in the ring and been sorted out by the judge Mr Jonathan Cloke from Solihull. The sows had paraded calmly around. Even the July gilts were well behaved.
Then came the January gilts.

One of mine decided to 'do a runner' on the way to the ring. Unfortunately the way she ran was through the inviting wide open space that was the entrance to the second ring where about 10 relatively demure January Saddleback gilts were 'trotting their stuff'. I knew immediately I was in for a bit of verbal banter from the ringside and sure enough they didn't fail me. The 'modern' pig exhibitors were laughing so much they didn't rush to help. I tried for what seemed like ages to get my gilt out of the Saddleback ring, but it was probably only a minute or so. There was no way I was going to succeed on my own, she was fast.

Then eventually a few people rallied round to help, they informed me that Arthur never got his Gloucester Old Spot gilt into the ring at all this morning'. Very encouraging. Well, about 5 of us all with pig boards did manage to guide her into the correct ring but she didn't impress the judge and was third of 4 entries. And then she wouldn't leave the ring. She was there for the long term.

As I needed to bring my sow back into the ring for the female championship I had a quick word with the steward and he agreed I could leave the gilt with my assistant, so as not to hold things up. So my sow and Ion Todd's 3 winning gilts were brought into the ring where the little gilt was dashing around still, to battle it out for the female championship. I was busy with the sow and I missed seeing my little gilt being steered from the ring apparently having her tail used as a 'rudder'. However, my assistant then came back thinking that his help was needed to similarly evict Maggie Todd's January gilt from the ring. I saw him grab hold of the gilt's ear and her tail and start man-handling her towards the exit gate. Maggie said 'But that's MY pig'. My assistant was about to say 'Well do you want help getting her out or not?' when Maggie continued 'She is SUPPOSED to be in here.... She WON her class'. The penny dropped and one embarrassed person exited the ring alone.

PS: GOOD NEWS - DEVON SHOW NOW HAS CONCRETE BENEATH ITS PIS-PENS

Berkshire Champion Classes.
I'm pleased to say my sow won. A re-match at Cornwall in June with a different judge is looked forward to, for confirmation of the result.

Interbreed Championship.
For the first time, an Oxford Sandy and Black won the Interbreed, a fine five year old sow.

 

Sue Fildes
07768 625333