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Ewe little beauty of a South Suffolk from Pettison Park

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Pettison Park co-principal Rod Simpson with sons Shaun and Brendon Simpson with the ASSBA Interbreed Supreme Champion, a South Suffolk ewe.
Camera IconPettison Park co-principal Rod Simpson with sons Shaun and Brendon Simpson with the ASSBA Interbreed Supreme Champion, a South Suffolk ewe. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman, Cally Dupe

It was the British Breeds’ time to shine at the Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association Interbreed Competition at the Perth Royal Show, with a South Suffolk ewe from Pettison Park named the Supreme Champion.

Exhibited by the Simpson family of Quairading, the ewe was earlier judged Grand Champion during the South Suffolk judging before becoming one of the 2021 Show’s most decorated entries.

The three judges, Jim Glover of JimJan Texel Stud, Colin Holmes of Coljac Border Leicester stud, and Tom O’Neill of Annaghdowns Suffolk stud, unanimously agreed the ewe was the best on show.

Mr Glover — who also named the ewe as Champion Ewe during the South Suffolk competition earlier in the week — said she was well balanced, had plenty of muscle and stood very correct.

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Pettison Park co-principal Rod Simpson with sons Shaun and Brendon Simpson with the ASSBA Interbreed Supreme Champion, a South Suffolk ewe.
Camera IconPettison Park co-principal Rod Simpson with sons Shaun and Brendon Simpson with the ASSBA Interbreed Supreme Champion, a South Suffolk ewe. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman, Cally Dupe

“She was structurally a lot sounder than the ram and it was unanimous amongst us that she was the winner,” he said.

The ewe was up against a ram from Williams-based Iveston.

Pettison Park principal Rod Simpson said the “correct young ewe” was straight, stood on her legs well, was well defined, and was a stand-out in the paddock.

Mr Simpson — whose family registered their Pettison Park South Suffolk stud in 1959 — said his sons inspired him to return to the show ring for the first time in more than 25 years in 2019.

The family plans to take a range of sheep to the Quairading Ag Show’s centenary this weekend.

Rodney and his sons Shaun and Brendan Simpson were flanked by half a dozen family supporters throughout the Perth Royal Show.

“The boys were interested in coming back to the Show, they have used my knowledge over the years to pick the sheep and I am trying to pass on as much as I can to them,” Mr Simpson said.

“I love South Suffolks because you can’t pick them, other breeds stand head and shoulder above them, but the weight is in South Suffolks.

“People find it hard to come to terms with it but they are as heavy as any animal in the shed.”

The winning ewe started the week by taking out the Ewe Under 1.5 Years class in the South Suffolk Competition and ended it with five ribbons, including Champion Ewe and Grand Champion in the South Suffolk Competition, and Champion Ewe and Supreme Champion in the Interbreed Competition.

Australian Stud Sheep Breeders Association Interbreed Competition

Supreme Champion: Pettison Park South Suffolk ewe

Supreme Champion Ram: Iveston South Suffolk

Reserve Champion Ram: Hazeldean Ferguson Shropshire

Supreme Champion Ewe: Pettison Park South Suffolk

Reserve Champion Ewe: Hazeldean Ferguson Shropshire

Supreme Champion Breeders Group: Kalinda Suffolk

Exhibitor Gaining Most Points in Any One Breed of British Breed: Pettison Park

ASSBA INTERBREED RAM: Iveston Suffolk Stud co-principal Stacy Bingham with ASSBA Interbreed Judges Jim Glover, Tom O'Neill and Colin Holmes with the Supreme Champion Ram.
Camera IconASSBA INTERBREED RAM: Iveston Suffolk Stud co-principal Stacy Bingham with ASSBA Interbreed Judges Jim Glover, Tom O'Neill and Colin Holmes with the Supreme Champion Ram. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman, Cally Dupe
SUPREME CHAMPION BREEDERS GROUP: Kalinda Suffolk stud principals Matt Mitsopoulos, Alex Mitsopoulos and Alex Mitsopoulos with the ASSBA Interbreed Supreme Champion Breeders Group.
Camera IconSUPREME CHAMPION BREEDERS GROUP: Kalinda Suffolk stud principals Matt Mitsopoulos, Alex Mitsopoulos and Alex Mitsopoulos with the ASSBA Interbreed Supreme Champion Breeders Group. Credit: Countryman

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