A NEW record was set for entries in the sheep section for this year’s show. Local winners from the Post area included Victoria and Lorna Gregory, of Boyton, whose received breed champion with their sheep from their Bursyepark Beltex flock. They also won the title of breed champion and the John Marshall memorial cup in 2011 at the Royal Cornwall Show.

Lorna said her father Roy Penfold passed away this year, making the win for them particularly special. She said: “He always wanted us to do well.”

Victoria said: “I was so excited when I won, the judge asked me to stop thanking him!”

Rob Hoadley of St Gennys who kicked off his showing season at Royal Cornwall and will also be going to Launceston, Holsworthy and Stratton and Camelford shows, said: “I try to support the local shows and Royal Cornwall Show.”

Show officials said numbers of sheep competing at the show have steadily increased in recent years. This year’s entry of 1,294 represents a healthy increase of 44 over the previous high which was set in 2012 when 1,250 entries were received. Last year saw the third highest turnout recorded with 1,219.

Mary Andrews, departmental steward for sheep, was pleased with the impressive total of entries.

She said: “It’s a healthy entry all round and is just the result we were hoping for.”

Hampshire Downs increased from 94 to 104 and was the highest single breed entry in the show’s history. The Beltex, Ryeland, Scottish Black Faced and Texel breeds also all saw significant increases in support.

Two breeds gained sufficient support to enable them to have classes in their own right this year. The North Country Cheviot and Shetland sheep breeds received 33 and 30 entries respectively and saw them step out of the Any Other Pure Breed of British Native origin classes.

The Southdown Sheep Society celebrated its 125th year and selected Royal Cornwall as its local anniversary show. It presented the 21 exhibitors of the breed at the show with a commemorative rosette.

The fleece competition celebrated its 20th year. Competitive fleece classes were first introduced at Royal Cornwall in 1996.