We were very pleased to welcome Julia and Barry Watson over to the States for the annual MASS show in Jefferson, WI this September! A few words from the Watson’s (no relation to Sue watson who came over last year to judge!) below:

"Barry & Julia live on the West Cumbrian coast where we farm sheep on about 90 acres of mixed ground. For over 30 years we have had Shetland sheep, to start with we used to cross them with the Border Leicester and sell the lambs as stores. Today there are 120 breeding ewes, 40 gimmer lambs and far too many rams. Because we still run a large commercial flock, all colours have been kept, white/black/moorit/grey/grey katmoget/fawn/musket/spotties, though in the years since we began showing we now mostly breed colour to colour.

In 2004, we joined the Shetland Sheep Society and formed the Muncaster Shetlands, a year or so later, we started to show our home-grown stock and whilst we did well in AOB classes, it took a little longer to have the same success with SSS judges, but we persisted. We talked to other members who exhibited and sourced better-quality sheep by buying directly from the breeders & it wasn’t too long before we started winning. In the years that have followed, the Muncaster Shetlands have been forward for over 40 championships and hardly ever the same sheep, which means we have a high percentage of prize winners within the flock. Our best year was 2018 when we attended 8 shows, winning 4 championships, 3 reserve championships, a wool on the hoof championship, best lamb, best black and reserve fleece champion at the SSS national. Highlight of 2018, being judged by Addie Doull, renowned breeder from Shetland at the GYS, where he gave our shearling Female champion & reserve breed champion plus being placed 1st & 2nd in the group class with our white Shetlands."