Two little lambs turns heads as Isobel, three, becomes the youngest champion

Isobel North, who only recently turned three, clinched the title at the annual Young Farmers show and sale of prime lambs at Skipton Auction Mart.

The youngster from Giggleswick, near Skipton, was showing a black Texel Wether lamb and had first won the class for up to 10-year-olds.

However she would go on to sweep the entire event before seeing the animal in her charge go on to be crowned champion by show judge Robert Garth, of Keasden.

Bred by Isobel’s parents John and Alison North, the victor, one of twin lambs by their Texel sire Garngour Patriot – the other twin was pure white – progressed to achieve top price in show by far when knocked down for £165, or a heady 330p/kg

It was bought by Keelham Farm Shop in Thornton, Bradford, which often buys prime
lamb, beef champions and prize winners at Skipton.

Craven Cattle Marts’ Ted Ogden had high praise for the youngster who turned many heads at the sale this week.

Mr Ogden said: “Such competitions encourage 
young farmers to come and experience showing and 
selling livestock at the mart and all must be congratulated for taking part.

“Our thanks also go to the buyers, who all supported the competitors extremely well when it came to selling their stock.”

In all a total of 27 up-and-coming young farmers participated in the show.

It represented a record turnout in the three years it has been staged.

As well as giving them an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in the competitive world of agriculture – with entries judged on handler, presentation and lamb – it 
also gives hope to the future of farming.

The reserve champion was 20-year-old Amy Bradley, of Brimham Rocks near Harrogate.