This year’s Texel Sheep Society Spotlight Award nominees demonstrated an incredible depth of passion, knowledge and skill, making the task of selecting a winner extremely difficult, according to Society chief executive John Yates.
“All five of this year’s nominees were an absolute pleasure to interview and showed why this award is so important within the Society. They are all excellent ambassadors for the Texel breed, their regional clubs and, importantly, British farming.
“Selecting a winner was not an easy task and every single nominee should be exceedingly proud of themselves. I and my fellow judges, Society chairman Peter Mitchell, Avon Vale, and Society events manager YDP coordinator, Ailish Ross, were immensely impressed with the quality of the nominees and their commitment to the Texel breed.”
The Spotlight award is made to a young breeder under 35 years old and recognises some of the unsung heroes within the breed who work to support their local Texel Club and raise the profile of the breed in the process, explained Mr Yates.
Winning the award this year, the fourth year it has been presented, is Katie Aiken of the Coniston flock. Nominated by the North West Texel Breeders Club, Katie is a familiar face in the Texel breed, with her family, on both sides, heavily involved with the breed.
“Having been born into Texels, Katie has developed a passion for the breed herself and is committed to achieving the best she can in everything she does,” explained Mr Yates.
“Katie exemplifies what makes the Texel Society and, particularly, the Society’s Youth Development Programme, so successful. While striving to further her own achievements, she is quick to support others in achieving their goals and always willing to lend a hand wherever she can with both Society and Club activities.
“That is to take nothing away from the other nominees, Robert Harvie of the Sadlerhead flock, Cai Davies of the Teilo flock, James Dunlop of the Eastfield flock and Henry Summerhayes of the Peacehay and Holywell flocks. Every nominee this year was of an exceptionally high calibre which made interviewing them really enjoyable, but picking a winner a difficult task.
“The judges extend their congratulations to all nominees, it is reassuring to see the future of the breed in such capable hands,” he added.
Learn more about the Spotlight Award here