The Farmers Mart Dec-Jan 2019 - Issue 60 | Page 59

HIGH SNAPE FARM 59 • DEC/JAN 2019 RUSSELL GROUP www.russells.uk.com LEADERS IN AGRICULTURE, CONSTRUCTION AND GROUNDCARE EQUIPMENT WISHING WD DOUTHWAITE & PARTNERS EVERY SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE hold over as next year’s shearlings is the squad we select from for our show team each year and we’ve already had our eye on this year’s new stars to hopefully repli- cate our success of 2018.’ ‘Dad wasn’t into showing but I’d taken to it in my 20s and had taken part in stock judging through Harrogate YFC. When he died that all came to a halt while Alan and I settled into running the farm and then I started showing again at Ripley and the Great Yorkshire Show. Twenty years on from my first championship at Harrogate and Amanda has now done the same.’ Chris and Amanda’s selection policy for their show team is based on getting the wool off them in May to really check on how good they are, some good land, a nu- tritious crop and looking after them before going to a show. ‘You never know what they’re going to be like until you’ve clipped them. We also went all out to rent some land not too far from here, the farmer we rented from put stubble turnips in the small field and they came back here bigger and stronger. We’d had the quality previously but that gave us quality and size – and that counts when you’re alongside other quality sheep. By the end of the show season we had on that was as wide as she was tall, was really friendly and knew she was going to a show when you came to the gate.’ Amanda lives in Kiveton Park near Shef- field with her pig farmer partner Matt. They have a paddock where Amanda has start- ed a small flock of Teeswaters so watch this space the showing world. ‘I’ve always been an enthusiastic com- petitor but the fall I had here years ago was that bad I very nearly killed myself. I’d studied equitation and science for five years at Bishop Burton College earning my national diploma and then my degree. I still ride my horse Mousse who I got 10 years ago but don’t compete any longer. Matt and I are both involved with Worksop YFC where he has been chairman.’ The Douthwaites’ livery stables house 22 horses that are mainly DIY livery. Shooting is Chris’ other passion. He shot clays in down the line for England six times from 1999 including a world championship appearance. In 2006 he made the Top 5 in England and competed at Wogga Wogga in Australia. BRANCHES THROUGHOUT YORKSHIRE Please contact our Head Office on: 01653 698000 Brockhills of Yorkshire Ltd, Dalton Lane, Dalton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 3HR. Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] Web: www.brockhills.co.uk Proud suppliers to WD Douthwaite & Partners Dalesbreds are hardy sheep suited well to both upland and lowland farms producing quality carcass lamb for todays market requirements. Secretary: Sarah Fleetwood 07808 781507 www.dalesbredsheep.co.uk D & H PEEL AND SON LIVESTOCK TRANSPORT Proud to be associated with WD Douthwaite & Partners and wish them continued success for the future