IT was a tough day for the sheep, wearing heavy woollen coats during a heatwave — however the care and love their owners have for them was evident and all were supplied with ample shade and water throughout the day.

There was a bumper selection of breeds in the sheep arena from the well-know Charollais to the lesser seen Zwartbles.

Having grown up with the show it was great to catch up with Bethany Osborne, of Jacobstow, who was being weighed down by rosettes.

She said: “Had quite a good day today, few first places which is great.

I have 20 Jacob breeding ewes at the moment.

“Showing really helps get your name out there and shows like this are a great way to meet people who will enquire about your sheep.”

Hoping to get a few enquiries of his own was Zwartble farmer Matt Dodd of Liskeard.

He said the breed was previously a fairly uncommon one and he was keen to demonstrate how lovable and kind natured Zwartbles are.

He himself only stumbled across the breed by chance and was full of praise for his flock.

He said: “When I was moving down here I drove past a field and spotted these black sheep. I said to myself then and there ‘I have to have some of those’, and the rest is history.

“This is the first time I have done Camelford and I have to say it is a lovely little one day show.

“There is a real sense of community here and it has been nice to see my friend Julie Russell [of St Clether] a fellow Zwartbles breeder, a great chance for us all to catch up.”

Abby Cornelius of Camelford with ‘Rishi’ a strong-willed Sulfolk (Adrian Jasper)

Another familiar face at the show was Abby Cornelius who was showing with her family from Camelford.

One of the stars on the day was a Sulfolk called ‘Rishi’.

Abby explained: “We watch a lot of Channel 4 racing as a family and there is a Rishi on there; he isn’t named after ‘that’ Rishi!

“He has done very well today and taken home a first place. We also had a first with our Scotch ewe lamb, a third for our ram, second for the ewe hog and a third for the Jacob and second for the shearling. All in all it has been a great day for us.”

Abby said Rishi was a bit of a handful and it was her father who had shown him on the day.

She laughed: “I won’t show him myself, he is a bit of a handful and I don’t think he likes me very much!”

The family has around 30 years experience, with each family member bringing their own strengths to the team.

Abby said: “I love showing, everyone thinks I’m mad for doing it but its a community.”