RYELAND Down sheep took both the championship and reserve at the annual show and sale of traditional, native and rare breed sheep, cattle, poultry and waterfowl at Craven Cattle Marts' Skipton mart on Saturday, staged in association with the Dales Support Group of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

The champion was a March 2003-born twin shearling ram shown by Peter Conwell, of New Grange Farm, Bradshaw, Halifax, who retired recently, but keeps about 30 Ryelands. "It all started out as a hobby, but has now become a full-time job," he said.

Sylvia Halmshaw of Stobthorne Farm, Brompton, Northallerton, took the reserve championship with her twin Ryeland Down female, also born in March 2003.

The show was part of an annual two-day event at the mart, spearheaded by Grays, of Shenstone, Staffordshire, supplier of Border figurines of agricultural breeds, tractors and wildlife studies.

As show sponsor, Grays' Nick Gray also presented the trophies, including the Dales Support Group Perpetual Challenge Trophy to the champion.

Grays also staged a collectors' sale and auction of Border pieces, as well as providing valuation and repair services for collectors, and help and advice for new collectors.

In the afternoon, Craven Cattle Marts held the latest in its popular series of vintage agri-trader auctions, which also featured working displays of vintage tractors and 4x4 vehicles, a working sheepdog demonstration, rural craft exhibitors and various stalls.Yorkshire Building Society Junior Band provided entertainment.

In addition, an inaugural show and sale of sheep for the Hampshire Down Society drew almost 40 entries and keen trade. "Such was the interest, we now hope to make this an annual event in the North," said Chris Parkinson, of Fishlake, Doncaster, a committee member of the Hampshire Downs Sheepbreeders' Association.