Thirteen year old Kingsley pupil Poppy Godwin has an unusual talent - she is a champion sheep handler! Poppy's interest in sheep started on her 10th birthday with the arrival of 2 ewes, each of which had one lamb. Her family now has a small flock of twenty pedigree Zwartbles sheep, a Dutch breed.

Poppy thoroughly enjoys looking after her sheep and all that is involved in preparing them to show: washing, trimming, halter breaking, feeding.  The shows are the highlight of the year, usually involving an overnight stay in the back of the pony trailer.  Lambing time is also very exciting, and requires a good deal of accurate record keeping so that the pedigree certificates can be produced correctly. 

Last year at The Royal Show Poppy was very pleased to be placed with one of her ewes, and even more delighted to win The Duke of Edinburgh Stockmanship Award, which involved stock judging cattle, sheep and pigs and taking part in an agricultural quiz.  At the Worcester Show and Sale her home-bred ram Bart, which had won at Moreton Show, went on to win Reserve Champion Male sheep.

Poppy at the Three Counties Show

So far this year Poppy has exhibited at The Three Counties Show, winning a few rosettes with her sheep, as well as being placed first in the Under 21s Young Handler Competition.  She is looking forward to showing her sheep at The Royal Show in July, where she will also be competing in the stockmanship competition and the new young handler class.  Poppy's ambition is to breed a champion sheep!