Breaking the ice

Icelandic sheep are a true multi-purpose breed, producing meat, milk and wool, says Tim Tyne, who was recently asked to judge Icelandics for an online show

- Tim Tyne

Recently I was invited by the Icelandic Sheep Breeders of the British Isles (ISBOBI) to judge its inaugural online show. Nothing particularly unusual about that you might be thinking, until you consider that I don’t keep Icelandic sheep, never have kept Icelandic sheep and probably never will keep Icelandic sheep!

What I do have, though, is 35 years of shepherding experience, having kept and worked with a huge range of different breeds under diverse management regimes in flocks both large and small. What I don’t have is any prejudicial preference for a certain type or colour of Icelandic sheep, any favouritism for certain flocks, or any temptation to judge the exhibitors rather than their exhibits.

My impartiality is beyond doubt quite simply because I know nothing of the individual breeders or any of the internal politics of their association. It would be a wonderful thing, I think, if more breed societies would follow the example of the ISBOBI and appoint judges from outside their own clique. That way they would get a totally fresh (and sincere) opinion on their sheep, and a whole lot less back scratching. While it could easily result in a few ‘top’ breeders being taken down a peg or two, it might also allow some less well known flock owners (who may nonetheless have good quality animals) to shine.