winner spotlight

Congratulations to Teresa Hromis, 18, from Chichester, New Hampshire, on winning Supreme Champion Ewe at the 2018 North East Youth Sheep Show in West Springfield, Massachusetts with her Champion Natural Colored Romney Ewe! Read our interview with Teresa below.

Congratulations on your win! Tell us a little more about your Supreme Champion ewe.
My supreme ewe Winding Wicks 58 “Tesla” is a bred and owned natural colored spring ewe lamb. She is sired by Chapin 66 “Samson” who was the sire of both my champion Romney ewe and ram at the National Romney Show in 2017. She is out of a Little Hooves ewe “Char-Char” who is one of my favorite brood ewes, and has produced some pretty fantastic show lambs. “Tesla” is a stylish little ewe and I’m really excited to see what she grows into.

For those that have never exhibited at NEYSS, what makes it special?
NEYSS is special because it gives young shepherds from all over the North East and other regions the opportunity to come together to share ideas and exhibit their animals. Besides showing our sheep the crew at NEYSS also provide us with lots of fun activities outside the show ring.

When did you start showing sheep, and who has had the most influence on your show career thus far?
My family has had Romney’s since before I was born, however when I was 8 years old I got my first show lamb from Charlene Carlisle at Little Hooves Romneys. At first, I brought my sheep to county fairs in New Hampshire. When I was 13, I started showing at a few bigger events. Besides my family especially my sister Catherine Hromis who has been by my side, fitting and showing with me since the beginning, Charlene Carlisle has been the most influential person in my show career. She has been supportive and helpful to me and my sister throughout the years, whether it’s making sure we get to all the shows we want to attend or telling us all we need to know about being a good shepherd. I am extremely thankful for Charlene encouraging Catherine and I to work hard and do our best but yet still making sure we’re having fun.

What are your future plans?
I plan on attending college but I haven’t decided if I want to take an ag related program or work in the medical field. However I definitely plan on continuing showing and raising sheep throughout my life.

What are your favorite hobbies outside of the show ring?
I have been pretty busy with sheep related stuff lately, however playing softball has always been something that I enjoy. I’ve played on town, school, and traveling teams.

What sheep shows are on the agenda next?
The next shows that I’m planning on attending will be Woodstock Connecticut, The Big E, Fryeburg Maine, New York Sheep and Wool Festival, and NAILE.

 

 

 

Congratulations to Kyle MacCauley, 21, from Atglen, PA, on winning Supreme Champion Ram at the 2018 North East Youth Sheep Show in West Springfield, Massachusetts with his Champion Tunis Ram! Read our interview with Kyle below.

Congratulations on your win! Tell us a little more about your Supreme Champion Ram.
“Red Fred” is a September born Tunis Ram. He is sired by “Arlan” Spilde 3247, the 2016 NAILE Supreme Champion Ram and out of one of my home raised ewes.

For those that have never exhibited at NEYSS, what makes it special?
It’s a 4 day junior show held at the Big E fairgrounds. There are quiz bowls, skillathons, showmanship and fitting clinics in addition to the show. There is also a huge used equipment auction to help raise funds for the show.

When did you start showing sheep, and who has had the most influence on your show career thus far?
I started showing when I was 7. My brother, Chris helped me show for years and taught me to always enjoy the shows.

What are your future plans?
I still want to raise my Tunis and show some. I will definitely miss the junior shows.

What are your favorite hobbies outside of the show ring?
Traveling with my family and LEGO sculpting.

What sheep shows are on the agenda next?
I’ll go to KILE, Delaware Livestock Expo and NAILE.

 

 

 

Congratulations to Reynolds Stock Farm from Aumsville, OR on winning Supreme Champion Ram at the 2017 NAILE in Louisville, Kentucky with their Champion Dorset Ram! Read our interview with Mike Reynolds of Reynolds Stock Farm below.

Congratulations on having Supreme Champion ram at NAILE! Can you give me some information on the ram that won? Name, breeding, shows won, etc?
“Impulse” Reynolds Stock Farm 0718. He is by a Pope ram and out of RSF 1402. RSF 1402 is by RSF 1203 and out of RSF 1135, the dam of “Simon” RSF 1503, last year's Champion Ram at Louisville. “Impulse” was shown just once prior to Louisville at the Oregon State Fair where he was Champion Ram, he was a member our Gold Bell Winning Young Flock at the Oregon State Fair as well. Thanks to Olivia Waggoner for doing such a fantastic job showing him in the Supreme drive. Also thanks to Pine Ridge Dorsets (Byron and Olivia Waggoner) on giving him a great home.

What is your background in the sheep industry? When did you start showing & what has kept you at it?
I’ve been raising Polled Dorsets since sometime around 1980 when my Dad bought some ewes from Ray Warren. We had always had some Hamp cross ewes around, but when Dad brought home the Dorsets, the Hamps were gone and the barn was mine. I always say my sheep are a 4-H project that never quit. Mom and Dad let me learn the hard way. I made all the breeding and feeding decisions. Went to every county fair I could and finally made the trek to the State Fair. Losing is a powerful learning tool, and I did a lot of that initially. I think standing at the bottom of the class looking up taught me more than anything has in the sheep industry.

What is your favorite stud buck that you ever had, and why?
This is a tough one but I think ”Titan” RSF 0422 is my favorite. He was our first Champion at Louisville and in my opinion was pretty much ideal in regards to what the Dorset breed needs. “Sampson” comes in a close second, he reminded me a lot of “Titan” who was his grand sire.

What is your favorite part of raising sheep?
What's gonna happen with that breeding is what keeps me interested. Sometimes I’ll just sit out in the barn after feeding and watch them eat, helps me think.

What is something about your breeding program that you pride yourself on?
Producing a consistent product. Raising good sheep that do good things for other breeders.

Do you have a “regular job”? If so, what is it and what do you enjoy most about it?
I am a veterinarian. I own a couple of mixed animal practices and very much enjoy the relationships I’ve made with my clients. At this point of my career I enjoy the business side as much as the medical and surgical side. Improving the client experience and providing a fun and interesting work environment for my employees is what drives me.

What are some of your hobbies outside of the show ring?
Even after multiple knee surgeries playing soccer is my favorite hobby.

If you could pick anywhere to go on vacation, where would it be and why?
Someplace warm with no responsibilities.

what is your favorite sports team?
I am a big fan of the Portland Trail Blazers, Portland Timbers and anything Oregon State.

What is one thing that you cannot leave the house without?
I’m embarrassed to say but my phone. I used to make fun of people all the time but now I’m addicted

 

 

 

Congratulations to Ruby Mountain Sheep Company from Spring Creek, NV, on winning Supreme Champion Ewe at the 2017 NAILE in Louisville, Kentucky with their Champion Suffolk Ewe! Read our interview with Cynthia Huckins of Ruby Mountain Sheep Co. below.

Congratulations on having Supreme Champion Ewe at NAILE! Can you give me some information on the ewe that won? Name, breeding, shows won, etc?
"O Wow" Ruby Mtn 1603, was our second Supreme Ewe at N.A.I.L.E. Her mother was "Jackie O" Ruby Mtn 1304, that was Supreme Ewe in 2014. Jackie O was a Joaquin, Ream 11JD3, and "O Wow" was sired by "SchamWOW" Schambow 3456. On the trip home from Louisville, one of the thoughts that we had was - has a supreme ewe at Louisville ever been the offspring of a supreme ewe?

What is your background in the sheep industry? When did you start showing & what has kept you at it?
My grandparents raised sheep that consisted of white faced commercial ewes and my husband’s family also had a commercial sheep operation that consisted of Columbia and Rambouillet cross. I have had a love of sheep my whole life but my limit to showing was as a kid in 4-H. We had a small number of sheep that my daughter also showed in 4-H and FFA, but never ventured past a state level. When my daughter went to college I wanted to concentrate my efforts on raising high quality, big, beautiful Suffolk sheep that would be competitive on a national level. I started to show my sheep where they could get some exposure. Living in Nevada no one would know about them had I not taken them out.

What is your favorite stud buck that you ever had, and why?
I have thought a lot about this question and there have been several, but "Grand Canyon," Ruby Mtn 6119, was the buck that put us on the map. We raised him, used him as a lamb and then sold him at The Nugget Sale in Reno as a yearling to Tom Burke for $15,000. His daughters and granddaughters still remain as part of our foundation ewes.

What is your favorite part of raising sheep?
I like going out and feeding twice a day, I like watching them grazing in a field. I have a love/hate relationship with lambing, but I'm always thinking about the next mating or making them better.

What is something about your breeding program that you pride yourself on?
I pride myself in the consistency of my ewes and the predictability of their offspring.

Do you have a “regular job”? If so, what is it and what do you enjoy most about it?
I have been fortunate enough to be able to stay home and raise my sheep for the last 15 years. I try to take up the slack for my family where it is needed as they all have jobs or careers that are very demanding. Before, I was a dealer in casino, had a Postal Contract that was 126 miles round trip and worked in a beauty shop as a nail technician.

What are some of your hobbies outside of the show ring?
I love my husband, home, yard and corgis! I also enjoy making decorated specialty cookies for weddings and special occasions. I also read a lot in the winter.

What is one thing that you cannot leave the house without?
I try to never leave the house without my list of things I need in town.

If you could travel to anywhere on earth, where would it be?
On my bucket list, I would love to go to New Zealand and Australia.

Most embarrassing moment at a livestock show?
I have had several embarrassing moments! Falling in the show ring, going the wrong way, but the most embarrassing was trying to sell a yearling Ram in Reno and he was trying to lay down the whole time. He never did stand up!

 

 

 

Congratulations to Lexy Grace, 15, from Westmoreland, NH, on winning Supreme Champion Ram at the 2017 North East Youth Sheep Show in West Springfield, Massachusetts with her Champion Southdown Ram! Read our interview with Lexy below.

Congratulations on your win! Tell us a little more about your Supreme Champion Ram.
My supreme ram Sunrise 1162 "Lights Out" is bred and owned, and sired by Rincker 800 "Full Throttle" who was National Southdown Junior Show Champion Ram in 2015. He is dammed by Sunrise "Whisper" who was Supreme Ewe at NEYSS in 2014 and was National Junior Show Champion at NAILE 2014.

For those that have never exhibited at NEYSS, what makes it special?
NEYSS was my first show when I started at the age of four. I have been showing there for 11 years and I've met some incredible people and have made lifelong friendships.

When did you start showing sheep, and who has had the most influence on your show career thus far?
My parents have had the most influence in my show career. They consistently encourage me to work hard and do my best. They have been my biggest supporters throughout the years.

What are your future plans?
After high school I plan on attending college to pursue a position in the medical field.

What are your favorite hobbies outside of the show ring?
Outside of showing sheep, my favorite hobby is barrel racing.

What sheep shows are on the agenda next?
The shows I'm planning on attending next are Woodstock, Connecticut; The Big E; Fryeberg, Maine; and NAILE.

 

 

 

Congratulations to Ethan Kennedy, 21, from Canandaigua NY, on winning Supreme Champion Ewe at the 2017 North East Youth Sheep Show in West Springfield, Massachusetts with his Champion Romney Ewe! Read our interview with Ethan below.

Congratulations on your win! Tell us a little more about your Supreme Champion ewe.
The supreme ewe is a bred and owned white yearling ewe we call "Lacie." She was the late ewe lamb that I showed all last year and was Champion Ewe at All American, NEYSS, and NAILE Jr Show last year. She is one of the last ewes out of the great Julian and Moore 222 ram we called "Chop" that was pulled in Supreme at the 2012 NAILE Open Show and has sired a lot of great sheep for us. "Lacie" is one of those ewes that's just fun to show! Ewes this good do not come around very often especially in one of the minor breeds. What made this win really cool was that it was the first time a Romney has won an individual supreme at NEYSS.

For those that have never exhibited at NEYSS, what makes it special?
NEYSS has always been on of my favorite shows, but what makes it really special is that the show staff really makes a point of making sure that the kids do all the work. There are no parents fitting sheep or even getting them ready for the shows. The exhibitors are the ones doing all the work and they ask friends to fill in where parents might at a show where they are allowed too. I think this is a great model for junior shows that should be adopted at more shows!

When did you start showing sheep, and who has had the most influence on your show career thus far?
I starting showing market lambs just at the county fair when I was 6. My parents show beef cows but they were too big for me when I was that young so I got lambs and haven't looked back since. I didn't get purebred Romneys until I was 10 in 2006 but didn't really get out and show much at the big shows until 2010.
Besides my family and all the support that they have given me with the sheep, Ed Julian has been by far the most influential person in my show career. I really do owe it all to Ed and the valuable sheep and life lessons that he has taught me. I was extremely fortunate to have him take me under his wing as a young 15 year old and really teach me how to be successful in the sheep industry.

What are your future plans?
As of right now I'm looking to go to medical school once I finish my bachelor's degree this December from Cornell. It is definitely a long road but I'm really looking forward to the opportunities that it has to offer.

What are your favorite hobbies outside of the show ring?
Well between a pre-med curriculum at school and the amount of time I put into the sheep I don't have a lot of time for other things but I really like to just relax with friends and have a good time as well as work out. Up until the summer of 2015 I was also a Jr National level curler so that took up a lot of time traveling from tournaments all over the US and Canada.

What sheep shows are on the agenda next?
With my last semester of undergrad starting next month and the amount of work I have to do, the fall show season will be pretty minimal for us. As of right now the only for sure plan is NAILE. Although after this win and the All American win we might try to get a few of the better show sheep to the Big E - but that's still up in the air.