0:00:02 > 0:00:06Across the country, thousands of farming families work
0:00:06 > 0:00:09tirelessly around the clock. SHE GROANS
0:00:09 > 0:00:10Stop arguing, girls!
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Give over!
0:00:12 > 0:00:14HE BLOWS WHISTLE
0:00:14 > 0:00:16But there's one day each year...
0:00:16 > 0:00:20- Ay!- ..where they get to leave the daily routine behind.
0:00:20 > 0:00:21Right, here we come, Dorset!
0:00:23 > 0:00:24These are show days.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27A very, very warm welcome to Melplash Show.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29..where they come together as a community.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31APPLAUSE
0:00:31 > 0:00:33..to showcase the fruits of their labour...
0:00:33 > 0:00:35I just love showing my girls off.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40..and try to win prizes for their breed champions...
0:00:40 > 0:00:41Smashed it!
0:00:42 > 0:00:44..and award-winning produce.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46That's a really nice cheese, that.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50It was very good, darling.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51There will be highs...
0:00:51 > 0:00:52That's what we want to see, red.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Red is the best.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- ..and lows... - She's not happy enough to go.
0:00:57 > 0:01:03..for the dedicated farmers who give everything to walk away a champion.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04Fingers crossed!
0:01:14 > 0:01:17There are over 15 million sheep in the UK.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22And farmers work hard to preserve the heritage of the more than 90
0:01:22 > 0:01:24different breeds found in this country.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Dorset-based couple Jo and Dan Stover,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33and Jon and Justine Barnard
0:01:33 > 0:01:37are all busy preparing for one of the largest agricultural shows in
0:01:37 > 0:01:38the south-west of England.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42A very, very warm welcome to you all here at the Melplash Show.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45If any of their sheep can win prizes,
0:01:45 > 0:01:47it will be a huge boost to their businesses.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Here in picturesque Dorset,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09husband and wife Jon and Justine raise their flock
0:02:09 > 0:02:11of 120 Hampshire Down sheep.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16But sheep farming is a relentless job...
0:02:16 > 0:02:18SHEEP BLEATS
0:02:18 > 0:02:21..with an endless list of things to do that keeps them busy
0:02:21 > 0:02:22around the clock.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30There are days when you don't feel great,
0:02:30 > 0:02:31it's absolutely hideous weather,
0:02:31 > 0:02:35lambing in the middle of winter, and you think...
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Why do you do it? But you do it because you love it.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42And you do it because you see the end product,
0:02:42 > 0:02:46which hopefully is a lovely bunch of lambs, like these.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52The couple are devoted to looking after their sheep.
0:02:54 > 0:02:55And they do it alone.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Except for the support of the family dog.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02We don't have any sheepdogs.
0:03:02 > 0:03:03We've got Lola.
0:03:06 > 0:03:07She's very much a pet and a companion,
0:03:07 > 0:03:11but she's also quite handy with the sheep sometimes.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15But Lola the Spinone does not always get it right
0:03:15 > 0:03:18and can sometimes be more of a hindrance than a help.
0:03:19 > 0:03:20Lola!
0:03:22 > 0:03:25She's just chased the sheep in the wrong direction.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- Jon!- Once Jon brings them back, work can begin.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Let's have the ram, then.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Come on, big chap.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39- SHE GROANS - Says he doesn't want to go.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40Push him on, push him on.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- Come on, big fella. - SHE GROANS
0:03:43 > 0:03:45SHE LAUGHS
0:03:48 > 0:03:51It was a shared passion for animals that first brought Jon and
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- Justine together.- Come on, chaps.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- In you get.- While some fall in love across a crowded room,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01they fell for each other across an agricultural college classroom.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07I always used to notice that he tended to sit next to me.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Took me a while to realise, actually.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11You helped me move house, didn't you?
0:04:11 > 0:04:12Yes, that's how it started.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Spiralled out of control from there!
0:04:15 > 0:04:18When they married in 2008,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22they decided to put their farming qualifications into practice.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24They had an unconventional gift list.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Friends and family contributed towards their
0:04:26 > 0:04:28very first flock of sheep.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34We picked the Hampshires because at the time when we had the money to
0:04:34 > 0:04:36spend from our wedding money,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39it was a breed which was in the local paper
0:04:39 > 0:04:41and we went and had...
0:04:41 > 0:04:44or I went and had a look at them and fell in love with them.
0:04:44 > 0:04:45- Love at first sight, really!- Yeah.
0:04:47 > 0:04:48Come on then, girls.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02Eight years on, their flock grazes on 100 acres of rented farmland,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06which is scattered around the local area, miles from where they live.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Justine and Jon are desperate to have a farm of their own,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14to rid them of the daily commute to their flock.
0:05:14 > 0:05:20Our dream is ultimately to have a farm with a house on site,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22where we can do what most people do
0:05:22 > 0:05:25and just set foot out of the farmhouse door
0:05:25 > 0:05:27and there's your sheep, there's your lambing buildings.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34But of course, their dream comes at a price.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37And to try to help raise the much-needed cash
0:05:37 > 0:05:41the hard-working couple have taken jobs on local dairy farms.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Jon helps out with milking and taking care of the cattle...
0:05:46 > 0:05:50Definitely hard work, it's more a way of life than anything else,
0:05:50 > 0:05:55I would say. We don't have a weekend, it just runs through.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57The morning milkings start around four o'clock in the morning
0:05:57 > 0:06:02and also, along with the relief milking, I trim cows' feet for vets.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07- Lola. - SHE WHISTLES
0:06:07 > 0:06:08Come here, darling.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14..while Justine's second job is at a nearby cattle farm
0:06:14 > 0:06:16helping with their breeding programme.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19All right, chaps.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22It's an aspect of farming that she has a keen interest in
0:06:22 > 0:06:25and applies it to her own livestock.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29I like to know the history of them, I'm very much into the parentage.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33And this drives Jon mad but I'll find a sheep and I'll be able
0:06:33 > 0:06:37to tell you its mother, its granny, its grandfather, whoever.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42But there are aspects of being a farmer that Justine is still coming
0:06:42 > 0:06:43to terms with.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47I didn't ever eat our own lamb when we first started.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49I didn't like the idea.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51To me, they were almost like pets.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57I don't like drafting out lambs for slaughter, but I appreciate that
0:06:57 > 0:06:59that's part and parcel of the job
0:06:59 > 0:07:02and ultimately that is where most of your income comes from.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05It took me four years before I'd actually eat any of the
0:07:05 > 0:07:07lamb that we had produced.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- It does eat very well. - It is really, really good
0:07:11 > 0:07:15but I still don't like to know who that individual lamb is.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- I'll eat anyone!- He's already picked his lamb out there.
0:07:29 > 0:07:30Come on, darling.
0:07:30 > 0:07:31OK, come on.
0:07:33 > 0:07:3630 miles away, also in Dorset, in Beaminster,
0:07:36 > 0:07:41Jo is rounding up the family's flock of rare-breed Portland sheep.
0:07:41 > 0:07:42Come on, sweeties.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49Jo and Dan have lived on this 60-acre farm for six years.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Here we go.
0:07:51 > 0:07:52Here we go.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55Hey, hey, hey, girls!
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Come on! Oh, you're being naughties.
0:07:58 > 0:07:59Go on!
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Get in there, Princess.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Jo is British-born but grew up in America...
0:08:05 > 0:08:08OK. Ah! Good.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11..returning to UK pastures in the late 1980s.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15I know. Well, let's do Princess first,
0:08:15 > 0:08:17make sure that she's looking absolutely smart.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20It was their love of the British countryside
0:08:20 > 0:08:21and the Dorset landscape
0:08:21 > 0:08:23that brought them here to tend sheep.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28I think Bonnie has a dirty bottom, too.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33When we moved to West Dorset,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36I could see right away that this ground really needed sheep -
0:08:36 > 0:08:38and I'd always wanted sheep, anyhow.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42I took a course at an agricultural college and I said,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44"There's no way we're having sheep."
0:08:44 > 0:08:47And then we went to a show and we met Portland people,
0:08:47 > 0:08:48we love the sheep,
0:08:48 > 0:08:50so I let Dan buy his sheep -
0:08:50 > 0:08:51and now they're my sheep!
0:08:51 > 0:08:53No, they're not my sheep any more!
0:08:55 > 0:09:00Managing the flock is a full-on job, which Jo attacks with gusto...
0:09:00 > 0:09:03This is my favourite thing on the farm. It's this....
0:09:03 > 0:09:05SHE IMITATES ENGINE
0:09:05 > 0:09:08I check all the livestock and, depending on the time of the year,
0:09:08 > 0:09:13usually in the morning, just to make sure they're all fine.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16I'll check and see if anybody's looking lame, is walking funny
0:09:16 > 0:09:19or if a sheep is on its own
0:09:19 > 0:09:21cos that's an indication maybe something's wrong.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Hello, sweetie pies!
0:09:25 > 0:09:28The bulk of the heavy-duty chores fall to Dan.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31We have to be back against the wall, old boy.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Those two look very good now.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44For Jo and Dan, there's an added sense of purpose to their calling.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Portland sheep are one of Britain's rarest breeds
0:09:47 > 0:09:50and they're intent on preserving their future.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52There we go, OK.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Just 40 years ago, the breed was in danger of extinction.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02They were brought back from the brink of extinction.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04There were very few flocks left,
0:10:04 > 0:10:06they were saved by a few very wonderful people.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Maintaining the rare breeds, protecting the rare breeds,
0:10:11 > 0:10:15it's great fun and it's very spiritually rewarding.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20While the best of their pedigree flock are kept for careful breeding,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22the rest are sent to market.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27The lamb, you wouldn't get enough out of them to bother taking them
0:10:27 > 0:10:31off to the butcher, so you grow them on till they're at least a year old
0:10:31 > 0:10:34and then that's hogget. It's more flavourful.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38George III, it was his absolute favourite meat.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Although everybody can eat Portland now, you don't have to be a king!
0:10:45 > 0:10:49Sheep and meat sales are at the heart of Jo and Dan's business
0:10:49 > 0:10:50but, like many farmers,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53they can't rely on that core income to keep the farm going.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00So, to make ends meet, Dan also works as an engineer.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04Dan has to work a few days a week away in order for us to stay here.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08The entrepreneurial couple have also diversified
0:11:08 > 0:11:11and sell firewood from their woodland,
0:11:11 > 0:11:14produce honey from their hives
0:11:14 > 0:11:18and are even converting old cattle sheds into holiday cottages
0:11:18 > 0:11:19to generate the income they need.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23We strongly believe in diversity.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27It's the only way we can hope to be sustainable.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31We're just breaking even now and we're hoping, eventually,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35we can make a living from our farm. That's our situation.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Come on, silly. Come on!
0:11:39 > 0:11:44'Farming is a business, so you've got to work hard to make ends meet.'
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Dan's pride and joy is his conservation work.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57In just five years, he's planted over 2,000 metres of hedgerow
0:11:57 > 0:11:59on the farm.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01They play an important part of the countryside,
0:12:01 > 0:12:06providing a habitat for a wide variety of animals and plants.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Conservation is one of my great passions.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13We have wonderful hedgerows around here
0:12:13 > 0:12:16and we've planted a number of wild flower meadows.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20Even our grassland, it's made up of multiple species of grass.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22It's all pretty natural.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Oh, there's not very much left, you've had some snacks already...
0:12:27 > 0:12:30But, while Dan's passionate about conservation,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Jo's heart will always lie with her beloved sheep.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Hello, my babies. Oh, there she goes, right in.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39You are a greedy one, aren't you?
0:12:39 > 0:12:42'Once I got them, I just fell in love with them.'
0:12:42 > 0:12:46And especially at lambing time, that's the most wonderful time.
0:12:46 > 0:12:52You're exhausted, but it's the whole life cycle that you're involved in.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56I never dreamed I would do anything like this but this is...
0:12:56 > 0:12:57I have the best life.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Back at Jon and Justine's in Moorside in Dorset,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12the preshow pampering is in full swing.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Cor, he stinks!
0:13:16 > 0:13:20For tomorrow at least, appearances are everything.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22He's actually got a lovely fleece.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24So he's one of the short wool types.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29He's got a good Hampshire head, not too much wool but the right amount,
0:13:29 > 0:13:33really. Masculine across the nose as well.
0:13:33 > 0:13:34They also check the teeth.
0:13:35 > 0:13:36Teeth and testicles.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- Yeah, most important bits! - HE CHUCKLES
0:13:42 > 0:13:46The washing, brushing and buffing for show day gets underway.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48Right, let's give you a bath, mate.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Yeah, I know you're a bit angry, I know.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53Sorry.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58What you want is to get a nice, even finish on the wool.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02But the attention isn't always welcome.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04Go on.
0:14:04 > 0:14:05No, you're not going out there.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10I'll do your chest while you're up there...
0:14:10 > 0:14:13SHEEP BLEATS
0:14:13 > 0:14:17We tend to leave the yellow on his chest, that's what you call raddle.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20It's a sign that he has actually been out with some ewes,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23which is always good in a ram, a judge will like to see that.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26So he's not basically just been prepped for show after show
0:14:26 > 0:14:29after show, he has actually done a job.
0:14:29 > 0:14:30Aw!
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- We want Princess first, don't we? - Well, I'll get her right here.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- Here she is. OK, darling. - In another corner of Dorset,
0:14:42 > 0:14:44Jo and Dan are also grappling with
0:14:44 > 0:14:47giving their sheep some preshow gloss.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50OK, Princess, we're going to roll you over on your back
0:14:50 > 0:14:51just very nicely.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56Princess was my supreme champion at Sherborne,
0:14:56 > 0:14:58so I do have some high hopes for her.
0:14:58 > 0:14:59I think she's beautiful.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Prep begins by giving Princess the royal treatment,
0:15:06 > 0:15:08with their special sheep pedicure.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16She needs just a little bit of trimming there.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19And she's not sheepish about enjoying the fussing.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24The judges said to me that she was full of herself, she loved -
0:15:24 > 0:15:25she loved herself.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28That's what won it over for her, actually.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Because all the other sheep were lined up there and she was just
0:15:31 > 0:15:35haughty-looking and proud and thought, "Yeah, I am the prettiest!"
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Hey, hey, hey, hey!
0:15:44 > 0:15:47SHE GROANS
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Time now for some last-minute halter practice,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52all-important if the sheep are to remain calm
0:15:52 > 0:15:54when they have to parade for the judge.
0:15:57 > 0:15:58Come on, walk on, come on.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00Walk on. Come on, come on.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Here we go, here we go.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Pretend you're looking at the judge with your sheep, Dan.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Look at how well, they're walking! Oh, they're brilliant.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11You do have the superior one.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13But that's all right, I like you too, sir.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Across at Jon and Justine's farm
0:16:21 > 0:16:24they're preparing their Hampshire Downs
0:16:24 > 0:16:26and there is one big worry.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Maybe a bit feisty.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32Get it a little bit up more round her nose there, look.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Their five-year-old ewe, due to make her show debut,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37is new to halters.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Hopefully, things go well and she behaves herself.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50But it's not looking good.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Oi. Oi, oi!
0:16:56 > 0:16:58SHE LAUGHS
0:16:58 > 0:16:59- All right?- Yeah.
0:16:59 > 0:17:00Yeah, so she's a leaper.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- Very powerful. - Yeah, going to be fun...
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Yeah, she's going to jump about a bit, I think.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Those doe eyes are deceptive.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16Male Hampshire Downs weigh around 120kg,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19making them potentially dangerous to handle,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22as Justine knows only too well...
0:17:22 > 0:17:25I had a ram lamb run towards me
0:17:25 > 0:17:27and, instead of running towards one side or the other,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30he jumped straight up at me and hit me in the face and knocked me out
0:17:30 > 0:17:32and has given me long-term whiplash.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Don't particularly want it to happen again.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37It hurt. Yeah, very much so.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42Time to cross fingers that their charges will be on best behaviour
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- come show day.- Oi, oi, oi.
0:17:45 > 0:17:46Don't be silly, come on.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Justine and Jon have been showing sheep for six years...
0:17:59 > 0:18:02..and have amassed an impressive collection of prizes.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08Taking the sheep to the show really puts you in the limelight.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10You can sell sheep at shows,
0:18:10 > 0:18:12people can ask to come and have a look at your flock.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14It's your business card, in my opinion.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20For us, it's really put us on the map within the Hampshires.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22People get to know who you are, what you've got,
0:18:22 > 0:18:24what your sheep are like.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26Showing's addictive.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Winning trophies...
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Well, I do quite like to take a bit of silverware home
0:18:32 > 0:18:33at the end of the day.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35We're competitive with each other as well, though.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Jon likes to pick which sheep he's going to show, and that's it!
0:18:43 > 0:18:45To keep the sheep in pristine condition,
0:18:45 > 0:18:48they will be spending the night indoors.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50And anticipation is building for the big day.
0:18:52 > 0:18:53Right then, go on.
0:18:55 > 0:18:56One down, three to go.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01They all have to be up at 4am in the morning for the show.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Melplash is a tough show.
0:19:03 > 0:19:04It's a very good sheep show.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06I think the classes will be strong
0:19:06 > 0:19:10but they're still good quality sheep that we're taking.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14It's our ambition to get Supreme Champion sheep.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18which is the best sheep in the whole show. We haven't got it yet.
0:19:18 > 0:19:19Maybe we will get it.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Straight back, straight back, Dan, straight back. You're good,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32you're good, you're good, you're good. Stop, stop, stop, stop!
0:19:32 > 0:19:36There'll be no prizes for Dan and Jo over at Lower Brimley Coombe Farm
0:19:36 > 0:19:39if they can't get their cargo on board.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41Oi, oi. Come on up, come on up. Come on up, come on up.
0:19:41 > 0:19:42That's it, that's it, girls.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44That's it, girls.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48But with so many sheep to get on the trailer, it's a stressful business.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51OK, very good. That's done.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55They've enlisted their young next-door neighbour, Minty, to help.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Now, do the rams.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- Yeah, load up the rams.- Right.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04I love to show off my sheep
0:20:04 > 0:20:07and I like to see how I do against other Portlands,
0:20:07 > 0:20:10but it's also really important because it's a shop window for us.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13I'm glad he drives cos I couldn't do this.
0:20:13 > 0:20:19And when you win prizes with your sheep, the sheep are more desirable.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22You know, the ewes always go in well, but now comes the trouble.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24OK, boys!
0:20:24 > 0:20:27They'd so rather stay in this nice big pen.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- OK, boys.- Come on, boys, the girls are in there.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31I'm going to try to get them. Come on! Come on.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Oh. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, come on!
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Come on, hey, hey, hey.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Go on, go on!
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Woo-woo-woo! OK.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Not bad at all!
0:20:45 > 0:20:47I'll get out of the way.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- Lock it! Good, that was good! - All set.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52- Yep.- All righty.- All right?
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Yep.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59OK, ready, off to the show!
0:21:14 > 0:21:17The prestigious Melplash show in Bridport in Dorset
0:21:17 > 0:21:19is starting to come to life.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23It is a highlight of the farming calendar
0:21:23 > 0:21:26and home to one of the largest agricultural shows
0:21:26 > 0:21:28in the south-west.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32I believe the weather forecast to be set fair so let's hope we have a
0:21:32 > 0:21:35fabulous day.
0:21:35 > 0:21:4018,000 visitors are expected through the gates to experience the best of
0:21:40 > 0:21:42what rural Dorset has to offer.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Farmers and their teams of sheep are starting to arrive.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56One of the first are Jon and Justine,
0:21:56 > 0:21:58who already have preshow butterflies.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02It's always a bit nerve-racking when you rock up to a show, though,
0:22:02 > 0:22:07you know, it's just a big day and you've put a lot of effort into it
0:22:07 > 0:22:10and, yeah, you've got to try and do your best.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15But it's not all about showing the animals.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- Can I have your licences, please? - I haven't filled them out yet.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21- Well, you'd better chop chop, I've got an inspection.- Oh.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25There's an early hitch as Jon hasn't filled in his vital
0:22:25 > 0:22:27preshow paperwork.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29You've got to get through all the bureaucracy first, really,
0:22:29 > 0:22:34before you can actually get the sheep off-loaded and penned up.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36He's probably getting a bit frustrated with having
0:22:36 > 0:22:38to do the paperwork.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Over on the other side of the field, Jo and Dan have also just arrived.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Having struggled to get the sheep into the trailer,
0:22:56 > 0:22:58they now have to get them out.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01There's one, two, three, four pens.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02OK, so the rams...
0:23:02 > 0:23:06I'm always nervous before a show until we get everything organised,
0:23:06 > 0:23:11I'm nervous. But Dan is calm, which makes it work for us.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18- Go, go, go...- There we go, girls.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24OK, right now we'll get the sheep in their pens by category, by class.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27- You pick them up... - Pick them up and pop them over.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Bingo. So when the stewards come
0:23:29 > 0:23:34around and say it's time to show the ram lamb, we know where he is,
0:23:34 > 0:23:35we can get him sorted.
0:23:43 > 0:23:48The clock is ticking, with just an hour to go to competition time.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Yeah, just got the paperwork sorted,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53get those pens strawed up and start unloading, shall we?
0:23:53 > 0:23:54Yeah.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59Jon and Justine will need to step up the pace if they're to get
0:23:59 > 0:24:00everything ready in time.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06Like Jo and Dan, they have to keep their sheep apart,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09especially their testosterone-fuelled rams...
0:24:11 > 0:24:14..who don't always see eye to eye.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16If we put him in that pen,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19they would all start grumbling at each other and probably start rowing
0:24:19 > 0:24:23and head-butting. Don't ask for trouble, just keep them separate.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30The big chap over there, we want him to be manageable,
0:24:30 > 0:24:35but we want him to have a bit of showiness about him.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Yeah, he is a bit like, "Hey, look at me, I'm the man."
0:24:49 > 0:24:52With the competition looming, the pressure is now on...
0:24:52 > 0:24:56- Stop it.- ..to make sure that all of the sheep are ready for show time.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Just having a bit of a tidy up here on the heads of these rams.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Some are keener than others.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06It's always a little bit dangerous going right round the eyes with
0:25:06 > 0:25:07these sharp shears.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11Last minute prep, fine-tuning now just before we go in the ring.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- This is Jon. - SHE LAUGHS
0:25:15 > 0:25:18And nothing gets done unless it's last-minute.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Let's do this shoulder.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Oh, thank you, Dorset, are you joining in?
0:25:22 > 0:25:25SHE LAUGHS
0:25:25 > 0:25:29We're on at half nine so not long, 15 minutes.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36And nearby, Jo is also giving her precious Portlands
0:25:36 > 0:25:39those last-minute touches before judging.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Portland sheep aren't overly groomed or clipped for showing,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45they're supposed to be shown in their working clothes.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47And actually if you clip them or wash their fleece,
0:25:47 > 0:25:49the judge would not like that.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52There you go, hey, hey, hey. Hey.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57But we still like a tidy them up and we're allowed to polish their horns.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59It smells nice with the baby oil.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Oi.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Jon and Justine's Hampshire Downs and Jo and Dan's Portland sheep
0:26:10 > 0:26:14will be competing in separate rings against their own breeds.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21With this year's sheep competition about to begin,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24the thousands of spectators are filling the showground,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26all hoping for a fun-filled day out.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31The Melplash Show really is a showcase of everything we do in
0:26:31 > 0:26:32West Dorset and Bridport.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36It's an opportunity for farmers to show off their livestock.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39And it's also a chance to show people in the region what
0:26:39 > 0:26:42agriculture and farming is all about and where our food comes from.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Just about six or seven minutes to go.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52So if our exhibitors could get themselves ready...
0:26:56 > 0:27:00Not only do the sheep have to look the part but the exhibitors do, too.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04I'm better at this than Jo is.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07I'd say!
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- JON:- The white coat on and then we're ready to rock and roll.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14You have to wear a white coat when you're showing any livestock.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17You are not allowed in the ring without it.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18OK.
0:27:20 > 0:27:21Northern end of the main ring.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Our judges are just about ready to start.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31When I'm judging, you're going to be looking...
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Well, hopefully, a supermodel's just going to walk in the ring and it's
0:27:34 > 0:27:38going to make your job easy and just catch your eye, really.
0:27:38 > 0:27:44We're looking for a pretty face, the classic black mark teardrop.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46With the rams,
0:27:46 > 0:27:48you want their testicles to be of correct size
0:27:48 > 0:27:52and both of them to be there.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Don't like that, do you? We've got to see you've got your credentials.
0:27:58 > 0:28:04Start today in all our breeds with the ram of any age.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06First up are Jon and Justine,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08who will be competing against each other.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10This is it, now. We're getting into the judging.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Start hotting up now.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17Competition between other breeders is quite fierce at these shows.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23But also, Justine and I, we're fairly competitive as well.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26But a win for either Jon or Justine
0:28:26 > 0:28:29could get them a step closer to owning their own farm.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32And with three rosettes up for grabs,
0:28:32 > 0:28:33they're feeling hopeful.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37He's had a first place this year but we'll see how it goes.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Some stiff competition out there.
0:28:46 > 0:28:47Morning, Lucy.
0:28:47 > 0:28:48Morning, Lucy.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Justine's up first with her ram.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00OK, Jon.
0:29:00 > 0:29:01How are you doing?
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Looking good here at the minute.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15But with strong competition, Jon can't be sure.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20Lucy's made her decision.
0:29:23 > 0:29:24Yeah, thank you very much, Jon.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26- Thank you, Lucy. - Yeah, OK.- Thank you.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32Yeah, pleased with that one.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34It's one I didn't really expect.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37He was a longer sheep and he handled well,
0:29:37 > 0:29:40which is the main thing you're looking for, really.
0:29:40 > 0:29:41Thank you.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43Smashed it.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45It's a good result for the couple,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48even if Justine's ram couldn't quite make the grade.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54His back isn't quite straight and where he's lost a bit of condition
0:29:54 > 0:29:56we haven't really got anything to hide it.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58But the rest of the sheep were good sheep so it doesn't...
0:29:58 > 0:30:00doesn't reflect too badly on him.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12While Jon celebrates his victory,
0:30:12 > 0:30:16Jo and Dan are about to take their two rams into the ring for their
0:30:16 > 0:30:17first competition.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21I think they sense sometimes if you're nervous.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Like, when you're with dogs and things.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27And so I think that sometimes I'm nervous and I think they sense it.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Judging the Portland shape is David Brewer,
0:30:32 > 0:30:35a veteran judge with 50 years of experience
0:30:35 > 0:30:38who knows exactly what he's looking for today.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43Forget what these see.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46These are my most important aspect.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50What my hands tell me when I handle the animal.
0:30:50 > 0:30:56Exhibitors can't try to pull the wool over my eyes by trimming
0:30:56 > 0:30:58so that they look different.
0:30:59 > 0:31:00The sheep is a grazer,
0:31:00 > 0:31:05I want a good mouth to eat and good limbs to go and get the food.
0:31:06 > 0:31:07Showing off a little bit.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09I don't want to see it just...
0:31:09 > 0:31:11"Uh, don't want to be here."
0:31:11 > 0:31:13I want to see them being active.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20First judging for Jo and Dan gets underway.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26They have only been doing this for three years,
0:31:26 > 0:31:28making them relative newcomers to the show world.
0:31:30 > 0:31:31Hey, hey, hey.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. OK, OK.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36- Young man.- Oh, young man.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Full of spirit.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Well, he's a boy.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43- It's what we want. - At first appearance,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46the judge seems impressed with Jo's ram.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49- There's a good boy.- But then Caraway has other ideas.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52Walk up, come on, come on.
0:31:52 > 0:31:53Hey. Hey, hey, hey.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57Come on, come on, come on.
0:31:57 > 0:31:58Come on, come on.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00That's it. Come on back.
0:32:00 > 0:32:01OK.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Whoa, now. Whoa, now.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08Whoa, now.
0:32:09 > 0:32:10Whoa, chappy.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15It's the moment of truth.
0:32:17 > 0:32:18Thank you.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23Sadly, Dan and Jo have been unsuccessful.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26You get all the bits, I don't know what they are.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33They're disappointed but the judge tries to explain why they
0:32:33 > 0:32:36- didn't win.- One thing, can I quickly say,
0:32:36 > 0:32:41it's absolutely crucial when I see them walk.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43Unfortunately, when I wanted to see them side on,
0:32:43 > 0:32:45you turned inside the sheep.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47It's something to think about.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55Obviously I gave Dan the better behaved, the better trained animal,
0:32:55 > 0:32:57because he didn't have the trouble I did.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00But they were the youngest ones,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03so next year I think they definitely have possibilities.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06I mean, he told me he liked them very much, when we were chatting.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08- So, we'll see.- Yeah, they're young, they'll come on.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17The Melplash Show is almost full to capacity.
0:33:19 > 0:33:24Back in the ring, Jo is now pinning her hopes on her beloved Princess.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30That's it.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38Sadly, even this sheep can't bring home a rosette.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45But Jo isn't letting anything dampen her enthusiasm.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49We have been doing this for about three years now, showing
0:33:49 > 0:33:54and we'll continue to show and discover exactly what makes
0:33:54 > 0:33:55the prize-winning sheep,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58but you still enjoy it and you carry on.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00It's all part of the process and it's brilliant.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09It is this determined spirit and passion that has brought farming
0:34:09 > 0:34:14communities together here at the Melplash Show for over 150 years.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20The show started in 1847 in a small village about five miles from here,
0:34:20 > 0:34:21called Melplash.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24It's grown and grown over the years, and we've moved to the present site
0:34:24 > 0:34:25here in Bridport.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30The show's origins were rooted in a ploughing match between two local
0:34:30 > 0:34:35farmers, trying to settle a wager over whose ploughman was the best.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40Local farmers and landowners attending the event then came
0:34:40 > 0:34:44together to form the Melplash Agricultural Society -
0:34:44 > 0:34:45and the show was born.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49By the early 1900s,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52the show had grown from plough horses to judging cattle,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54pigs and other livestock.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01Farming and agriculture have always been at the heart of the show and
0:35:01 > 0:35:02almost 200 years on,
0:35:02 > 0:35:06farmers are still as passionate as ever about winning here.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13CHEERING
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Back in the Hampshire Down ring,
0:35:21 > 0:35:24it's all eyes on the jumpy five-year-old ewe
0:35:24 > 0:35:27who's had no halter training and never competed before.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Bit spirited.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34Going to play me up, so I won't be saying too much at the minute.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37- Come with me out there.- Yeah.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41Despite being the only entrant,
0:35:41 > 0:35:45there's no guarantee she will win a first place as she still has to make
0:35:45 > 0:35:47the grade expected by the judges.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53If the judge finds a fault, it's not an automatic winner.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Yeah, she's giving me the run-around at the minute.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07She's not relaxing, you feel it.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09It's a bit too much for her, really.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14- SHEEP BLEATS - Are you ready, Lucy? Cos I...
0:36:14 > 0:36:16SHEEP BLEATS
0:36:17 > 0:36:21The sheep aren't always well-behaved when you show them.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24You never know what's going to quite happen and they don't always perform
0:36:24 > 0:36:25on the day.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27OK, Jon, will she walk?
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Oh... She might do something.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45OK. Yeah, that's fine.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48But her high-spirited antics don't put judge Lucy off...
0:36:50 > 0:36:52- APPLAUSE - OK, Jon, well, she wouldn't have
0:36:52 > 0:36:55- got far if there had been more, you know.- Thank you.- Thank you, yes.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59..and she awards the lively ewe a first-place rosette.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01She's a nice strong ewe, isn't she?
0:37:01 > 0:37:02Very.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11She gave a bit of a show anyway, didn't she?
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Scrub-a-dub-dub! Scrub-a-dub-dub!
0:37:14 > 0:37:15Take that, Mr Punch!
0:37:22 > 0:37:26Judging is almost over and, despite months of hard work,
0:37:26 > 0:37:29Jo and Dan are yet to win prizes.
0:37:29 > 0:37:30Even better.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Whoa, little chappy.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41That's it.
0:37:50 > 0:37:51Bring that one there.
0:37:53 > 0:37:54That's right.
0:38:01 > 0:38:02Thank you.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07And it's the best possible result...
0:38:09 > 0:38:10Give you that.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16- Thank you. - ..as the ram lamb takes first prize.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26Back off!
0:38:30 > 0:38:33What took my eye with him was his character.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Young rams should be acting like a young male,
0:38:36 > 0:38:37showing off a little bit,
0:38:37 > 0:38:40being themselves, that's what I want.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45I always give Dan the winning lamb - but that's OK.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Yay!
0:38:47 > 0:38:48Now we can go home and say we got a prize,
0:38:48 > 0:38:51but I just want to enjoy the day and that's what I'm doing.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Making progress every year. It's good, it's good.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Yeah, I'm extremely happy.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Yeah, we needed a prize and we got it!
0:39:05 > 0:39:08The prizes are rolling in now for our farming couples.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12- Thank you.- Thank you. - Thank you very much.- Thanks, Lucy.
0:39:12 > 0:39:13Thanks very much. That's OK.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Thanks.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17We got a third for our group of three.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21It's another first for Jon and his young ewe...
0:39:23 > 0:39:26Thank you. Well done. Lovely ewe.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Another one in the bag. Another first.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32..with Justine winning third place.
0:39:32 > 0:39:33- Lovely ewe.- Thank you.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39My ewe's done better than Justine's all season,
0:39:39 > 0:39:40so that one was expected.
0:39:40 > 0:39:41Apart from once.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43Apart from once.
0:39:44 > 0:39:45And finally, to round the day off,
0:39:45 > 0:39:49Jon and Justine now have three of their sheep up for the prestigious
0:39:49 > 0:39:51title of Breed Champion.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53Come on.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Great big monster.
0:39:59 > 0:40:04And Jon has to control his lively ewe one more time.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06- She's not going to relax, is she? - Shall we let her run?
0:40:06 > 0:40:08SHE LAUGHS
0:40:11 > 0:40:15The champion title is one they have been working towards all year.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22- Thank you, Lucy.- Thank you very much, she's a lovely ewe lamb.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25Although Jon's missed out on the title,
0:40:25 > 0:40:28there is still some exceptionally good news.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32- We've got a reserve.- Oh!
0:40:32 > 0:40:34- We've got a reserve. - Thank you very much.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38- Yeah.- Their sheep being handled by friend Henry gets runner-up.
0:40:40 > 0:40:41Over the moon with that.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43She's a good ewe and she couldn't have a better
0:40:43 > 0:40:44handler than Henry.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47- Thank you, Henry. - It's how you hold them.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50That's what it is. Experience counts in this game.
0:40:50 > 0:40:51Henry's got plenty of it.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00Before the day finishes, there is just one more win.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05It's the top conservation award...
0:41:07 > 0:41:11..an incredible tribute to Dan and Jo's dedication to the land.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Hi. Hi.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18- That's for you. - Thank you, thank you.
0:41:18 > 0:41:23'We're just so pleased and proud to have received this cup for best
0:41:23 > 0:41:25'conservation practices, small farm.'
0:41:25 > 0:41:27I bet you've been busy.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30- This tops it all.- Yeah. - Wonderful day.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34Tired but happy.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42- Cheers.- Cheers.
0:41:45 > 0:41:46Judging is over.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51For our farmers, it has been a day of nerves...
0:41:53 > 0:41:55- ..tension...- Oh!
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- ..and excitement.- Yay!
0:41:58 > 0:42:01But above all, it has been a day where all their hard work throughout
0:42:01 > 0:42:03the year has paid off.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06We've had a fantastic day today.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08It's always, for me,
0:42:08 > 0:42:11you're really relieved when you get the last sheep out of the ring.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13We can relax a bit now.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16We can settle the sheep down, make sure they've got water,
0:42:16 > 0:42:18and we can go and find a cider ourselves.
0:42:21 > 0:42:26It's so important when you spend all that time and effort and you get a
0:42:26 > 0:42:27reward, it's lovely.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30We're learning all the time,
0:42:30 > 0:42:33from the judges and from the other breeders. It's brilliant.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37When we win, it makes you feel good.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41All your hard work pays off and we look forward to the next show
0:42:41 > 0:42:42and see how they do then.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50We had some success and the weather's gorgeous, it's Melplash,
0:42:50 > 0:42:52it was brilliant. Brilliant day.