07/01/2026
What a delight participating with a few of our Border Leicester and Texel sheep in the 2026 Black Sheep Gathering Sheep Show, in addition to showing some fleeces in the Wool Show. We departed from the show speechless and have been scrambling since to find words to express our gratitude. Spending time with the sheep community, longtime and new friends, engaging with the public and gleaning from the knowledge of peers many more years in, was fabulous. We enjoyed bringing together the seemingly vast differences between our 2 sheep breeds, showcasing the ewe-nique value of the wool that each one offers. For years I have felt and expressed my feeling that all wool, whatever breed of sheep has value, a purpose, fitting exceptionally into the perfect design just waiting for it. Perhaps this thought is just my ignorance of so much more to learn about the wool medium. Iāve been using the wool off both of our breeds for years in my felting projects, in part because thatās what I had to work with and because I love it. Taking our eyes off the resources we may not have and putting them on the ones we have forces us to stretch our thinking and creativity about what weāve been blessed with. Regardless, we are amazed at how our sheep and fleeces performed by the confirmation given through some of their placings.
Acknowledgements: Amy Manko and Ken Gossard for your insight and perspective. Randy Thompson for your exhausting efforts in chairing the sheep show, and your crew for their time, well done. Terri Salisbury for catching some photos simultaneously while helping show the Texels. A special thanks to Riana Zeiher and Montana for getting the lovelies through their debut. Rick and Cathy Martin for helping us in the final drive and snagging some great photos and videos. Doris Bergman for some special videos that truly capture the heart and bring a tear, just how much we really do love our sheep. Stephanie Booren itās an honor to follow the Kalina Family in carrying the Glen Eidman Trophy for the next year. Laurel Stone thank you so much for your support in our achievement, youāve been a beacon for many years to strive for merit. Iron Water Ranch for encouragement to keep moving forward when discouragement was knocking at the door. Itās painful to admit, but weāre confident we are totally forgetting the obvious people ā please forgive us for that and know we are thankful!
A sprinkling of focal points from the Wool Show of over 450 entries and the Sheep Show of roughly ~250 entries:
Wool Show
āDaphneā Distracted Acres 25151 (Border Leicester) 1st Place Purebred White Longwool Fleece
āJellyā Distracted Acres 25140 (Texel) 1st Place Purebred White Medium Fleece
āJellyā Distracted Acres 25140 (Texel) Tie for Reserve Champion White Fleece
Sheep Show
āBuzzā Distracted Acres 26212 (Texel) AOB1 White - 1st Place Spring Ram Lamb and Champion Ram
āMalbecā Distracted Acres 26223 (Texel) AOB1 White ā 1st Place Spring Ewe, Champion Ewe and Best Fleece Animal
āMalbecā Distracted Acres 26223 (Texel) Supreme Champion Sheep
āHDā Distracted Acres 26220 (Border Leicester) AOB2 White ā 1st Place Spring Ram and Reserve Champion Ram
āDaphneā Distracted Acres 25151 (Border Leicester) AOB2 White ā 1st Place Yearling Ewe and Reserve Champion
Videos in comments
Black Sheep Gathering
