Oxford Sandy and Black Pigs
The initial Oxford Sandy and Black pigs were purchased recently for my grandchildren Imogen and Harry. They are now on their fourth generation of home breeding.
Imogen [age 8] writes
Omlette is my Oxford Sandy and Black July gilt. She follows me around the farm like a dog. On the third of September I took Omlette to Lowick Show, I trained her in a dog harness and a lead for the pet show. Omlette and I came first and John was so pleased he went off to the members’ tent and drank champagne to toast our success.
Omlette and her sister Black pudding came to the English Winter Fair as a pair they came fourth in the fatstock competition. In the fatstock competition you show the two pigs together with a scoop of food [and hope they do not eat too fast]
My brother Harry and I showed them individually in the young handlers class where we also had to answer questions on different aspects of the 4 pigs on show. We both won our classes.
Omlette and Black pudding are now nearly fully trained for the shows and pigkeeping courses in 2012.
Imogen says ”Eat them to keep them, as we can only register the best pigs, so most of them go for really tasty pork, sausages pies and bacon”
Oxford Sandy and Blacks A Family Affair
Showing of the pigs has done so much for the grandchildren’s confidence. Both Harry and Imogen successfully showed not only their Oxford Sandy and Black pigs but also Saddleback and Hampshire, when competing against adults at county shows. Now their pig knowledge is so proficient they select and train the pigs they wish to show. This has been greatly aided by the time and patience put in at the shows by Tracy and Steve on behalf of the BPA’s youth club of which Harry and Imogen are both members. At the shows time is put aside to further educate the youngsters in ring manners, ring etiquette, points of the pig, different breeds, indeed every aspect of pig keeping together with fun competitions with their friends. Imogen was awarded the national under 8 ‘Champion Young Handler of 2011′ during the finals at Hatfield show.Harry also qualified for the finals in his age group.
Both children won their respective young handlers classes at the English Winter Fair.
Show Success with Oxford Sandy and Blacks
- Breed champions 2011
- Cheshire county show
- Gt Eccleston show
- Anglesey county show
- Westmorland county show
Other Awards
- Best Gilt Hatfield show
- Champion male rare breed Westmorland show
- Best rare breed gilt Anglesey show
- Reserve breed champion at Hatfield show
We lost the numbers at Gt Yorks Show so the gilts were disqualified!
Our Breed Lines
- Sows
- Duchess
- Elsie
- Mary
- Boars
- Clarence [north country type]
- Alister
