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'British Saddleback Champion of Champions 2008 Heytesbury Belle 17 with owner and breeder, Mr Andy Gready and the Judge, Mr Angus Stovold. Photo by Richard Lutwyche'

Despite the wet summer, most agricultural shows went ahead and in the pig classes, many have triumphed as Breed or even Supreme Champion on the day. But with shows spread from the depths of Cornwall to the north of England, how do we know which is really the best pig?

For British Saddleback pigs it is easy. The Breed Champions from the leading shows compete against each other at Hatfield House Country Show each August when one sees the Champion from the Royal Bath & West show take on the best from the Great Yorkshire, The Royal Welsh and many more. The prize? To become the British Saddleback Champion of Champions for the year, winning the prestigious Ashton Bowl, presented by the British Pig Association, a Bronze Medal, sash and rosette.

Saddlebacks were out in force this year with more pigs than any other breed at many of the leading shows. Thus the Champion of Champion is truly a giant among pigs. The event was held on Sunday 17th August and the judge, Angus Stovold, a leading breeder from Surrey, was presented with a ring full of quality Saddleback pigs. After due careful consideration, he awarded the championship to Wiltshire-based Andy Gready for his July 2007 gilt, Heytesbury Belle 17, who qualified by winning at the North Somerset show. The worthy Runner-up was another July gilt, Victoria Lottie 300, from the herd of John & Mary Wreakes from near Doncaster having qualified at Staffordshire Show. Mr Gready was delighted having won the competition two years ago with another gilt and surprised having seen the high level of competition this year.

British Saddlebacks have enjoyed a renaissance in recent years but are still considered a rare breed. Numbers have slipped back a little this year with the cost of feed and the difficult market conditions but at the survey last year, there were over 500 registered females producing young for the next generation of pedigree Saddlebacks.

As most showmen put away their kit at the end of another season, there is another year next year and perhaps the chance to produce the very best pig out there - the British Saddleback Champion of Champions.

8:58am Wednesday 20th August 2008

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