Our Experience at North American Valais Showcase: A Valais Blacknose Grading and Show in Pennsylvania
After months of special care, Fred and I loaded up our Valais Blacknose sheep and headed to the North American Valais Showcase in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania. We came home tired, grateful, and with a lot to think about. We wanted to share an honest look at our experience, what we appreciated, and why we think shows like this matter for Valais Blacknose breeders here in the eastern United States.
Why We Chose This Show
For us, a few things really mattered.
The first was the grading. There is currently one other show in the country that offers grading. Having international graders willing to come to the US to educate us about this breed is such a privilege and was always a goal of ours.
When we learned this show, was going to have expert graders, we were pretty happy. We raise our Valais Blacknose by Swiss breed guidelines. Having expert graders from Sweden and Switzerland was an opportunity that we wanted to take advantage of. Their evaluation tells us honestly where our flock stands and which direction to take our breeding program. We are so eager to continue learning about this breed.
The second was distance. The show was about a four and a half hour drive from our farm in Northeast Ohio. The health of our sheep is always our number one priority, and a shorter trip means less stress on the animals (and us) and less exposure to unpredictable fall weather. When the choice is to drive fourteen hours and spend five days away, or four and a half hours and spend two days away from home, it was a no brainer. At our stage of life, a manageable drive matters for us too.
Arriving and Checking In
The show was held in a small rural Pennsylvania town, and we loved that. We are small town people at heart, and it felt like home right away.
The facility had large open doors on four sides, which made unloading easy, even with a trailer full of sheep. Before we unloaded a single animal, the staff carefully checked our health papers and registrations. We truly appreciated that. A thorough check at the door protects every flock in the barn, and it showed us the organizers take biosecurity seriously.
Once we were cleared, a staff member walked us to our pens and asked if we needed help settling in. That small gesture set the tone for the whole weekend.
The Facility
The pens were set up and ready when we arrived. The aisles were wide, so moving sheep and supplies was easy, and water was readily available. The building was a good size and had plenty of room for the show to grow in future years.
Parking was easy, the restrooms were clean and close by. There was food on site along with vendors. Those details may sound small, but after a long drive and a full day of caring for sheep, they make a real difference.
The show ring was a nice size and nicely decorated. There was a thick layer of wood shavings and we're guessing it was because of the cement floor so the sheep wouldn't slip. The graders were able to brush the wood shavings when grading to see the whites on the legs. That is an easy adjustment, and it is the only thing we would change.
A Well Organized Weekend
At check in, we received a packet with everything we needed, including the class schedule. It was clear a lot of planning went into this event.
The show ran smoothly through different classes from getting ID tags, handling of the sheep in the pens and the transition from grading to showing.
The announcing was clear and the photographer did a great job of taking photos throughout the show and making them available a day after the show concluded.
Our hotel was comfortable, reasonably priced, included breakfast and only seven miles from the facility, which made early mornings and late evenings much easier.
The People
The show included a social dinner at a quiet restaurant. This atmosphere gave us the chance to talk with fellow breeders as well as the graders. Hearing their thoughts directly, and asking questions, was invaluable. You can read about the breed standard all day, but there is nothing like learning from people who have spent decades with these sheep.
We also finally met people we had only known by name on social media. Putting faces to names and having real conversations about the breed, sharing personal stories and getting to know each other better was a gift.
Throughout the weekend, we saw people helping each other, sharing tips, and lending a hand in the barn. That spirit is what makes the Valais Blacknose community special.
Why Accessible Shows Matter
Most of the exhibitors came from the East Coast. Valais Blacknose sheep are still a growing breed in the United States, and many breeders in this part of the country have not had easy access to expert grading.
A show like this, within driving distance for so many of us, helps breeders learn, compare notes, and raise the overall quality of the breed.
We were proud to be a sponsor of the show, and we hope to see it continue and grow.
What We Brought Home
We came home with clearer direction for our breeding program, new friendships, and a deeper appreciation for this breed and the people who care for it.
We got answers to questions we had on nutrition and added a few ribbons and bells to the shelf.
Thank you to the organizers, the staff, the grading experts, sponsors and every exhibitor who made the event possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Valais Blacknose grading show?
At a grading show, experienced graders/judges evaluate each Valais Blacknose sheep against the breed standard, looking at traits such as conformation, markings, and fleece. Breeders use the results to guide their breeding decisions.
Why do Valais Blacknose breeders look for graders from Europe?
The Valais Blacknose breed originated in the Valais region of Switzerland. Graders from Switzerland and other European countries bring long experience with the breed standard, which helps breeders in the United States stay true to it.
Where is Valais Blacknose of Lovers Lane located?
We are a small family farm in Northeast Ohio raising full-blood Valais Blacknose sheep guided by Swiss breed guidelines.
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