A sheep breeder who exports to three countries and has been breeding sheep for 32 years has scooped a major sector award.

Sue Holdich, who runs the Millhouse pedigree flock at Bacton, near Stowmarket, took one of the Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Breeders’ Association’s top honours at its annual meeting and awards presentations in Skipton, North Yorkshire.

The Ruth Pedley Memorial Trophy is awarded to the exhibitor achieving the most notable interbreed success during the past year.

The trophy was presented by Charlotte Pedley, granddaughter of Frank and the late Ruth Pedley.

Ms Holdich’s home-bred shearling ram took supreme sheep champion title at the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s annual show and sale in Melton Mowbray last September and became the first person to win the trophy on more than one occasion.

The ram was sold to Lancashire breeder RW Gregson, of Tarleton, near Preston.

Mrs Holdich has been breeding both White and Black Wensleydales for 32 years and has been showing for all but four of them. She also exports Black Wensleydales to Germany, Holland and France. Her flock currently comprises 35 ewes and six rams.

Suffolk breeders Tracy Ranger and her Gedgrave flock at Orford, and Serena Plenderleight and her Ilketshall flock at Beccles, took fourth and fifth rosettes respectively in the William Rhodes competition.

The William Rhodes Perpetual Trophy for the most successful exhibitor of the year was won for the first time by one of the association’s mainstays, Mark Elliott, of Providence Farm, Ferrensby, near Knaresborough.