Per the UK’s National Sheep Association:
“ Typical breeds: Welsh Mountain (several types), Swaledale, Scottish Blackface, Cheviots, Rough Fell, Dalesbred, Derbyshire Gritstone, Herdwick.

Traits: Hardy, thick-coated, able-bodied, excellent mothers, adapted to living in the harsh hill conditions.

Purpose: Pure-bred breeding stock. Surplus female lambs and wether lambs (castrated male) are sold as stores to upland/lowland farms to be fattened. Older ewes that have lambed several times are transferred to the milder climates of lower areas and crossed with longwool breeds to produce Mules and half-breds.

Where to find them: Mountain and hill areas that have harsh climates, a short grass-growing season, relatively poor quality of soil and long winters.”

The show’s purpose is to promote and celebrate the UK Hill Breeds, and the three tier stratified breeding system that goes hand in hand with them: Scottish Blackface, North Country Cheviot, Border Cheviot, Welsh Mountain, and Herdwick.

Scotch Mules, Cheviot Mules, Greyface Mules/Half-breds, and the maternal breed crossing sires Bluefaced Leicester and Border Leicester, as well as terminal sire breeds Suffolk and Texel, will also have classes.

For 2025, the NAHSS Bonus Breed is the Shetland breed, which will also have their own classes.

Also added is the “Any Other British Breed” category, where all sheep that are from a breed that originated in the UK are invited to compete against each other.

If you are not sure what is classified as a Hill breed in the UK, please reference HERE.

Most definitely!

Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the festivities!

Whether you’re a shepherd, local, or out-of-towner, we encourage you to come and have a fantastic time. Come see the sheep, watch the dogs run, and grab a bite to eat.

No registration necessary just to attend!

Admission charged at the gate

Bring yourself and your family and learn a thing or two, and find a few perfect gifts at the vendor booths.

Please leave your pets at home!

Pets are not allowed at The North American Hill Sheep Show and will be denied entry. Only certified service dogs, service dogs in training and those entered into the Northern Lights Stock Dog Trial will be allowed on the grounds during event hours.

Dogs belonging to permitted campers must remain at a campsite during event hours.

We are using the Showman App again for 2025, where you will create a profile (or login if you already have one) and plug in your entries for sheep show classes, stock dog trial runs, and even sign up and pay as a craft or food vendor!

Registration is NOW OPEN for 2025, follow the link to enter: https://showman.app/shows#/the-north-american-hill-sheep-show-2d43

YES!

This year the NAHSS is hosting the first ever Scottish Blackface National Show & Sale!

Blackies will be auctioned UK-style, so bring your sheep and your checkbook!

For all other breeds, we encourage private sales!

The North American Hill Sheep Show is an excellent meet-up place to buy/sell stock for the 2025 breeding season. Lambs will be weaned by show time, and winners show their worth!

Yes and yes!

All sheep being shown can also be sold.

All sheep that are coming to the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds need to be recorded and have health traveling papers, even those just being brought for sale.

You will need to create a profile on the Showman App for sheep for sale, and once there answer the questions for sale only sheep and pens, everything can be paid there.

Judges for 2025 can be found HERE.

Short answer: Yes.

All sheep from breeds with purebred registration should be registered.

Exemptions will be made for UK breeds that are grading up, but even those sheep must be 80% or more pure.

Ewe Lamb (2025 born only)

Shearling (Yearling) Ewe (2024 born only)

Aged Ewe- 2 years old or older

Ram Lamb (2025 born only)

Shearling Ram (Yearling) Ram (2024 born only)

Aged Ram- 2 years old or older

Reserve Best of Breed and Best of Breed Champion will be selected from all breeds of the six classes.

All Best of Breed Champions compete for:

Reserve Best of Show Champion

Best of Show Champion

New for 2025: Group of 3 class (2 females 1 male)

The 1st places in the Group of 3 classes for each breed will go on to compete for Best Group of 3 Reserve Champion and Best Group of 3 Champion.

There is also Youth Showmanship Classes!

Ages 11-16 years

Ages 10 & Under

Age and breed of sheep does not matter for Youth, they will be judged on their attitude and handleability and may be asked questions by the judges.

In the state of Michigan, out of state livestock need to be accompanied by a vet certified health certificate to transport, good for two weeks from the issue date.

Scrapie tags and animal identification tags need to be in place as well.

A vet will be on-site during the show.

There will 1st thru 3rd places in all classes, and they will receive customized NAHSS rosettes, as well as Reserve Best of Breed, Best of Breed, Reserve Best of Show, and Best of Show.

There will also be a small number of vintage UK silver trophy cups:

Best of Show

Reserve Best of Show

Best of Breed for Scottish Blackface

Best of Breed for North Country Cheviot

Reserve Best of Breed for North Country Cheviot

Best of Breed for Black Welsh Mountain

Best of Breed for Any Other British Breed category

The trophy cups are revolving, like the UK, where you can win it, keep it for the year, and before the next year's show you will get your name engraved on it with 2025, and return it with the hopes to win it again!

We also do not offer premiums.

Why?

We simply do not feel like they are necessary.

So, why bring your sheep to the show?

Pride.
In your flock, and a job well done.

To be glad that you're there, have the time of your life with like-minded people and maybe pick up new stock for the coming breeding season.
Maybe get that a rosette or one of those special cups.

Never fear, it’s the sheep that are being judged!

We understand that it can be unnerving to do something unfamiliar for the first time, we’ve been there! But, you will not be alone, and the focus is on the sheep!

Everything will be explained and all questions answered before we begin.

Welcome to Escanaba!

Hotels, inns, and cabin rentals galore, with plenty of fine and casual dining options.

Campsites at the UP State Fairgrounds are also available (full hook up) for $40/night, along with food vendors onsite.

For camping, that can be reserved on the Showman App or by emailing or calling us.

Hotel options:

-Rooms are blocked with a discounted rate at Comfort Suites, Escanaba, MI:

Has small waterpark and free hot breakfast.

Call (906) 261-0998 and tell them you are with the NAHSS for the discount!

-Terrace Bay Hotel, Gladstone, MI:

Right on Lake Michigan with a boardwalk, tavern, swimming pool/hot tub, and coffee shop.

For more lodging and dining information, check out the list HERE.

We are excited that YOU are excited!

You should be, you’re going to have a fantastic time!

We have been working behind the scenes to make this event so special for you, we pretty much have everything covered or in the works.

The biggest help?

Attendance and publicity-

Come, and spread the word!

We understand you probably have questions, we want to get those answered!

Reach out to us anytime via email at farm@pellspiepatch.com, or by telephone (906) 287-5041.