The sheep-loving three-year-old who's winning awards (and hearts) by showing his flock at fairs

By Daily Mail Reporter


There's a new rising star in the world of agricultural shows - and he's only three years old.

William Mullin, from Marsden in West Yorkshire, has been beating more experienced handlers to take home a number of sheep-showing prizes.

He started entering farming fairs aged two, and will soon compete in a Champion of Champions contest.

Prodigy: Three-year-old William Mullin has been training sheep for over a year


His mother, Jamie Mitchell said: 'He is such a keen farmer and has won lots of awards.

'His latest competition was the Great Yorkshire Show. He competed in the three to nine-year-old category for sheep handlers and came second. The crowd roared as he collected his prize.'

William comes from a long line of successful handlers. His grandfather, 54-year-old Clive Mitchell, started sheep showing when he was 10.

His father, 27-year-old Daniel Mullin, has also recently got involved in the sport.

Animal lover: William now has his own flock of sheep to look after


Ms Mitchell added: 'William has competed in main events and won two. One of them was the trophy he took home from Harden Moss Sheepdog Trials. William’s granddad had won it for the past two years.

'We are keeping it in the family. William has told me that he cannot wait to be a farmer.

'He goes to the shows and talks to all the farmers. He has developed a true broad Yorkshire accent and talks in lingo that some of us don’t even understand.

'The other day on the farm he released the sheep dogs and tried to round up the sheep by himself. He came back and told us that the dogs were already back in the pen.'


Champion: William has beaten dozens of more experienced herdsmen at agricultural shows


William started sheep showing when he was two after he trained his lamb, Laddie. He has won several competitions with Laddie, but has now acquired a whole flock of sheep.

He will compete in August with his sheep Boris at the Halifax Agricultural Show. To prepare for the event, William is responsible for washing the sheep, brushing them up and making sure that their behaviour is impeccable while they follow him around the ring.

He must wear smart attire for the competition as he is also judged on this.

Having won his category at Harden Moss Sheepdog Trials, William is due to compete against other winners in the Champion of Champions competition at the Hope Show in Derbyshire on August Bank Holiday weekend.

Animal-lover William turns four in August and will start full-time at Marsden Infant and Nursery School in September.


source:dailymail