2026 Mid-American Shetland Sheep Show
September 11-13
Jefferson, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival
Jefferson County Fairgrounds
503 N. Jackson Ave, Jefferson, WI 53549
Become a MASS Show Sponsor
Sheep Show Class Sponsor
$45 USD
Fleece Show Class Sponsor
$25 USD
Meet the Judges
Fiona and Archie Hipwell
We started with Shetland sheep in 2011 when we moved 30 minutes north from Edinburgh to a 6-acre smallholding near Kinross. We wanted to have sheep that were small and, therefore easy to handle. We met some great Shetland sheep people by visiting local shows in our first summer - they were a wonderful source of encouragement, advice, and help, and continue to be the reason we enjoy the SSS.
We started with 6 gimmers and now have grown to a flock of around 40 (20 breeding ewes and another 20 (mainly lambs and a few old favourites!) that we run on over the winter, but have nearer 75 total over the summer after lambing, when we
have an additional 6 acres of seasonal grazing available.
We enjoy competing with our sheep and fleeces (with the grandchildren being involved too!) and have been delighted to have had repeated successes in the show ring and fleece competitions, including winning the Overall Champion Fleece at the Royal Highland Show with both a coloured fleece and white fleece in different years. Showing allows us to ensure we continue to aim to produce the highest quality that Shetland Sheep are famous for. We concentrate on breeding for correct conformation and quality wool, upholding the 1927 Breed Standard.
We produce and keep our own replacement females, but do buy in new male blood lines when required – this allows us to concentrate on the attributes we want to maintain or improve in our flock whilst reducing biosecurity risks and avoiding in-
breeding. We sell on stock for breeding and fibre flocks, whilst excess males are processed to provide meat boxes, which we sell locally.
Archie is a Director of the Shetland Sheep Society and is currently its Chairman. We are both Shetland Sheep Society Inspectors, and Fiona is a Judge and also a member of the Judges and Inspectors Panel. It is always interesting and enjoyable to see sheep from other parts of the country and a variety of flocks. It is an honour to be asked to judge, and we were particularly delighted to judge the sheep (Fiona) and
fleeces (Archie) at one of the Ruby Anniversary Shows in 2025. We are looking forward to seeing your sheep at Wincsonsin in 2026!
Garrett Ramsay
Garrett Ramsay lives near Winslow, Illinois, where he and his partner, Aaron, operate their farm. He previously lived on a 5th-generation dairy farm that has remained in his family since 1892. Garrett graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in Animal Science, emphasizing in Genetics and Nutrition. This foundation in animal genetics has served him well in his livestock breeding programs.
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Shetland Sheep
In October 2004, Garrett purchased his first Shetland Sheep, and they quickly became one of his favorite species. Over the years, he has built his flock to approximately 40-50 breeding ewes, (down from a high of 150 ewes when in Minnesota). In the last 10 years, his emphasis has been on horned rams with rare pedigrees, patterns, and genetics. His commitment to the breed has been recognized both domestically and internationally.
Garrett and Aaron have achieved significant success by showing their Shetlands at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, earning Supreme Champion in 2023 and Reserve Grand Champion Ewe in 2024, along with numerous class and group wins. FFSSA shows in Estes Park, CO, and Ames, IA, also had supreme champion (2015), Reserve Supreme (2018), and Reserve Grand Champion ewe (2019). Their flock has also excelled in fleece competition at the festivals.
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In 2024, Garrett became the first male outside the UK to complete the Judges and Inspector training through the Shetland Sheep Society. He has also been actively involved in importing superior genetics into the United States, including the 2021 importation of frozen semen from top-tier UK rams, working alongside other dedicated American breeders to bring exceptional bloodlines to their flocks.
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In addition to Shetlands, Garrett also keeps Leicester Longwool and Romeldale/CVM sheep, two more heritage breeds, enjoying their distinct characteristics and fiber qualities.
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Other Livestock Interests
Garrett has been involved with pigeons since 1993, winning many color classes/breed wins as well as a Best in Show. He also shows and breeds Cardigan Welsh Corgis, having been in the breed for 21 years and serving as a sweepstakes judge. In recent years, dogs he bred have achieved top national rankings, including the #1 agility Cardigan and #1 bitch in conformation, both competing at Westminster. His breeding program has produced three Best of Breed winners at the National Specialty and earned invitations to Crufts in the UK.
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Throughout all of his breeding programs, Garrett maintains a consistent philosophy: careful genetic selection, attention to breed standards, and a commitment to preserving heritage breeds and rare genetics for future generations.
