Young handlers and livestock competitions remain a cornerstone of the Royal Bath and West Show, with exhibitors across the country now gearing up for another busy show season.

Among them is 15-year-old Sophie Long, who is preparing to take her Littlebrook pedigree Southdown and Blue Texel flocks on the showing circuit. And the Bath and West Show has played a pivotal part in her showing career from an early age.

"I first took part in a young handlers' class at the Bath and West when I was five," says Miss Long. "I borrowed a quiet Blue Texel ram lamb from Vicky Smith and Jess Maynard, with the only ambition of winning a pink rosette; luckily I got one!"

From then on, the desire for pink rosettes turned in to winning top ones, and young handlers' accolades followed, with championship wins at Royal Three Counties, Royal Norfolk, Ashby Show and the Welsh Winter Fair. Miss Long also scooped reserve champion wins at Tenbury and the Bath and West. "The Blue Texel Society is great at encouraging the younger generation in to showing, by having young handlers' classes at some shows, and I've been fortunate to be champion twice," she says.

"Young handlers' classes have been a great way to boost my confidence for showing my own sheep in pedigree classes. The camaraderie at these shows is great and I've made fantastic friends."

Growing up with the sheep has enabled Miss Long to see both sides of sheep farming, from breeding management and lambing to preparation for showing and selling. "But you don't have to be a farmer to compete at shows; the young handlers' are ideally placed to get practice and build confidence. If you're keen, simply contact someone you know who shows, ask if you can borrow a lamb and have a go!"

Alongside sheep showing – in which she is now stepping into a judging role - Miss Long has added another string to her bow, by picking up rosettes in the egg pavilion. "I breed Pekin Bantams and I love to show the eggs, particularly in years where avian flu has restricted live bird showing," she says. "To date, the Bath and West has been my most successful; winning champion contents and reserve overall champion of the show."

The Bath and West Show will always be her favourite. "It's a great environment for families as it falls in half term, and the team that run the sheep section are the best; it's always the one I get most excited about exhibiting at."

Work on the show team starts about a month before the first event, selecting the best sheep from the flock, clipping, washing and trimming them.

Having washed 22 sheep to choose from, Sophie's team will consist of 10 across both her flocks. One Southdown ram lamb – Gavin - she thinks a lot of, and he will likely remain as a stock ram after the show season. "It will be nice to get him out for other breeders to see. I've had reserve breed champion at the Bath and West, so who knows, I'd love to go one further!"

Looking to the future, Miss Long is keen to combine her love of sheep farming, alongside following her inherited passion of livestock photography. "I'd like to go to Hartpury College and have a year out working somewhere else to gain more experience, and hopefully bring some thoughts to the home farm and marketing business."

And while she adores the Blue Texel flock, it's clear her true passion lies with the Southdown breed. "The Blues have been a fantastic breed to gain confidence and knowledge, but I'm keen to cement the family's heritage in the breed."

·       The Royal Bath & West Show will take place at The Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN, from 28–30 May. Buy tickets at https://www.bathandwest.com/tickets-3