We had the incredible opportunity to join Romeo Eggel and Phillip Schmidt, front and centre, keeping pace with grading in two Swiss villages.
First Stop: Hohtenn
Our first stop was Hohtenn, where grading took place just 100 metres from a local wedding. The atmosphere was electric, with a real sense of community, and the air horns from passing vehicles celebrating the happy couple added a memorable soundtrack to the day.
The sheep were wonderful, and the Swiss breeders were exceptionally welcoming and friendly. It was an ideal setting to immerse ourselves in the local culture while honing our grading skills.
Up the Mountain: Ferden
Next, we journeyed up the mountain to Ferden, a stunning location with breathtaking views. While the scenery differed from Hohtenn, the locals’ warmth and hospitality remained the same.
Here, we had the chance to further refine our eye for grading and enjoyed meeting animals from multiple breeders. A highlight was a special photo with the expert judges, Phillip Truffer and the maximum point ewes he was celebrating — a real testament to the quality of the breed in Switzerland.
Zermatt
The following day we attend the centre of Valais Sheep culture – Zermatt. We arrived at the grading area to find an out door church ceremony in progress with the beautiful Matterhorn as the scenic back drop. There was a small traditional band playing and it was a truly wonderful to see.
We followed the Swiss head grader Richard Zeiter and fellow grader Nicolas. With all of the wonderfull experience we had been exposed to we were finally honing are skills and matching the gradings of the Swiss judges. A lot of fantastic knowledge gained and a truly magical experience.
A Non-Sheep Discovery
Away from the sheep, we discovered a delicious twist on raclette — melted over BBQ pork fillet. It was a culinary revelation and an unexpected highlight of the trip.
This experience was an incredible opportunity to deepen our understanding of Valais sheep, connect with passionate breeders, and enjoy the unique culture and cuisine of Switzerland.