A newly formed Olds College Sheep Team is making its mark earning some early success showing at the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, Sask. The team’s strong debut was driven by a passionate Olds College of Agriculture & Technology student and supported by various faculty and staff at Olds College.
Scott Anderson, a first year Agricultural Management diploma student, holds a background in the sheep industry – raising and showing sheep since he was seven. During his first sheep handling lab at Olds College, he was looking at the College’s flock with a keen judging eye and noticed great potential.
Anderson approached Jay Steeves, Dean, Werklund School of Agriculture Technology, at the sheep handling lab about a possible opportunity to show some of the Olds College sheep. This conversation prompted Steeves and Darrell Hickman, Instructor, Werklund School of Agriculture Technology, to spearhead the Olds College Sheep Team. Hickman also chaperoned the team at Agribition, helping guide students through their first competition.
 |
 |
Anderson recruited several other Olds College students – many with little to no prior sheep experience – to join the team, including Emily Duncan, Georgia Cowan, Tanner Bunt, Amy Stelmack and Austin Thompson. Sharing his passion, Anderson took on the role of teaching his classmates about sheep confirmation and preparing for the show at Agribition.
“It was easy to support such a positive and engaged group of students as they worked well as a team to prepare, exhibit the sheep and represent Olds College to the industry at the Canadian Western Agribition,” says Hickman. “They are a prime example of what education can look like – hands on applied learning and real world scenarios executed with a best foot forward. I am proud of their initiative, effort and positive attitude in contributing to their education, as well as the community education they provided for so many who passed through the barns at Agribition.”
Students received help from Roger LeClaire, Smart Farm Worker and Lead for the Sheep Program, selecting the top five sheep to take to the show. From there, the students spent their lunch breaks and spare time halter breaking and practicing leading the sheep two to three times per week. The group of students raised over $3,000 in sponsorship within a few days to cover the cost of show fees, transportation and feed.
The students took six sheep to Agribition for the Sheep Show on Nov. 28, 2025 – the first time Olds College has shown their sheep in many years. Their efforts paid off, with Anderson and Stelmack placing first in their respective conformation classes, Cowan earning a second-place finish and Anderson taking top overall in showmanship.
“These students are a credit to Olds College and learned some very valuable hands-on skills, as they did all the hard work and coordination themselves,” says LeClaire. “I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved in making this happen and hope to continue highlighting our sheep program at Olds College.”
Building on the early success, the Olds College Sheep Team plans to compete again this spring, return to Agribition next fall, and potentially enter sheep into the sale at Agribition.