Saint-Priest-Ligoure, a small village located in the Haute-Vienne region of France, recently hosted the Ovinpiades competition, which aims to award the title of best shepherd in the world. This year, the competition saw a record-breaking number of female participants, with 12 out of the 29 contenders being young women. Among them was Iris Soucaze, the lieu favorite.
Traditionally, the job of shepherd has been predominantly male. However, in recent years, there has been a significant rise in the number of women taking up this challenging and rewarding career. This is evident in the Ovinpiades competition, where more and more young women are excelling in the field.
Iris Soucaze, a 21-year-old from Saint-Priest-Ligoure, is a prime example of this trend. Growing up in a family of shepherds, Iris has always been passionate about working with animals and the great outdoors. She has been tending to her family’s flock of sheep since she was a young girl, and her dedication and hard work have paid off, as she has now become one of the top shepherds in the world.
The Ovinpiades competition not only tests the physical abilities of the participants but also their knowledge and skills in various aspects of sheep farming, such as animal welfare, genetics, and pasture conduite. Iris excelled in all these areas, impressing the judges with her expertise and passion for the job.
When asked about her experience in the Ovinpiades, Iris said, « It was a dream come true for me to compete in this international event, and I am honored to represent my village and country. I hope to inspire more young women to pursue a career in shepherding and showcase that this is not just a man’s job. »
The growing number of female participants in the Ovinpiades competition reflects the changing landscape of the shepherding job. Women are breaking stereotypes and proving that they are just as capable and dedicated as their male counterparts. With more and more women entering the field, the future of shepherding looks bright and promising.
The Ovinpiades competition in Saint-Priest-Ligoure was a celebration of not just the best shepherds in the world, but also the growing presence of women in this traditionally male-dominated job. Iris Soucaze and the other female participants have proven that with hard work, determination, and a love for animals, anyone can be the best shepherd in the world.