MORE than 2000 sheep were whittled down to the top 26 breed champions in what was an impressive display for both the large crowds round the ring side and the man in charge of placing the inter-breed sheep champion, Willie Sanderson.
Mr Sanderson, of Blackshield, Midlothian, is no stranger to the sheep rings at the Royal Highland as he took on the chief steward’s role in 1990 and is a former chairman. It was a different pressure on his shoulders this year however, and he was the first inter-breed judge to have no connections to any pedigree breed.
He gave each sheep a thorough handling and watched them run before making his short-leet, though it was the Charollais champion from the Ingram family that really caught his eye to be picked as supreme of the show.
“It was a tremendous show of sheep, but the Charollais was very correct, being long and wide, and very difficult to fault,” said Mr Sanderson, who said his judging task was a great honour.
This strapping two-crop ewe from Willie and Carole, together with sons, Gregor and Bruce, daughter Amy and Gregor’s wife, Julie, was bred at home at Logie Durno, Pitcaple, and is by Riverdale Noble. The Ingrams, who were landing their second overall title – having last won back in 2009 – had a cracking Highland as they lifted all four top tickets in the Charollais section. This ewe also won The Scottish Farmer Centenary Perpetual Trophy for being the best home-bred exhibit.
In reserve spot was the Bluefaced Leicester leader from the traditional section, a Mendick-bred two-shear from Alan McClymont and sons, Sam and Oliver, Tinnis, Yarrow. He was bought in partnership with Philiphaugh Estate at Kelso Ram Sales for £3200.
In second reserve was Roderick ‘Rocket’ Runciman’s North Country Cheviot champion, a two-crop ewe from the Allanshaws flock near Galashiels. Rocket was ably aided by son Lewis, who proved his worth by going on to win the young handlers’ competition.
Also forward in the short-leet from the accredited section were the Border Leicester, Hampshire Down, Zwartbles, Blue Texel and Texel leaders, while the equivalent from the non-accredited ring included the Jacob, Scotch Mule, commercial unit, crossing-type Bluefaced and the Cheviot winners.
The following day’s inter-breed pairs saw John Dykes, who runs the Mendick flock of Bluefaced Leicesters and Mendick stud of Highland ponies, at South Slipperfield, West Linton, in charge of judging.
An impressive entry of 23 pairs was put in front of him and, despite being a traditional man in the Blue world, it was the crossing pair that he selected for the top title. That included the champion, a two-crop ewe from Malcolm Thornborrow and sons, Craig and Gary, of Easter Dawyck, Stobo, which was joined by the £15,000 G33 Midlock Night Rider from by Jamie Pirie, Blarnavaid, and Andrew Campbell, Drimsynie.
“It’s difficult to get a pair to match, but the two I finished up with handled well and were the best match,” said Mr Dykes. “He’s a very powerful tup, but the ewe stood up well beside him.”
In reserve was the Cheviot pair, both from the Common family’s Crossdykes flock, near Lockerbie. The male, and breed overall, was four-shear Mainside Vicount, while the female leader was a home-bred gimmer by Crossdykes Major.
A total of 11 pairs were selected in the short-leet, including all the other two Cheviot duos as well as the pairs from the Blue Texel, Charollais, Rouge, Hampshire Down, Zwartbles, Ryedale and Shetland sections.
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