Hat-trick for dynamic duo

Blair from Huntly and Rebecca from Insch, have enjoyed notable success already this year but this big win with yet another top show calf, was the first of the season on home, Aberdeenshire turf.

Stepping out to take the tri-colour this time was Gold Rush, a 14-month-old Charolais cross heifer bought at Dungannon Auction Mart, in March. Bred by Alan Veitch, she was described as “an amazing heifer,” by the overall judge, Gary Mitchell, NFUS vice president.

For the supreme, she stood ahead of the lead sheep and horse winners. Supreme sheep was the Texel champion, a gimmer from first time Fettercairn exhibitor, Jemma Green, who runs just 11 ewes in her Corskie flock from Garmouth, Fochabers. Her show stopper is by Glenside Valhalla.

The inter-breed sheep title – selected on a points basis – saw the reserve go to the champion Suffolk, a gimmer from the Lorimer family, Cadgerford, Kingswells. She is by Ballynacannon Boss, and was going one better than her reserve win here last year.

The Agricar title – a competition which rotates around the various sheep sections and this year was presented to the best tup lamb – was won by a Texel by Arkle Ying Yang, from Kenny Pratt, Peterculter, with the reserve presented to an entry from Cadgerford.

Back amongst the cattle and Gerald and Morag Smith, Drumsleed, secured the reserve inter-breed beef honours with their lead Simmental, Drumsleed Farina. This three-year-old by Clonagh Buckarooney Truely, was paraded with heifer calf by Dibbinsdale Nobleman.

While continentals took the top two inter-breed beef placings, a Highland cattle duo from John and Jenny Singer’s Kintore Castle Fole from Auchenblae, scooped the inter-breed pairs trophy.

There was also another big win Hilary Mackie’s King Brex from Glenogil, too, when it secured it’s fifth successive horse championship.

Robin and Karen Stewart’s Westlodge Ashley, an 11-year-old grey mare took the blue and white horse sash.

LEADING awards Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: K Brown, Ledlanet, Kinross). Champion and reserve – Sandi (11) and Louise (14) Airth, West Kinmonth, Drumlithie. Supreme was the unregistered heifer, Molly, which was placed here last year and is of unknown breeding. Reserve was the only other entry, Joey, a two-month-old unregistered bull calf.

Highland (Judge: K Brown, Ledlanet). Champion – Louise Fotheringham, Cairncross, Glenesk, Brechin, with Jenny 5 of Mottistone, a three-year-old heifer by Uisdean of Mottistone out of a previous Mottistone Jenny. She was purchased as a foundation of a new fold and stood second in her class at the East of Scotland Club Show. Reserve – IW Adams, Banchory, with Peigi Padruaig of Killochries, a black yearling heifer by Padriag Duby of Guildenvale, out of Peigi Dubh 8 of Inver. She was bought privately from the Killochries fold and was attending her first show. Bull – Leys Estate, Leys Castle, Inverness. Bull calf, two-year-old heifer – J and J Singer, Kintore House, Auchenblae. Cow – G Noble, Lochton of Leys Farmhouse, Lochton. Three-year-old heifer – L Fotheringham. Yearling heifer – IW Adams.

Limousin (Judge: I Wilson, Three Battock Terrace, Torphins). Champion – Lesley Wylie, C/o Muirhouses, Kirriemuir, with the Alyth leader, Wylies Melody, a 17-month-old heifer that also stood reserve champion at Angus. This ET is bred from a Goldies Gigolo female and sired by Ampertaine Gigolo. Reserve – W McLaren, Muirhouses, Kirriemuir, with the black Limousin, McLarens Black Missy, a yearling heifer that stood second in her class to the champion. She is by Normans Gamir, out of a home-bred cow and also stood reserve at Alyth and second at Angus. Bull – A and J Gammie, Drumforber, Laurencekirk. Cow – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala Burnside, Whitecairns. Heifer – L Wylie.

Simmental (Judge: I Wilson, Torphins). Champion and reserve and reserve inter-breed – G and M Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun. Supreme was the home-bred three-year-old, Drumsleed Farina 14, by Clonagh Buckarooney Truely and out of Boars Head Karina. Champion at Angus and first in her class at the Highland, she was shown with January-born heifer calf at foot by Dibbinsdale Nobleman. Last year, she was champion at Angus and Banchory. Reserve was Drumsleed Horatio 16, a yearling bull by Ravensdale Chopper out of Drumsleed Bluebell that was reserve at Angus and reserve junior male at the Highland. Bull, cow, senior heifer – G and M Smith. Yearling – Heather Duff, Pitmundie, Brechin.

Cross cattle (Judge: A Taylor, Woodland, Ballater Road, Aboyne). Champion, inter-breed beef and overall champion of champions – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart, Huntly and Insch, respectively, winning their third overall title here. Supreme this time was Gold Rush, a 14-month-old Charolais cross heifer bred by Alan Veitch. She was bought at a show and sale at Dungannon Auction Mart, where Blair was judge and placed her champion. Placed fourth in her class at the Highland, she is sired by an Ashleigh bull, and is out of a Limousin cross British Blue. The partnership also secured the reserve honours with Thunderball, a 14-month-old British Blue cross out of a Limousin cross bullock, that stood second at the Highland. He was bought at Dingwall in January for £870 from his breeders, Shewglie Farms, Drumnadrochit.

Cow, heifer calf born between September 1, 2016 and January 1, 2017, 2017-born bullock calf – B Paterson, Cairndale Croft, Saughen. 2017-born heifer calf – I and E Grant, Banks of Gallery, Montrose. Bullock calf born between January 1, 2017 and September 1, 2016 – P Cooper and Son, Govals, Kincaldrum. Yearling heifer pair, yearling bullock showing no hard teeth – B Duffton and R Stuart Young handlers (Judge: S Hunter, Newbigging, Culsalmond, Insch). 1, Lewis Singer; 2, Gemma Smith; 3, Euan Singer.

Shetland (Judge: KL Adam, Pitfairn Road, Alloa). Champion – Mrs Louise Wilson, Cassindilly, Ceres, with Champlers Georgia, a seven-year-old yeld mare by Tweedside Spotlight out of Kinkell Gael, on her first outing. Reserve – I and F Bruce, Burghill, Brechin, with the three-year-old filly, Glasterlaw Opal which stood junior champion at the Stallion Show in 2016 and 2017. Her dam is Anastacia of Auckhorn. Yeld mare, under saddle, young handlers – Mrs L Wilson. Brood mare, foal – Eynhallow Stud, Eynhallow, Westown. Three-year-old, two-year-old – I and F Bruce. Under 34” – Ms Aimee Hugill, Rumbleyond, Rickarton, Stonehaven.

Highland ponies (Judge: Mrs V Osborne-Antolovi, Na Dailach House, Kinclunie). Champion and reserve and reserve horse – R and K Stewart, Stablebraes, Durris, Banchory. Supreme was West Lodge Ashley, an 11-year-old mare shown with five-week-old filly foal by Coulnacraig Jacobite. Champion at the Black Isle last year, this Coulnacraig Highlander daughter out of Laura of Craignetherty was also champion at Blair and the Highland Pony Breed Show, in 2015. Reserve was West Lodge Catriona which was reserve at Brechin Castle Spring Show. This seven-year-old yeld mare is also by Coulnacraig Highlander but out of Catrina of Denmill. Senior, brood mare with foal, foal – R and K Stewart. Yearling – Karen Andrew, Torrie Park, Easthaven. Three-year-old – Miss N Sanderson and D Cant, Birkhill Farmhouse, Arbroath. Under saddle – Kayleigh Moran, Kirkgate, High Street, Alyth.

Clydesdale (Judge: P Merry, Broughty Ferry). Champion – S Greenhill, Leuchars Lodge, Leuchars, Fife, with Macfin Ruby, a six-year-old yeld mare by Doura Highspirit, out of Kirkhouse Amazing Grace. Supreme at Alyth last year, Ruby was on her first outing of 2017. Reserve – V and M Peterkin, Mergie House, Rickarton, Stonehouse, with Bogton Holly, a two-year-old previously unshown filly by Bogton Druid, out of Phesdo Marjory. Brood mare – S Campbell and A Merchant. Yearling – B Warburton, Whitehills Crescent, Forfar. Two-year-old, young handlers – V Peterkin. Senior gelding – K Gibb, East Kingford, Kingswells. Mare – S Greenhill.

Blackface (Judge: A Mitchell, Tullymurdoch, Alyth). Champion – A Petrie, Meikle Coull, Tannadice, Forfar, with a previously unshown ewe lamb that is a twin sister to the best lamb at Alyth Show from Mr Petrie. She is by a Newmill sire bought at Stirling, last year and out of a Glendamph bred ewe bought privately as a draft female. Reserve – B Cocker, Knowehead of Auldallan, Kirriemuir, with a previously unshown shearling ram that was bought last year at Ballymena Auction Mart from Sam Adams. He is by an £800 Auchdregnie. Aged ram, tup lamb – RC Myles, Dalbog, Edzell. Shearling ram – B Cocker. Ewe, ewe lamb – A Petrie. Gimmer – R Holman-Baird, Rickarton Estate, Stonehaven.

Suffolk (Judge: Mrs I Fowlie, Adzeil, Strichen). Champion and reserve and reserve sheep – Mrs JA Lorimer, Cadgerford, Kingswells, Aberdeen. Leader was a home-bred gimmer that stood reserve here last year. She was shown by Stuart Lorimer and is by Ballynacannon Boss out of a ewe by Strathisla Fencer – one of 40 in the Cadgerford flock. Reserve was a January-born tup lamb by the same sire, out of a home-bred ewe, on his first outing. He also stood reserve in the Agricar competition – a trophy which goes round the various sheep sections and this year saw all the ram lambs of the various breeds compete. Aged ram, tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – Mrs JA Lorimer. Shearling ram – J Scott, Strathview, East Ingliston, Forfar.

Jacob (Judge: R Locker, Greenlaw Mill, Greenlaw). Champion and reserve – A Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly. Champion was Hope Knockout, a shearling ram bred by Wyn Harrison, that stood reserve at the Royal Welsh, last year. He was bought at the breed sale at St Boswells, is by Hyndshaw Highland Laddie and was on his first outing since. Reserve for Mr Christie’s 16-ewe Adamski flock was a ewe lamb that stood reserve breed champion at the Highland. She is by Dun Mor Antonio and out of Pentre Candie. Aged ram, tup lamb, ewe – J Milton, Newton of Auchindachy, Keith. Shearling ram, gimmer, ewe lamb – A Christie.

Any other native breed (Judge: DI Minto, Townhead, Dolphinton). Champion and reserve – D and B Henderson, Nether Toucks, Dunnottar, with Lleyns. Champion was a home-bred one-crop ewe that was best native at Echt Show last year. She is by a tup bought at Carlisle in 2012 from Bob Johnstone and this year stood sixth in her class at the Highland. Reserve for the 200-ewe Bardspart flock was a home-bred shearling ram by a tup bought from John Blaikie, Northumberland. Aged ram, tup lamb, ewe lamb – A Milne, Woodside Road, Banchory. Shearling ram, ewe, gimmer – D and B Henderson, Nether Toucks, Dunnottar.

Beltex (Judge: J MacLean, Mains of Culsh, New Deer). Champion – G and F Burke, Cairndrum Cottage, Edzell, Brechin, with a gimmer by Broxty Wishful Thinking, a tup bought at Carlisle for 3200gns, out of a ewe by Airyolland Kingsize. She was first at Angus. Reserve – A Alston, Drumchapel, Chapelton of Menmuir, Brechin, with a ewe also by Broxty Wishful Thinking on her first outing. She is bred from the champion winner here in 2014. Shearling ram, tup lamb, gimmer, ewe lamb – G and F Bruce. Ewe – A Alston.

Texel (Judge: B Buchan, Clinterty, New Aberdour). Champion and inter-breed sheep – Jemma Green, Corskie, Garmouth, with a home-bred gimmer by Glenside Valhalla, bred from a Strathbogie ewe by Strathbogie Terminator – one of only 17 ewes in the flock. Reserve – K Duthie, Woodside of Chapelton, Brechin, with the previously unshown shearling ram, Milnbank Yahoo which was bought privately from Robbie Wilson. He is by Glenside Willy Nilly and out of a Milnbank ewe. Reserve Agricar was a tup lamb from K Pratt, Old Town, Peterculter, shown by Richard Reynolds. He is by Arkle Ying Yang and was on his first outing. Aged ram – A and T Greenhill, Westhill, Kellas. Shearling ram – K Duthie. Tup lamb, ewe lamb – K Pratt. Ewe, gimmer – J Green.

Any other continental breed (Judge: A MacKenzie, Whitebog, Fortrose). Champion – Penny Troup, Shaggart, Sauchen, Inverurie, with a Dutch Spotted ewe lamb by Blacklaw Bill, stock ram for the Gallowhill flock established just last year from eight imported ewes from the Netherlands. She goes back to the original Blacklaw Uno and was on her first outing. Reserve – D Miskelly, Corrybrae, Kildrummy, Alford, with a Zwartbles shearling ram bought at Carlisle, last year from the Liverton flock as stockram for the 20-ewe Corrybrae flock. Shearling ram – D Miskelly. Tup lamb, gimmer, ewe lamb – G and P Troup. Ewe – A Alston, Drumchapel, Chapelton of Menmuir.

Cross sheep (Judge: R Livesey, ANM Group, Thainstone). Champion – D Black, Minard, Cortachy, Kirriemuir, with a pen of three Texel cross gimmers bought at Forfar last year from Tullywhanland which will be sold in September. They were first at Alyth. Reserve – W and D Moir, Home Farm, Cairness, with a pen of February-born Suffolk cross lambs by a Cairness tup, out of home-bred Texel cross ewes. They were first at the Highland. Three native cross breeding sheep, three continental cross undressed butchers lambs – W Mather and Sons, Shandford, Brechin. Three continental cross breeding sheep – D Black. Three native-bred ewe lambs, three continental-bred ewe lambs – W and D Moir. Three native-bred bbutchers lambs undressed – G Reid, Gyratesmyre, Fordoun.

Singles – Champion – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Burnside, Whitecairns, with the tup lamb, C U Next Tuesday, a Rouge cross lamb out of a pure Texel ewe. Reserve – W Mather and Sons, Shandford, Brechin, Angus, with the second prize lamb, a Texel cross ewe lamb out of a home-bred Beltex cross ewe on its first outing. Ewe – W Mather and Sons. Gimmer – D Black. Lamb – A Ritchie.

Young handlers (Judge: Mrs I Fowlie, Adziel, Strichen). Champion – Rachel Burke, (13) Cairndrum Cottage, Edzell, Brechin, with the Beltex ewe lamb, Pentland Cha Cha. Reserve – Katie Lorimer (8) with a Suffolk ewe lamb from Cadgerford, Kingswells. Under 12s – 1, Katie Lorimer; 2, Robbie Burke; 3, Cameron Henderson. Age 13-16 years – 1, Rachel Burke; 2, R Anderson; 3, C Naismith.