PREVIOUSLY unshown calves claimed the top tickets among the British Blues but it was a heifer that landed husband and wife team, Roly and Melanie Carr, their first red, white and blue ticket at the Agri-Expo when she was tapped in to the top spot.

Making her first outing one to remember, that was Homilton Lottie, an ET-bred yearling heifer by Heros du Peroy and out of the show cow, Homilton Iris, one of nine in the Carrs' herd now based at Little Bavington, Capheaton, Newcastle, following their move just a month ago.

The second prize heifer from the same class followed her all the way through to stand reserve supreme for John Stephenson, who runs 15 pure cows alongside 65 commercials at Bordley Green, Hetton, Skipton. Another on her first outing, that was Bordley Maltesers, a January-born daughter of Tanat Harlequin, a bull bought at Carlisle as a yearling. Maltesers is out of the Chelford-bought Oxcroft Cornelia.

Among the bulls it was Kevin Watret's 13-month-old Solway View Lenny that was to the fore to stand male champion for Kevin, of Northfield Park, Annan, and stockman Ali Jackson. This ET-bred lad by Colos Van Daisel is out of the previous Highland Show champion which has bred further champions in the shape of Broomfield Vivien.

Stonebyres Minstrel, a February-born son of the AI bull Kersey Geronimo, was reserve male for Blair and Show Comrie's 20-cow herd at The Beeches, Stonebyres, Lanarkshire. Equalling last year's result with another Geronimo son, Stonebyres Levi, Minstrel is a heifer's calf out of Stonebyres Jazz.

LEADING awards:

(Judge: Sam Martin, Springhill herd, County Down, Northern Ireland).

Bulls – Bull born between October 1 and December 31, 2016 – 1, male champion and best opposite sex to champion, K Watret’s Solway View Lenny; 2, B Haigh’s Luce Water Lord of the Rings; 3, K Watret’s Solway View Leroy. Bull born between January 1 and February 28, 2017 – 1 and reserve male, A and CS Comrie’s Stonebyres Minstrel; 2, JS Stephenson’s Brodley Mr T; 3, A and CS Comrie’s Stonebyres Mack. Bull born between March 1 and May 31, 2017 – 1, K Watret’s Solway View MacLeod; 2, I McGarva’s Abington Marvin; 3, A and CS Comrie’s Stonebyres Murdo.

Heifers – Heifer born between October 1 and November 7, 2016 – 1, K Blackwood and D Davidson’s Blackstane Little Princess; 2, K Watret’s Solway View Lavender; 3, D Townend’s Clifftown Limited Edition. Heifer born between November 8, 2016, and January 31, 2017 – 1, female champion and supreme champion, R Carr’s Homilton Lottie; 2, reserve female and reserve supreme, JS Stephenson’s Bordley Maltesers; 3, D Saunders’ Maidenlands Lush. Heifer born between February 1 and May 31, 2017 – 1, DJ and B Spours’ Brownridge Blues Madeline; 2, I McGarva’s Abington Maisey; 3, K Watret’s Solway View Madonna.

Young handlers – 1, Holly Bellas; 2, Ross Comrie; 3, Joe Jones.

Progeny – 1, K Watret; 2, A and CS Comrie; 3, JS Stephenson.