WINNER of the prestigious Hugh Stevenson Memorial award, is Kevin Lawrie, whose family farm at several units in Ayrshire to include Sandyford – the home of the late Mr Stevenson.

It was also an extremely proud moment for Ayrshire Cattle Society chairman, Gilmour Lawrie, too, when he presented the trophy at the 2017 Ayrshire Cattle Young Breeders' Rally, to his son Kevin, who as a result, wins an exchange visit to New Zealand in January, 2017.

In all, just shy of 50 enthusiastic young competitors took part in the rally, in Ulster, Northern Ireland, where individuals took part in various stock judging, sire selection, cattle clipping, holding and showmanship events.

The aim of the rally is to offer training and tuition for these events to the junior members and beginners whilst the results of each of all the competitions go towards the Hugh Stevenson award for the over 17yrs whilst the under 17s compete for the John Cochrane trophy.

Evening entertainment on two nights created many laughs and enjoyment for all, with the final witnessing the presentation of awards at the Chimney Corner Hotel, where competitors were joined by many of the Ulster club and sponsors.

Ellie McLean from Bushmills, Co Antrim, won the John Cochrane trophy.

LEADINGawards

Seniors – Stock-judging – 1, Kevin Lawrie, Ayrshire; 2, Shaun Rennie, Ayrshire; 3, Matthew McLean, N Ireland. Sire selection – 1, Asher Bradley Seddon, Derbyshire; 2, James Danforth, Yorkshire; 3, Shaun Rennie, Ayrshire. Clipping – 1, Chris Window (jnr), Midlands; 2, Beth Mellish, South East; 3= Kevin Lawrie, Ayrshire and Jake Sayer, Devon. Holding – 1, Caroline McConnell, N Ireland; 2, James Millar, Airdrie; 3, Julie Weatherup, N Ireland. Showmanship – Senior – 1, Laura Partington, Lancashire; 2, James Danforth, Yorkshire; 3, Jamie Keenan, Ireland. Mature – 1 and champion showman, Beth Mellish, South East; 2, David Watson, Wigtownshire; 3, Kevin Lawrie, Ayrshire

Juniors – Stock-judging – 1, Evie Tomlinson, Derbyshire; 2, Millie Tomlinson, Derbyshire; 3, George Oultram, Cheshire. Sire selection – 1, Ellie McLean, N Ireland; 2, Evie Tomlinson, Derbyshire; 3, Jack King, N Ireland. Clipping – 1, Rachel Corley, Ireland; 2, Adam Montgomerie, Ayrshire; 3, Katie Gordon, N Ireland. Holding – 1, Hollie Keenan, Ireland; 2, Megan Stratton, Cornwall; 3, Ellie McLean, N Ireland. Showmanship – Juniors – 1, Millie Tomlinson, Derbyshire; 2, Hollie Keenan, Ireland; 3, Jack King, N Ireland. Intermediates – 1 and reserve overall showman, Evie Tomlinson, Derbyshire; 2, Ellie McLean, N Ireland; 3, Rachel Corley, Ireland.