Continentals lead at Angus

Dinmore Jack The Lad

Jim Muirhead and his daughter Alison Gray’s Firhills herd from Letham, also enjoyed a good day winning the reserve inter-breed beef championship and the runner up trophy in the groups of three.
Living up to her name to take the individual blue and white sash for this 30-cow herd was Firhills Lady, a two-year-old heifer by Maerdy Grenadier out of Ugie Heidi, which was bought as a calf at foot at the Ugie dispersal. Lady then teamed up with her two herd mates, Firhills Leona and Firhills Maisie to life the reserve group.

It was nevertheless continental cross calves from Aberdeenshire’s Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart of Huntly and Insch, that made the biggest impression when their entries first won the inter-breed group of three and then the supreme beef pairs.

Beef group of three from Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart

Their winning trio comprised of two black British Blue yearlings and a black Limousin cross which had been bought out of Dingwall, Brecon and Ruthven, respectively, with the supreme pair, brought out with assistance from Deborah Atkinson and Debbie Watt, made up of the first two.
Simmentals from Heather Duff, Pitmuidie, secured the reserve pairs.
A cracking line-up of sheep also saw the top winners come head to head for the overall based on the various breed judges awarding points, with the supreme emerging as the any other breed champion, a Charollais from regular winners, William and Carole Ingram, Logie Durno, Pitcaple. 
Their show stopper, which was awarded 39 points, was a two-crop ewe shown by sons Gregor and Bruce and daughter Amy. Reserve champion at the Royal Welsh last year, she is by Riverdale Noble.

Supreme sheep from Logie Durno

Coming an extremely close second with 38 points was the Suffolk supreme from Graeme Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie. His home-bred two-crop ewe on her first outing is by Deveronvale Doodlebug and out of a Strathisla Stiffler-sired ewe.

Graeme Christie's Suffolk leader and reserve overall sheep

A well-known Blackface show gimmer from Mark and David Simpson, Sidlaw, Blairgowrie, took the honourary reserve. Their two-crop ewe is by an £1100 Dullater and out of a ewe by a £5000 Dalchirla.
While continentals dominated, it was nevertheless, very much a native, that scooped the supreme horse honours, when Robin and Karen Stewart’s nine-year-old Highland mare, West Lodge Alby, from, Stablesbrae, Durris, was tapped out. Well-known on the show circuit in her younger days, Alby is by Echo of Achinacarry.

LEADING awards

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: H Sclater, Denhead, Turriff). Champion – A Rennie, Mosston Muir, Forfar, with Mosston Muir Excalibur, a January 2014-born bull that stood male champion at Fife this year and first at the Highland, last year. This home-bred stock bull for the 11-cow herd, is by Netherallan Peter Pershore and out of a home-bred cow. Reserve – D Raeburn, Burnside of Tulloes, Letham, with Blelack Topboy, a 14-month-old bull by Blelack Prince Consol, bought as a calf at foot alongside his dam at the Blelack sale. He was on his first show outing. Senior bull, junior bull, intermediate heifer, junior heifer, calf – A Rennie. Intermediate bull, cow, senior heifer – D Raeburn.
Commercial cattle (Judge: D Blair, Little Inch, Wormit). Champion – W Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Gilmerton, Crieff, with Miss Tees, a British Blue cross heifer by Valdiz, out of a Limousin cross cow. Champion at West Fife and Fife Shows, this 17-month-old heifer was bred by the Thomson Family from East Unthank and bought at Middleton in Teesdale. Reserve – J Lumgair, Gask, Forfar, with a unnamed Limousin cross bred by John and Craig Robertson, Pitlochry. Cow, heifer calf – I and G Grant, Banks of Gallery, Montrose. Bull calf born September 1, 2016 and before December 31, 2016, heifer calf born after September 1, 2016 and before December 31, 2016, heifer born before September 1, 2016 – W Peters. Bullock born before September 1, 2016 – J Lumgair. Bullock pair – A and L Nelson, Mains of Lundie. Heifer pair – B Duffton and R Stuart, Huntly.
Simmental (Judge: B Soutar, Peasiehill, Arbroath). Champion and reserve – G and M Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk.  Supreme was Drumsleed Farina, a three-year-old heifer by Clonagh Buckarooney Truelye which is the result of the in-calf Boars Head Karina 2, bought privately from Rhys Grenham. She was paraded with January-born heifer calf at foot that stood first in her class. Last year, Farina was reserve at the national breed show at the Black Isle and champion at Kirriemuir and Fettercairn. Standing reserve was the family’s Drumsleed Horatio, a previously unshown 17-month-old bull by the privately purchased Ravensdale Chopper out of Drumsleed Bluebell. Senior bull, cow, intermediate heifer, calf – D and M Smith. Junior bull – H Brunton. Senior heifer, junior heifer – Heather Duff, Pitmuirie, Brechin.
Charolais (Judge: D Murray, Wolflaw, Forfar). Champion and reserve inter-breed cattle – DJ Muirhead, Firhills, Letham, with the previously unshown heifer, Firhills Lady, a two-year-old by Maerdy Grenadier, out of Ugie Heidi, which was bought as a calf at foot at the Ugie dispersal. Reserve – B and G Wright, Lagavaich, Glenlivet, with Lagavaich Lucy, a 23-month-old heifer  by Inverlochy Ferdi that stood second in her class to the champion. She is out of Kelton Finesse, a cow that stood champion here in 2012. Bull – B and G Wright. Senior heifer – DJ Muirhead. Junior heifer – E Scott.
Limousin (Judge: I Wilkinson, Balgay Farm Cottage, Inchture). Champion and supreme beef – A and J Gammie, Drumforber, Laurencekirk, with Dinmore Jack The Lad, a bull bought privately last May. This rising three-year-old is by the French sire Requin, and out of Dinmore Caprice. Previously unshown, this massive bull is stock bull for the 25-cow herd and is destined for next week’s Highland Show. Reserve – Lesley Wylie, with the 16-month-old ET heifer, Wylies Melody, an Ampertaine Gigolo daughter bred from Goldies Gigolo. She stood second at the Stars of the Future for the small cow herd. Senior bull – A and J Gammie. Junior bull – A Beattie. Cow – A Ritchie, Tamala, Burnside, Whitecairns, Aberdeen. Senior heifer – C and J Hendry.  Junior heifer – L Wylie.
Any other native (Judge: H Sclater). Champion and reserve – JM Cant and Partners, Easter Knox, Arbirlot, Arbroath, with Hereford heifers. Supreme was the 17-month-old Panmure 1 Plum, a Solpoll 1 Ferrari daughter on her first outing, bred from a previous home-bred Plum. Reserve for this 15-cow herd was another previously unshown Panmure Plum bred from the same cow. This in calf heifer is by Hawksbury 1 Volcano. Both are destined for next week’s Highland. Senior bull – Mrs J Howman, Blacklunans, Blairgowrie. Junior bull, senior heifer, junior heifer – JM Cant and Partners. Cow, calf – Doreens Dexters, Tamala, Burnside Aberdeen.
Highland cattle (Judge: A Smith, Balnabroich, Strathardle). Champion – D and B MacNaughton, Kelty, with the three-year-old heifer, Hayley 1 of Rannoch, a Connor of Lagg daughter bred from Hayley 4 of Earn that stood champion at the Black Isle, last year. Reserve – J and J Singer, Kintore House, Auchenblae, Laurencekirk, with the 15-month-old bull, Dubh Armunn of Seam, bought at Oban in February, from Simon Haley. Second at the North and East Club Shows, this youngster is by Ruadh Nero of Seam and out of Diorbhail 2 of Cornsay Lodge by Gille Dubh 2 of Craigowmill. Bull – J and J Singer.  Senior heifer, intermediate heifer, junior heifer – D and B MacNaughton.
Young handlers (Judge: D Murray). Age 12 and under – 1, Lewis Singer; 2, Ewan Singer. 13-18 years – 1, Louis Scott; 2, Ruan West; 3, Lyndsay Nelson.
Clydesdale (Judge: W Craig, Rashillhouse, Stewarton). Champion – A and J Greenhill, Upper Tulloes, Letham, with Tulloes Blossom, a two-year-old filly by Collessie Stepping Stone, that stood champion at the Spring Show and reserve at Fife. Reserve – J Gibb, Shoemakers Croft, Clola, Mintlaw, with the six-year-old gelding, Collessie Full Monty, a son of Collessie Stepping Stone out of Sandhill Ellie May. A well-known show winner, he was reserve champion at Brechin Castle last month and best gelding at the Thainstone Spring Show. Last year he was reserve at Banchory and the Forfar Foal show and best gelding at Turriff, Aberdeen and Banchory. Gelding, ridden – J Gibb. Brood mare with foal, foal – S Campbell and A Merchant. Yearling filly – B Warburton. Two-year-old filly – A and J Greenhill. One  or two-year-old colt or gelding – Nadine Cadenhead. Young handlers – Kiera Gowans.
Shetland (Judge: J Wilson, Leys of Cowden). Champion – Louise Wilson, Cassindilly, Ceres, with the five-year-old mare, Cassindilly Roxy, a daughter of Southfieldgate Valiant, out of Millhouse Rhythm, that stood champion standard Shetland at the Central Scotland Shetland Pony Group Spring Show and reserve at Neilston, this year. Reserve – Mrs Brenda Laing, Eynhallow Stud, Westown, Carse of Gowrie, Perth, with Eynhallow Dew, a three-year-old filly by Brockville Vintage, out of Eynhallow Bloom. Junior champion at Braco and at the Central Scotland Spring Show, in 2015, she was also junior champion at Fife and Central Fife in 2016. This year, Dew picked up the reserve junior at Fife and West and Central Fife and reserve overall at Angus. Mare with foal, yearling – Mawcarse Shetlands. Foal, senior gelding – K and A Scott, Braes of Kerryston, Kellas. Two or three-year-old – Eynhallow Stud. Yeld mare – L Wilson. Stallion – W and P Robertson, Newhame Road, Montrose. Bred pair – Donna Lochtie. Any age Shetland – Wendy Irons. Young handler, open ridden – Lewis Wilson, Cassindilly. Novice ridden – Finlay MacDonald-Lewis.
Highland pony (Judge: Mrs Rebecca Chalmers, Millhorn Farm). Champion and supreme horse – R and K Stewart, Stablesbrae, Durris, with the nine-year-old grey mare, West Lodge Alby, shown with three-week-old colt foal at foot by Coulnacraig Jacobite. Alby is by Echo of Achinacarry, out of West Lodge Amy and won the Aberdeen Spring Show and Tarland as a three-year-old. Reserve – Sarah Macintosh, Greystone, Peterhead, with Lochewe Magnus, a nine-year-old gelding and regular ridden winner. Bred by Kerry McLennan, Magnus is by MacTalla of Ben Aslig and out of Bidwell Tristar May. She boasts several top wins to include reserve at the Caledonian Mountain and Moorland. Mare – R and K Stewart. Yeld mare – C McQuattie, Strathmore, Kingsmuir, Angus. Two or three-year-old filly – K Lawson and W Sinclair. Junior gelding – N Sanderson and D Cant. Senior gelding – S Shepherd. Yearling – Hazel and Lisa Lundie. Young handlers – Naomi Keay. Novice ridden – Mrs Heather Gow, Donora Farms, Pitscandly, Forfar. Open ridden – S Macintosh.
Sheep young handlers (Judge: A Taylor, Heatheryhall). 12years and under – 1, Jack Jacobsen; 2, Robbie Burke; 3, Jack Anderson. 13-16 years – 1, Finn Christie; 2, Rachael Burke; 3= Euan Robertson and Fraser Dandie.
North Blackface (Judge: B MacKinnon, Lynemore, Amulree). Champion – D Nicol, Viewmount, Glenisla, with a ewe lamb by a Doldy ram used on loan and sired by a £1400 Craigneich. She is out of a home-bred ewe by a Noel Frew-bred ram. Reserve – D Beaton, Newmill, Memus, with a two-crop ewe that won the area stockjudging at Forfar, in 2015. She is by a 4000gns McEvoy sire and out of a home-bred ewe. Aged ram – RC Myles and Son, Dalbog, Edzell. Shearling ram, ewe lamb, gimmer, tup lamb – D Nicol. Ewe – D Beaton.
South Blackface (Judge: G Sinclair, Carnavel, Carsphairn). Champion – M and D Simpson, Sidlaw, Blairgowrie, with the champion winner from 2015, a home-bred two-crop ewe by an £1100 Dullatur, out of a ewe by a £5000 Dalchirla. A regular winner, she was also reserve at Alyth as a gimmer. Reserve – Katie Fairlie, Glen Cally, with a previously unshown ewe hogg by a £7000 Troloss, out of a Midlock-bred draft ewe. Tup lamb, ewe, ewe lamb – M and D Simpson.
Beltex (Judge: A Taylor, Heatheryhall, Biggar.) Champion – B Wylie, Balbrydie, Kirriemuir, with a gimmer by Graham’s T Rex, a ram purchased at Carlisle in 2014 that bred the 2015 Lanark tup lamb champion. Previously unshown, she is out of Balrydie Sunlight. Reserve – R Gregor, Oakfield, Thainstone, Inverurie, with a home-bred shearling ram by the 4000gns Tercrosset Action Man, on his first outing. Tup – R Gregor. Tup lamb, ewe – G and F Burke, Cairndrum Cottage, Edzell. Gimmer, ewe lamb – B Wylie.
Cross sheep (Judge: G Laughton, East Shawtonhill, Chapelton). Champion and reserve – W Mather and Sons, Shandford, Brechin. Supreme was a pen of three March-born Texel lambs by a Logie Durno sire and out of Texel cross Beltex ewes. They were on their first outing. Standing reserve was a pen of three home-bred Beltex cross gimmers by a ram bought from Kenny O’Connor at Lanark, and out of Texel cross ewes. One of the three stood first at Fettercairn, last year. Three continental lambs, three undressed lambs, three gimmers – W Mather and Sons. Three native lambs, cross ewe with lamb(s) – Moir Livestock, Turriff.
Suffolk (Judge: J Barclay, Mid Brockloch, Maybole). Champion and reserve supreme sheep and reserve – GH Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie. Supreme overall was a previously unshown home-bred gimmer by the 10,000gns Deveronside Doodlebug out of a ewe by Strathisla Stiffler. Reserve was a two-crop ewe also on her first outing and by Strathisla Stiffler. Her dam is home-bred. Shearling ram, tup lamb – J Scott, East Ingliston, Forfar. Ewe, gimmer – GJ Christie. Ewe lamb – CA Croal. Untrimmed – C Whitton.
Texel (Judge: Mrs Hazel Laughton, East Shawtonhill). Champion – B Keillor, West Ingliston, Forfar, with a gimmer by Deveronvale Undertone 1, out of a home-bred ewe – one of only 15 in the flock. She was a show ewe lamb. Reserve – A and J Alston, Chapelton of Menmuir, Brechin, with an ET ewe lamb on her first outing. She is bred from an old Drumpark ewe and sired by a Stainton ram bought at Lanark last year for 2300gns. Aged ram – A and T Greenhill, Westerhall, Kellas. Tup lamb – Messrs Steel and Close. Ewe, gimmer – B Keillor. Ewe lamb – A and J Alston.
Jacobs (Judge: Miss M Connor, Bridgend, Linlithgow). Champion and reserve – Mrs and Mrs W Crowe, Heughhead, Arbroath. Champion was Hope Becky, last year’s breed leader at the Highland. This two-crop is by a Hope sire and out of a home-bred ewe. Standing reserve was a tup lamb out of the ewe that bred the champion. All classes – Mr and Mrs W Crowe.
Any other breed (Judge: J Currie, Carlinside, Nemphlar). Champion and supreme sheep and reserve – W and C Ingram, Logie Durno, Pitcaple, with Charollais. Supreme was a home-bred two-crop ewe that stood reserve at the Royal Welsh last year. She is by Riverdale Noble and out of a ewe by Bawnard Bolt – one of 80 in the flock. Reserve was a previously unshown gimmer by Rhaeadr Orlando, last year’s breed leader at the Highland Show. The dam is the same ewe that bred the champion. All classes – W and C Ingram.