A CRACKING summer’s day for Echt Show saw a packed ringside witness the supreme beef champion, a Limousin heifer crowned supreme overall.

Strutting her stuff to go all the way to the top was Foxhillfarm Miss Money Penny, a two-year-old from Garry Patterson, Aultmore, Keith, that had been bought at Carlisle in May, for 10,000gns in partnership with Graham Morrison, Inchbruich. She is by the 38,000gns Foxhillfarm Irish Lad and was on her first outing since.

“She is a very well put together heifer, with a great top line and a lot of outcome,” said Andrew Gammie, the beef judge, who alongside the nominated sheep, goat and horse adjudicators awarded the Limousin the supreme overall.

While there is no reserve at this event which year in year out attracts some of the best livestock in the north east, Mr Gammie said their choice of supreme had been very close between the heifer and the sheep champion, a Charollais gimmer from Eilidh (16) and Erin (15) Duncan, Barnyards.

This was Braemuir Pandora, a home-bred daughter of Riverdale Noble that was providing the 22-ewe flock, with its first overall title here. A former reserve inter-breed champion winner last year, Pandora also made up part of the runner-up sheep group of four for the Duncan sisters.

Just pipped at the post, the blue and white sash amongst the sheep was presented to the lead Beltex, a gimmer from Stuart Wood’s Woodies flock from Woolhillock. His show stopper, a daughter of Todhall Sumo, made up part of the supreme group of four.

Back amongst the cattle and Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart from Huntly and Insch, respectively, continued on their winning ways to lift the reserve inter-breed individual and the supreme group of three.

The former was presented to their supreme overall from Fettercairn, Gold Rush, a 14-month-old Charolais cross heifer bought at Dungannon, while the latter was presented to a trio of black Limousin and British Blue cross calves.

Overall champion cow and calf was Aileen Ritchie’s five-year-old Limousin, Fodderletter Honeysuckle, from Tamala, bought privately in January 2016, from Michael Robertson. She is by Cawfields Dylan and was paraded with end of January-born bull calf.

Supreme cow however, was the Aberdeen-Angus, Mosston Muir Ingrid, a six-year-old from Graham Willox, Meikle Pitinnan, that was bought at the Mosston Muir dispersal for 11,500gns.

Inter-breed calf champion was a 10-month-old Charolais cross bullock from William and David Moir. It was bought out of Ireland from Pearse McName and is out of a Limousin cross cow.

Another massive show of horses saw the supreme go to the part-bred ridden arab, Chidook Shootin Times, from Sue Williamson, of Eskside Pony Stud, Justinhaugh, Forfar.

Leading the natives was the Clydesdale best, Rolling Thunder Maggie May, from Shona Campbell and Amanda Merchant, Fettercairn. Their home-bred three-year-old yeld mare is by Singlie Storm.

LEADINGawards

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: J McMillan, Craigmore, Farnell, Brechin). Champion – G Willox, Meikle Pitinnan, Oldmeldrum, with the six-year-old cow Mosston Muir Ingrid, which was bought in October 2015 at the Mosston Muir dispersal for 11,500gns. She was champion at Echt and New Deer and champion of champions at last year’s Scottish Beef championships at Keith. Reserve – M Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with the three-year-old cow, Tonley Fiona, with week-old bull calf at foot by Tonley Elgar. She is by Blelack Evor, out of a previous Tonley Fiona, stood second in her class to the champion and second at the Beef Expo in Carlisle. Senior bull – A Davie, Perkhill Estates, Perkhill House, Lumphanan. Junior bull – R Gardiner, Newton Smiddy, Lyne of Skene, Westhill. Cow, calf – G Willox. Senior heifer – Fiona Willox, Westbank Park, Oldmeldrum. Junior heifer – M Wattie.

British Blonde (Judge: D Laird, Lochhead, East Wemyss, Fife). Champion and reserve – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith. Supreme was the home-bred two-year-old in-calf heifer, Strathisla Lavender, by Strathisla Hero – a bull that was retained for breeding after standing reserve at the Highland in2014 – out of Strathisla Brandy. Lavender was a regular class winner last year and stood first again in her class at the Highland last month. Reserve was the eight-year-old cow, Strathisla Ellen paraded with her bull calf, Strathisla Nevis, at foot. She is by the French sire, Super and out of Strathisla April. A regular winner in 2015, she was champion at Banchory last year. All classes – A Watt.

British Blue (Judge: A Gammie, Drumforber, Laurencekirk). Champion and reserve – J Youngson, Westerton, Echt. Supreme was the 11-year-old cow Gregmaur Brandy, by Gib Ven Het Neganbond and out of Gregmaur Petra. She has been show successfully and has produced progeny up to 14,000gns.

Reserve was the home-bred February-2015 born stock bull Westerton Kenmay. He is by Tamhorn Sumo and out of Drumlove Fancypants. All classes – JS Youngson.

Charolais (Judge: R Livesey, Firth Farm, Lilliesleaf, Melrose). Champion – M Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with the previously unshown 13-month-old bull, Tonley Marinho. This ET calf is bred from Blelack Glamourpuss and sired by Blelack Forbes. Reserve – Wendy Kingaby, Mains of Auchmedden, Pennan, near Fraserburgh, with the home-bred two-year-old bull, Utopia Lotus. He was on his first outing and is by Newroddige Hercules and out of Utopia Goddess. Senior bull – W Kingaby. Junior bull – M Tonley.

Highland (Judge: J McMillan, Craigmore, Farnell, Brechin). Champion – S and Amy Reid, Forest Park, Stonehaven, with the three-year-old heifer Sorcha Dubh 2 of Cladich, which was bought at Oban as a yearling. She is by Seonaidh Mor of Ardura, out of Sorcha Dubh of Cladich and was reserve at Fettercairn and Angus last year and placed at Fettercairn, and the North and East Club shows. Reserve – I Adams, Beech Tree Road, Banchory, with four-year-old cow Frangag Dubh of Cladich, by Seonaidh Mor of Ardura and out of Frangag Donn 10 of Torloisk. She has secured the breed honours here for the past three years in succession and also stood champion at New Deer, Banchory and Dalmally, last year. Senior bull, junior bull – M Middleton, Mid Mains of Balfour, Fettercairn. Cow – IW Adams. Three-year-old heifer – Mr and Mrs Reid. Two-year-old heifer – Mr and Mrs Greaves, Hill of Ardiffery Bungalow, Hatton, Peterhead. Yearling heifer – J and J Singer. Calf – G Noble, Lochton of Leys Farmhouse, Lochton, Banchory.

Limousin (Judge: A Gammie, Drumforber, Laurencekirk). Champion, supreme beef and overall champion of champions – G Patterson, Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith, with the 18-month-old heifer Foxhillfarm Miss Money Penny, a previously unshown heifer owned in partnership with Graham Morrison, of Inchbruich, Cornhill, Banff. She was bought for 10,000gns at Carlisle, in May and is an ET daughter of the 38,000gns Foxhillfarm Irish Lad out of the 125,000gns Glenrock Illusion. Reserve – C and J Hendry, Heads of Auchinderran, Keith, with the two-year-old heifer Powerful Kango, by Haltcliffe Dancer and out of Liscairn Fantastic. She was bought as a six-month-old in Ireland for £3300 and stood reserve at Nairn and New Deer last year. Bull – M Robertson, Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch. Cow and inter-breed cow with calf and calf – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Burnside, Whitecairns, with Fodderletter Honeysuckle, bought privately in January 2016 and sired by Cawfields Dylan. Senior heifer – C and J Hendry. Junior heifer – G Patterson.

Salers (Judge: R Livesey, Firth Farm). Champion and reserve – A Mackenzie, Whitebog Farm, Fortrose, Ross-shire. Supreme was the two-year-old in-calf heifer Whitebog Kim, by the French sire, Gentleman and out of Whitebog Hayley. She stood champion at Echt last year and junior female champion at the Highland. This year, she was first the Highland and reserve junior. Reserve was the reserve winner from the Highland, Whitebog Karbolic, by Whitebog Sandy – a bull that bred the 10,000gns Whitebog bull at Stirling – out of Whitebog Gwen. Bull, senior heifer, junior heifer – A Mackenzie. Cow – J McIntyre, Milton of Cullerlie, Echt. Calf – Erin Murphy, Craigiedaff, Durris, Banchory.

Simmental (Judge: R Livesey). Champion and reserve – S and Kerry Smith, Bankhead, Portlethen, Aberdeen. Supreme was the home-bred two-year-old heifer Forgeron Cornflower, by Forgeron Dexter and out of Lopemed Cornflower. She was any other breed champion at Tarland last year. Reserve was the yearling heifer Forgeron Helen, by Ranfurly Empire on her first outing. Only two classes.

Any other breed (Judge: D Laird, Lochhead, East Wemyss). Champion – Fiona Wilson, Kirkton, Mintlaw, Peterhead, with two-year-old Beef Shorthorn heifer, Stonehills Fairy Clipper 7, bought in Carlisle in May for 2600gns. She is by Uppermill Jefferson and forms part of Ms Wilson’s 11-cow Fordie herd. Reserve – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with the four-month-old Shorthorn bull calf, Strathisla Lincoln, by Declan of Craigiebank and out of successful show cow Grandtullybrae Yantara Trixy 4 which was purchased as a maiden heifer. Bull – Rattray Estate, Rattray, Peterhead. Cow – J and Susan Ravenshear, Heatheryfield, Cairnie, Huntly. Heifer – F Wilson. Calf – A Watt.

Cross cattle unhaltered (Judge: J Gammie, Drumforber, Laurencekirk). Champion – Miller Farms, North Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie, with a British Blue cross cow with Limousin cross bull calf at foot. Reserve – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart of Huntly and Insch, with a pair of Limousin cross heifers – One bred on Orkney and the other bred at Newtack, Grange, Keith.

Cross cattle haltered (Judge: J Gammie). Champion and reserve overall beef champion and inter-breed beef group of three – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart, Huntly and Insch, respectively. Supreme was the 14-month-old Charolais cross heifer Gold Rush, that was bought in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, for £3200 from Alan Veitch, after Blair placed her overall champion. She was champion of champions at Fettercairn and fourth at the Highland. Three British Blue and Limousin cross calves picked up the inter-breed beef group of three for Blair and Rebecca. Reserve and reserve beef groups – M Robertson, Easter Fodderletter Farm, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch. His reserve winner was the YFC champion, a black yearling heifer bought privately from Alistair Robson, Old Manse, Glass, Huntly, in October. This British Blue cross is by Stock Merle Hugo, out of a Limousin cross British Blue dam. She was Rising Stars champion at the Christmas Classic, reserve at the Spring Show and stood third in her class at the Highland. Cow, 2017 bullock calf – B Patterson, Cairndaie Croft, Sauchen. YFC bullock, heifer one to two years, heifer under a year old, bullock one to two years – B Duffton and R Stuart. YFC heifer – M Robertson. 2017 heifer calf – JS Youngson, Westerton, Echt. Bullock under a year old and inter-breed calf champion, bred pair – WD Moir, Cairness Home Farm, Fraserburgh.

Carcase cattle (Judge: Scotbeef, Bridge of Allan). Champion live – A Sharp and Sons, Farmton, Alford, with a Limousin heifer. Reserve – B Cameron, Burnside of Edingight, Grange, Huntly, with a Limousin cross bullock.

Young handlers – Junior – 1, Emma Smith; 2, Lewis Singer; 3, Ewan Singer. Intermediate – 1, Craig Coutts; 2, Nicola May Howie; 3, Beth Noble. Senior, 1, Mark Wattie; 2, Aileen Ritchie; 3, Mark Robertson.

Clydesdale (Judge: C Mackay, Bellfield Park, Inverness) Champion and native champion – S Campbell and A Merchant, with the three-year-old mare, Rolling Thunder Maggie May, a home-bred daughter of Singlie Storm, out of Heatherwick Lucinda. She is a former class winner at the Winter Fair and the Spring Show. Reserve - J Gibb, Clola, Mintlaw, with the gelding Collessie Full Monty, by Collessie Stepping Stone and out of Sandhill Ellie May. He was bred by Ronnie Black. Mare with foal – V and P Peterkin, Mergie House, Rickarton, Stonehaven. Foal, young handlers – G Skinner, Strathorn, Pitcaple, Inverurie. Yearling filly – Lynne McDonald, Mains of Coynach, Tarland, Aboyne. Yearling colt or gelding, harness – WG Robertson, High Street, Cuminestown, Turriff. Two-year-old filly – A and J Greenhill, Upper Tulloes, Forfar. Two-year-old colt or gelding – Mr and Mrs Mackie, East Cairnbeg, Farm Cottages, Laurencekirk. Senior gelding – J Gibb. Yeld mare – S Campbell and A Merchant.

Highland (Judge: Mrs P Watson, Deveron Street, Huntly). Champion – G and A Towns, Easdale, Markethill, Turriff, with the home-bred two-year-old filly, Yvette May of Forglen, by Marnonwells Glean Aegas and out of Pamela May of Forglen. She stood junior champion here last year and second at Brodie, this year. Reserve – Lynne McDonald, Mains of Coynach, Tarland, Aboyne, with the 11-year-old home-bred mare Morven of Coynach, by Edindurno Glen Clova and out of April Mist of Tifty. She is a former champion at New Deer, Turriff and Banchory. Stallion – Shona Halford, Muirside Steading, Brodie, Forres. Senior gelding – Fiona Menzies, Myreton, Insch. Senior mare, mare with foal, foal – L McDonald. Two-year-old – G and A Towns. Ridden – Mrs Jackie Corsie, Millview, Milton of Potterton.

Shetland (Judge: D Macarthur, Moray Park Avenue, Culloden). Champion and reserve native – Ann Irvine, Kininvie, Blackford, Rothienorman, with the home-bred seven-year-old miniature stallion, Rocky of Haybrake, by Hazelhead Dynamite and out of Erica of Haybrake. A big winner in previous years he also a former heavy horse champion at Banchory. Reserve – N Macdonald-Lewis, Hillhead Croft, Methlick, Ellon, with the standard stallion, Wells Legand, bred by Harry Sleigh. Standard senior mare or gelding – Sarah Finnie, Newseat, Balthangie, Cuminestown. Standard mare with foal, standard foal – Christina Forbes, Dullanbank, Dufftown, Keith. Standard male – N MacDonald-Lewis. Standard ridden by rider eight years and under – Kathryn Carr, Broadmuir, Clochforbie, Turriff. Standard ridden by rider 16 years and under – Irene Spence, Sluie Vale, Middle Steading Baldyvin, Alford. Miniature mare or gelding, miniature two or three-year-old, miniature stallion – Ann Irvine. Miniature mare with foal – Margaret Greaves. Miniature foal – N and S Smith. Miniature yearling – Margaret Smith, Ramana Earthol Hill, Barthol Chapel.

Beltex (Judge: G Burke, Cairndrum Farm Cottage, Brechin, Angus). Champion, reserve inter-breed and inter-breed group of four – S Wood, Woolhillock, Skene, with a gimmer by Todhall Sumo, a tup bought in partnership with Kingledores at Lanark, out of Woodies Wag which goes back to Woodies Ray of Hope. She was second at the Highland on her sole previous outing. Reserve – G Morrison, Bush Farm, Keith with a previously unshown ewe lamb by Padkin Sugar Daddy out of Beechcross Wisteria, purchased in 2015. Aged ram, shearling ram, ewe, gimmer, tup lamb – S Wood. Ewe lamb – G Morrison.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: J MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth). Champion and reserve – CR and ES Millican, Newton of Hassiewells, Rothienorman. Champion was a gimmer bought at Carlisle in January from WH and DA Gass, Nunsleugh. She is by an E1 Hewgill and was on her first outing since. Reserve for the 20-ewe Hassiewells flock was a Riddings-bred shearling ram bought last year at Carlisle for 4000gns. He was also on his first outing since and is by an H1 Marriforth sire. Tup, gimmer, tup lamb – CR and ES Millican. Ewe, ewe lamb – A Jolly, Clyne, Straloch, Newmachar.

Charollais (Judge: G Ingram, Logie Durno, Pitcaple). Champion and reserve and supreme sheep and reserve inter-breed sheep – Misses Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, Peterhead. Supreme was Braemuir Pandora, a December 2015-born ewe that made up the inter-breed group of three at Keith and was reserve individual inter-breed at New Deer. She is by Riverdale Noble and out of a Cannahars-bred ewe. Reserve from the 22-ewe Braemuir flock, was a December-born tup lamb by Arbryn Rhodri, out of a home-bred ewe by Cannahars Murray Mint. All classes – E and E Duncan.

Suffolk (S Norrie, Wrae View, Turriff). Champion – G Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie, with the breed leader from Angus, a gimmer by Deveronside Doodlebug that also scooped the reserve inter-breed sheep at Angus. She is out of a home-bred ewe by Strathisla Stiffler. Reserve – C and M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udy, Ellon, with a home-bred shearling ram by Davishill Alfie, a ram bought at Stirling for 1800gns in 2015, out of a home-bred ewe. He was on his first outing and is bound for the breed sale at Thainstone, in September. Aged ram, confined lamb pair – JA Lorimer, Cadgerford, Kingswells, Aberdeen. Shearling ram – C and M Bruce. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – G Christie. Tup lamb – C Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder.

Texel (Judge: G Buchan, Wyreena, New Aberdour). Champion – R Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff, with a home-bred gimmer by Glenside Wild Boy out of a ewe by Teiglum Tornado which is a full sister to Milnbank Vantastic. She was sixth at the Highland. Reserve – G Morrison, Inchbruich, Cornhill, Banff, with a home-bred two-crop ewe by Strathbogie Terminator, out of a ewe by Glenside Razzle Dazzle, on her first outing. Aged ram – W and C Cruden, Upper Kirkton, Dyce. Shearling ram – Jemma Green, Corskie, Fochabers. Ewe, tup lamb – G Morrison. Gimmer, ewe lamb – R Wilson.

Zwartbles (Judge: Ms N Henderson, Whitehouse Farm Cottage, Touch, Stirling). Champion and reserve – Faye Wilkie (13), Whitestone, Skene. Supreme was Whitestone Emerald, a mid January-born ewe lamb by Speyside Buzz, a ram bought privately from Brenda Scott, out of a Chapelpark Briony. She was fifth at the Highland for the 13-ewe flock. Reserve was Whitestone Drambuie, a shearling ram by Speyside Buzz, out of Broomfield Beyonce which was bought at Carlisle in 2015 where she stood pre-sale champion. All classes – F Wilkie.

Any other breed of sheep native (Judge: N McGowan, Shealwalls, Alyth). Champion – A and B Henderson, Nether Toucks, Dunnottar, Stonehaven, with a home-bred Lleyn ewe that was champion at Fettercairn this year and native champion here last year. She is by a Johnston tup bought at Carlisle and out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – K Milne, Bennachie Gardens, Sauchen, Inverurie, with an end of February-born Oxford Down tup lamb by a Culsh sire and out of a home-bred ewe, one of 20 ewes in the Bennachie flock. Aged ram – A Milne, Woodside Road, Banchory. Ewe, ewe lamb – D and B Henderson. Gimmer – Carmont Valley Livestock, East Carmont, Stonehaven. Tup lamb – K Milne.

Any other continental (Judge: G Ingram, Logie Durno). Champion and reserve – S Moyse, Woolhillock, Skene, with Blue Texels. Supreme was last year’s winner, Saltire A beauty, a daughter of Hackney XFactor out of a Belgian ewe bought at the Sapphire sale carrying Abeauty. She was champion at Turriff last year and stood fourth at the Highland, last month. Reserve was a tup lamb by the 3300gns Hackney You Are Jocking, out of the same ewe that bred the champion. Tup, gimmer, ewe lamb, tup lamb – S Moyse. Ewe – WJ and M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, Insch.

Cross sheep (Judge: L Smith, Mill of Fowlis, Muir of Fowlis, Alford). Champion – A Miller, The Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie, with a one-crop Texel cross ewe bought privately from Stuart Youngson, Westerton. The dam is a Texel cross Cheviot. Reserve – W and D Moir, Cairness Home Farm, Fraserburgh, with the champion pen of three, a pen of three end of February-born Suffolk cross ewe lambs out of home-bred Texel cross ewes. They were champion at Angus and first at the Highland. Reserve single – A Millar, The Lurg, Midmar, with a Suffolk cross Half-bred gimmer that stood second at the Highland. She is by a Birness sire and out of an Aimster-bred Halfbred. Reserve pen of three – Nicola Dow, The Linton, Sauchen, Inverurie, with a pen of three Texel cross gimmers that were bought as ewe lambs. Native bred pen of three gimmers, pen of three continental ewe lambs – R Wilkie, Tillyboy, Echt. Continental pen of three gimmers, single lamb – N Dow. Pen of three cross ewes, cross ewe, native bred pen of three ewe lambs – W and D Moir. Three butchers lambs, single ewe, single gimmer – A Miller.

Hoof and carcase – Hoof – Champion – S Miller, The Lurg, Midmar, with a pen of two Beltex cross lambs. Reserve – R Wilkie, Tillyboy, Echt, with a pair of March-born Texel cross lambs.

Young handlers (Judge: G Burke, Cairndrum Farm Cottage). Junior aged seven years and under – 1, Samuel Miskelly; 2, Will Henderson; 3, Isaac Miskelly. Intermediate (8-11years) – 1, Faith Miskelly; 2, Charlie Thomas; 3, Jack Millican. Senior – 1, Finn Christie; 2, Faye Wilkie; 3, Hannah Lorimer.

Pet lambs – 1, Lauren Milne; 2 and 3, D and B Henderson.

Goats (Judge: Mrs M Downie, The Steadings, West Mains of Ethie, Inverkeilor, Arbroath).

Champion – Mrs F Smith, Broomhill, Dunecht, Westhill, with Willowriver Schwartz, a three-year-old Toggenburg billy and breed champion. Bred by Rachael Norman and bought as a kid, he is by Linray Angus and out of Jobre Candice. Reserve - Backhill Pygmy Goats, Backhill of Camaloun, Auchterless, with Elvis, an 18-month-old male pygmy by Marshview Edwin, out of Moorview Nerine. He was bred by Moorview Pygmy Goats, bought at a month old and stood first here last year. Milker, goatling, adult male, male kid – F Smith. Female kid - Brenda Scott, Burnside, Marykirk, Ballindalloch. Pygmy adult female (over two years) – M and M Ross, Balmedie, Belhelvie. Pygmy goatling, pygmy kid – Backhill Pygmy Goats. Young handlers – 1, Kerry Smith; 2, Jasmin Strachan.