Thomson triumph in busy sheep lines

Notably, the top two winners, from William Thomson and his father, Jimmy, Hownam Grange, Kelso, also came from the two strongest sections – the North Country Cheviot Lairg and hill-type sections which between them saw in excess of 250 head forward for the breed's National Show.

Supreme sheep was the Lairg-type winner shown by William, who is also breed chairman of the North Country Cheviots. This was the two-shear ram, Newbank Spitfire that was bought last year at Lockerbie, from Hugh and Sandy Wilson, for £8000. He is by a Keppoch sire and was on his first outing since.

Inter-breed sheep judge, Rory Telford, Branton East Side, who was most impressed by line-up of 18 champion sheep winners, found his reserve overall in the Thomson's park-type Northie, a home-bred gimmer by Wandylaw Scrumpy Jack, that had been placed at the Highland.

While Hownam Grange undoubtedly led the way in the sheep, their inter-breed winner came second reserve for the the overall champion of champions, judged by Ronnie Black, Newton of Collessie, Fife, who was particularly taken by the Hunter champion.

Taking the red, blue and white sash was Andrew and Gillian McGowan's ridden lightweight hunter, Tredragon, a 10-year-old bay gelding from Horncliffe Mains, Berwick-upon-Tweed. He is by Tower of Magic, out of The Cavalier's Lady and boasts several top wins to include champion at Northumberland, champion ridden at the Highland and supreme at St Boswells, last year.

Mr Black presented the reserve overall to the inter-breed beef champion, a three-year-old Limousin bull from Keith Redpath, Redpaths Farms, Kelso. His show stopper, Dinmore Jollygood, bred by Paul Dawes, was bought at Carlisle, and last year stood first in his class at the 2016 Highland and continental champion here.

David Benson might be a Charolais man, having been chief executive of the breed for many years, however as inter-breed beef judge, he selected the lead Aberdeen-Angus as his choice of runner up. This was Linton Gilbertines President, a March 2016-born bull that was male champion at the Great Yorkshire and native beef breeder champion at the Highland.

Limousin females brought out by Anthony Renton of Renton and Redden Partners, Allanton, Chirnside, picked up the inter-breed pairs, with Salers from Roy and Adam Crocket, Deanfoot, Denholm, lifting the reserve.

LEADINGawards

Clydesdale (Judge: Mrs P Pinkney, High Grange Farm, Hett Village, Co Durham). Champion – J Tennant, Middle Oak, Braehead, Lanark, with Solo, a four-year-old gelding and former champion winner here by Muirton Sabre and out of Muirton Myrea. Bred by Thomas Clark and bought as a yearling, he was reserve gelding at the Highland. Reserve – T Tennant, Gilmanscleugh, Ettrick, Selkirk, with Mollinhillhead Lady Claire, a two-year-old bay filly that stood second at the Highland and reserve in the 2016 Cawdor Cup. She is by Bratlach Ballintoy and out of Mollinhillhead Lady Marion. Senior gelding – J Tennant. Yeld mare, young handlers – A Young, Tollhouse, Cleish. Two-year-old filly – T Tennant. Yearling filly – A and M Bell, Auld Graitney, Gretna. Ridden – R Doughty, Meikle Grove, East Linton.

Shire horses (Judge: Mrs S Pinkney). Champion – J Fairburn, Marshall Meadows Farm Cottage, Berwick Upon Tweed, with the black filly, Marshall Meadows Spotlight, by Marshall Meadows Mascot, out of Cumeragh House Teasel. Reserve – GI Holmes, Park Nook, Beamish, Stanley, Co Durham, with the 10-year-old bay gelding, John B. Senior gelding – GI Holmes. Mare – J Fairburn.

Heavy horse turnouts – Champion – GI Holmes, with Jake, Sorbie and John B. Reserve – J Fairburn with the single horse turnout, Vince.

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: D Evans, Tree Bridge Farm, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef – Gordon Brooke Estate, Upper Huntlywood, Earlston, with Linton Gilbertines President, a March 2016-born bull by Netherallan Peter Pershore, out of Belhaven Pole Star. Male champion at the Great Yorkshire and M and S Beefbreeder native champion at the Highland, he is destined for the breed sale at Stirling in October. Reserve – WD Allen, Stouphill, Alnwick, with Souphill Patsy, a similarly aged heifer by the 7000gns stockbull, Duncanziemere Jigsaw, out of a previous Stouphill Patsy that has bred sons to 8000gns. She was placed at the Highland. Senior bull – Kersquarter Aberdeen-Angus, C/o Ian Watson, Abbey View, Kelso. Junior bull – Gordon Brooke Estate. Cow, senior heifer – Firm of T Hodge, Rulesmains, Duns. Junior heifer – WD Allen.

Hereford (Judge: Mrs P Evans). Champion – H Elliot, Low Cornriggs, Cowshill, Weardale, with Cornriggs 1 Julia 4, an April 2016-born heifer by Cornriggs 1 Super Guy, out of Romany 1 Julia. She was first at the Great Yorkshire. Reserve – BG Hutchinson, Field House Farm, Greetham, Billingham, with Romany Lucy, a two-year-old heifer bought from the Wilson family as an eight-month-old calf. She is by Spurstow 1 Star Bright Future, out of Romany 1 Lucy and stood first at the Borderway Expo at Carlisle, last year. Cow, senior heifer, group of three – BG Hutchinson. Junior heifer – H Elliot.

Native beef breeds (Judge: Mrs P Evans). Champion – Gordon Brooke Estate, Upper Huntlywood, Earlston, with the sole entry, Balgay Jerusalem Song, a May 2016-born Beef Shorthorn bull by Glenisla Zetor out of Balygay Rosewood Romy. He was bought privately in February from Balgay and was any other breed champion at Northumberland.

Limousin (Judge: Mrs H McNee, Over Finlarg, Tealing, Dundee). Champion, inter-breed beef champion and reserve overall champion of champions – K Redpath, Redpath Farms, Heiton, Kelso, with Dinmore Jollygood, a three-year-old bull bought at Carlisle, from Paul Dawes. He is by Wilodge Tonka, out of Dinmore Gaiety and stood first in his class here last year. Reserve – Renton and Redden Partners, C/o Stuartslaw, No 1 Cottage, Allanton, Chirnside, with Meadowrig Maeva, an AI daughter of Fairywater Haig out of Meadowrig Eva that was second at the Highland, first at Northumberland and pedigree champion at Haddington. Senior bull, senior heifer – Redpath Farms. Junior bull – J Logan, Humebyres, Kelso. Cow, junior heifer – Renton and Redden Partners.

Continental beef breeds (Judge: Mrs H McNee). Champion – Renton and Redden Partners, with Meadowrig Ladana, a previously unshown 18-month-old black British Blue heifer by Tweeddale Hebony. Her dam is the privately purchased Woodview Candy whose first son made 6500gns. Reserve – Miss G McCornick, Boreland, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart, with Ballathie Ladybird, a January 2015-born heifer by Balthayock Darcy bred from the Penfold Seaanchor daughter, Balthayock Amy. She was purchased as a calf at the Ballathie dispersal for 2200gns. Cow – R and A Crockett, Conker Cottage, Deanfoot, Denholm. Senior heifer – Miss G McCornick. Junior heifer – Renton and Redden Partners.

Border Leicester (Judge: R Weir, Dressertland, Closeburn, Thornhill). Champion – Mr and Mrs K Irving, Kingfisher Farm, Rigg, Gretna, with a three-shear Eildon-bred ram by Eildon Majestic. He was on his first outing and also bred the first prize gimmer for the 11-ewe flock. Reserve – J Harrison, Brunt Court, Dunbar, with a previously unshown ewe lamb by Knockglass Sunrise, a ram bought at Lanark in 2015, out of a ewe by Alticane Arkle. Aged ram, ewe, gimmer, pair – Mr and Mrs K Irving. Shearling ram, ram lamb, group – RN Howie, North Lyham, Chatton, Alnwick. Ewe lamb – J Harrison.

Lleyn (Judge: H Nelles, Thistleyhaugh, Longhorsley, Morpeth). Champion – J Kingan, Laneside, Dumfries, with Borrins Elite, a two-shear ram bought at Carlisle, for 1600gns last year. He stood second to the reserve champion at the Highland. Reserve – T and I Walling, Over Whitlaw, Selkirk, with Whitelaw Firefox, a previously unshown home-bred shearling ram that is destined for the breed sale at Carlisle, next month. He is by a John Blakey tup bought at Carlisle for 1200gns. Aged ram, ram lamb, gimmer, ewe lamb, group of three – J Kingan. Shearling ram, ewe, ewe lamb – T and I Walling.

Suffolk (Judge: S Buckley, Sittinglow, Doves Holes, Buxton). Champion – Mr and Mrs B Nicolson, The Knock, Duns, with a previously unshown home-bred gimmer by the 25,000gns Rhaeadr Rolex, bred from the 7500gns Lakeview gimmer purchased at Carlisle. Reserve – Roseden and Lilburn flock, Lilburn Farming Partnership, North Middleton, Wooler, with a three-crop ewe by Cladagh Special Blend, out of a home-bred ewe. She was champion at the Great Yorkshire as a ewe lamb.

Texel (Judge: G Jones, Foxhall, Henllan, Denbigh). Champion – Mr and Mrs B Nicolson, The Knock, with a ewe lamb by the 42,000gns Strathbogie Your Tupped, bred from a ewe by a home-bred tup that is a full brother to Castlecairn Keltic Star. She was on her first outing and was shown by Bruce Renwick. Reserve – I Murray, East Horton, Woolder, with the second prize recorded tup lamb from the Highland, a son of Garngour Yeltsin, out of a home-bred ewe by Brackenridge Underdog. He is destined for the breed sale at Lanark. Aged ram – RH Bell and Co, Roxburgh Mill, Kelso. Shearling ram – Messrs Green, The Craggs, Lilliesleaf, Melrose. Ram lamb – I Murray. Ewe, gimmer – G Gray, Sunnycroft, Lindean, Selkirk. Ewe lamb – Mr and Mrs B Nicolson.

Zwartbles (Judge: Miss CA Anderson, Castle Street, Forfar). Champion – C Rae, Wallacetown, Brownrigg Loaning, Dumfries, with Pen Y Ghent Belle, a two-crop ewe bred by Tracey Sutcliffe and bought privately as a lamb. She is by Wallacetown Tristan, out of Pen Y Ghent Wilona and was champion at Northumberland and Ayr. Reserve – Caroline Anderson, Wallridge Cottages, Ingoe, Northumberland, with the two-shear Wallridge Moor Cyrus, a home-bred ram by Wallridge Moor Ajax – a tup sold at Carlisle, for 3000gns – out of Wallridge Moor Aviadney. He was first at Skelton. Ram – Caroline Anderson. Ram lamb – S Craig, Eildon Mains, Melrose. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, group of three – C Rae.

Any other MV breed (Judge: B Cockburn, Stirkfield, Broughton, Biggar). Champion – R Rennie, Sydenham, Kelso, with a pure-bred Texel shearling ram on his first outing. He is sired by Teiglum Stiffler, out of a College-bred ewe and is destined for next month's Kelso Ram Sales. Reserve – J Guiry, Town Farm, Glanton, Alnwick, with a home-bred two-crop Beltex ewe by a home-bred sire that goes back to Ballydown Magnus. She was third at the National Progeny Show at Penrith. Ram, ram lamb, gimmer – R Rennie. Ewe, ewe lamb – J Guiry.

Prime lambs MV (Judge: B Cockburn). champion – Messrs Green, The Craggs, Lilliesleaf, with the sole entry, a pen of heavyweight Texel lambs.

Blackface (Judge: R McTaggart, Glen, Gatehouse, Kirkcudbrightshire). Champion – S McClymont, Tinnis, Yarrow, with the reserve champion from Dalkeith, a gimmer by a £5000 Kirkland bought at Stirling, out of a ewe by a £16,000 Mitchellhill. Reserve – Tollishill Farming, C/o Alan Rogerson, Tollishill, Oxton, with a previously unshown tup lamb by a £25,000 Elmscleugh, bred from a ewe by a £5500 Blackhouse. Aged ram, shearling ram – D and A Redpath, The Yett, Hownam, Kelso. Ram lamb – Tollishill Farming. Ewe, ewe lamb – Burncastle Estate, C/o Alan Rogerson, Lauder. Gimmer – S McClymont.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: S Mackay, Dudlees, Otterburn). Champion – S McClymont, Tinnis, Yarrow, with a home-bred gimmer by a Midlock sire bought at Castle Douglas as a lamb in 2015. She is out of a home-bred ewe by a Tanhouse ram and stood reserve here last year and fifth at the Highland, in June. Reserve – A Ainslie, Linkshead, Cockburnspath, with the first prize ram lamb from Haddington, a son a J20 Kirkby Redgate tup bought at Carlisle last year as a lamb for 2000gns, out of a Drimsynie ewe by an E4 Hewgill that was purchased at Carlisle in 2015. Shearling ram, ewe, gimmer – S McClymont. Ram lamb – A Ainslie. Ewe lamb – B Hedley, Corsbie, Earlston.

Cheviot (Judge: A Reid, Glendearg, Langholm). Champion and reserve – CM Ker, Chatto, Hownam, Kelso. Supreme shown by James Scott and Helen Brown was a home-bred shearling nram by an £800 Stirkfield bought at Lockerbie, out of a home-bred ewe. He is to be sold at Lockerbie, as a two-shear, next year. Reserve for the 600 ewe flock was a gimmer by the same sire on her first outing. Aged ram – WN Douglas, Catslackburn, Yarrow. Aged ram, ewe, gimmer – CM Ker. Ram lamb – WJ Douglas and Son, Upper Hindhope, Jedburgh. Ewe lamb – WJC and SJ Weir, Mainside, Kelso.

National Hebridean Show (Judge: Mrs K Heeley, Brinsop Hall, Greenlaw). Champion – N and A Fecitt, Dovecote Ghyll, Dowbiggin, Sedburgh, with a Sparran Wood Domila, a home-bred gimmer by a home-bred sire and out of a bought-in ewe. She was on her first outing. Reserve – J Mosley, Kirkdean, Blyth Bridge, West Linton, with Ronasvoe MacKnock, a two-shear ram bred by Cathy Cassie and bought at the Rare Breeds sale at Lanark, last year. He is by Lings Harry Potter and stood first at the Highland. Aged ram, ewe, veteran ewe, group – J Mosley. Shearling ram, ram lamb, ewe lamb, diversity group – J and M Cuthbert, Ardoch House, Claysyke, Fossoway, Kinross. Gimmer – N and A Fecitt. Ewe with lamb(s) – Mrs J Wilson, Gibshiel, Tarset, Hexham.

National Jacob Show (Judge: R Locker, Greenlaw Mill, Greenlaw). Champion and male champion – G Connor and S Dalrymple, Dun-Mor, Bridgend, Linlithgow, with Edingale Hickory, a gimmer which was bought last year at St Boswells, that was first at the Highland. Reserve – Mr and Mrs B Stanley, Park Farm, Melbourne, Derbyshire, with a home-bred two-crop ewe by a home-bred sire and out of a home-bred ewe. Unbeaten in her class, she was reserve at Stafford and champion at Rutland and Derbyshire County Show. Ram, gimmer, ewe lamb, pair – G Connor and S Dalrymple. Ram lamb – Mr and Mrs W Crowe, Heughhead, Friockheim, Arbroath. Ewe – Mr and Mrs B Stanley.

Kerry Hill (Judge: Mrs L Dixon, Mowhaugh, Yetholm, Kelso). Champion and reserve – Jack Graham (13) Birsca, Lockerbie. Supreme was a home-bred gimmer that was part of last year's show team. She is by a Fronarth tup used on loan and out of a bought in ewe – one of only four ewes in the flock. Young Mr Graham picked up the reserve with a two-crop ewe purchased last year from the Thornship flock. She was first at Westmorland Show. Ram – R Innes, Newbigging Bush, Jedburgh. Ram lamb, ewe lamb – Katherine and S McIntosh, Outer Huntly, Ashkirk, Selkirk. Ewe, gimmer, group – J Graham.

National Lairg-type Cheviot Show (Judge: F Irving, Teviotrig, Whitchesters, Hawick). Champion, inter-breed sheep and second reserve champion of champions – W and J Thomson, Hownam Grange, Kelso, with the £8000 Newbank Spitfire, a two-shear ram bought last year at Lockerbie. Previously unshown, he is by a Keppoch sire and out of a Newbank-bred ewe. Reserve – J Thomson, Kelsocleugh Farming, Yetholm, Kelso, with the reserve female from the Highland, a gimmer by a Priestland sire that bred the first prize ewe lamb and a £2800 two-shear ram at Lockerbie. Always placed as a lamb, she is out of a home-bred ewe. Aged ram – W and J Thomson. Two-shear – WN Douglas, Catslackburn, Yarrow. Shearling ram, ewe – JM Elliot and Partners, Woodside, Yetholm. Ram lamb – Philiphaugh Estate, C/o Alan Cowens, Philiphaugh, Selkirk. Gimmer, ewe lamb – Kelsocleugh Farming.

National North Country Cheviot Show (Judge: H Sleigh, St Johns Wells, Fyvie). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – W and J Thomson, Hownam Grange, Kelso, with a gimmer by Wandylaw Scrumpy Jack – a tup that was bought at Lockerbie for £600 in 2015, and stood champion at the Great Yorkshire last year. She is out of a home-bred ewe by Durran Peebles, and was placed at the Highland in June. Reserve – G Cormack and Sons, Wester Dunnet, Thurso, with a ewe lamb by Oldfield Viceroy, which was bought out of Caithness last year for £800 as a lamb. Placed at Sutherland Show, she is out of a home-bred ewe. Aged ram, ram lamb, ewe – J Runciman and Sons, Allanshaws, Galashiels. Two-shear ram, gimmer – W and J Thomson. Shearling ram and male champion – G Milne, Kinaldy, St Andrews.

Scotch Half-bred (Judge: R Weir, Dressertland). Champion – GD Pate and Sons, Stobshiels Mains, Humbie, with a ewe lamb that was champion at Haddington and is destined for the St Boswells sale. She is by an Alticane sire that was bought at Kelso last year after standing reserve breed champion. The dam is home-bred. Reserve – H Anderson, Headshaw, Oxton, with a ewe. Ewe – H Anderson. Gimmer – W Pate and Partners, Marvingston, Gifford. Ewe lamb, pen of three ewe lambs – GD Pate and Sons.

Shetland (Judge: N Spenceley, Prospect Fields, Hawsker, Whitby). Champion – Mr and Mrs A Bain, Bloggs Holdings, Pencaitland, Tranent, with Greenacre Merlin, a white shearling ram by the home-bred sire, Greenacre Cracker out of St Baldreds Jill. He was champion at Haddington. Reserve – Mrs S Tyson and Mrs R Willan, Cherry Bank, Unders Kiddaw, Keswick, with D'Artagnon of Derwent, a home-bred two-shear coloured ram that was second at the Great Yorkshire. He is by Brae Faroe and out of Egglemachen ewe bought at Carlisle. He was first at West Morland and second at Skelton, last year. Coloured aged ram, white aged ram – Mrs S Tyson and Mrs R Willan. Coloured shearling ram and reserve coloured, coloured ewe, colured ewe lamb – PML Playfair, Stitchill Eastfield, Kelso. White shearling ram – Mr and Mrs A Bain. Coloured ram lamb – H and A Greenfield, Broadwath Holdings, Headsnook, Brampton. White ram lamb, white ewe and reserve white, white ewe lamb – B and J Watson, Field Croft, Carleton, Holmcrook. Coloured gimmer, white gimmer – J Brunton, Fieldview, Letham Mains Holdings, Haddington.

Unregistered Suffolks (Judge: C Bradbury, Satchells, Lilliesleaf, Melrose). Champion – N and G Sandilands, Ruecastle Cottage, Jedburgh, with a previously unshown shearling ram by a Sitlow sire bought at Kelso, out of a home-bred ewe by a Glenhead ram. He is bound for the Kelso Ram Sales. Reserve – S Shaw, 5 Smailholm Mains, Kelso, with the reserve champion from Duns Show last year, a home-bred one-crop ewe on her first outing of the season. Aged ram – AW and BT Taylor, Belmont Farm, Kelso. Shearling ram, gimmer – N and G Sandilands. Ram lamb, ewe lamb – JB Pate and Sons, Toxside, Temple, Gorebridge. Ewe – S Shaw.

Any other breed non-mv (Judge: B Cockburn, Stirkfield). Champion – N and G Sandilands, Ruecastle Cottage, Jedburgh, with a home-bred Beltex shearling by Northcop Wallace, that is to be retained as a stock ram. He was placed here as a lamb. Reserve – A Smith, Crumhaughhill, Hawick, with a Texel ram lamb. Ram – N and G Sandilands. Ram lamb, ewe, ewe lamb – A Smith. Gimmer – J and P Anderson, Headshaw, Oxton.

Prime lambs non mv (Judge: B Cockburn). Champion – A Rennie, Sydenham, Kelso, with a pen of two medium-weight Beltex cross lambs that were born in March. Reserve – A and P Glennie, Threeburnford, Oxton, Lauder, with a light-weight pen of Beltex cross lambs. Light-weight lambs, heavy-weight lambs – A and P Glennie. Medium-weight lambs – A Rennie.

Young handlers (Judge: R Telford, Branton East Side, Powburn, Alnwick). MV – Champion and supreme overall, James Nicholson. Reserve – Hannah Francis. Non-mv – Champion and reserve overall, Angus Weir. Reserve – Adam Anderson.

Goats (Judge: G Smith, Guildy Den, Monikie, Dundee). Champion – Miss RE Campbell, The Byres, Torpichen, Bathgate, with Linnavon Edelweiss, a 21/2-year-old by Guilden Glow out of Linnavon Bromeliad that kidded in April and was champion at Central and West Fife Show. Reserve – R Fleming, Burnside Place, Carron, Falkirk, with Ladeside Ladyrue, a British AOV milker bred by Fiona Fairley. She kidded in February, is by Ivybeck Harlequin, out of Ladeside Ladyrula and was reserve Anglo Nubian at the breed show at Newark, last year. Toggenburg milker – Miss RE Campbell. Anglo Nubian milker, Toggenburg kid – B Fairley, Avonvale Cottage, Avondale. Golden Guernsey milker, Toggenburg goatling, Golden Guernsey goatling, AOV kid – A and C Sieker, Nine Acre Holdings, Melrose. AOV milker – R Fleming. Saanen goatling, Anglo Nubian goatling, AOV goatling, Saanen kid – Mrs V Wood, Loud Farm, Loud Hill, Greencroft, Stanley.