GOING one better than their reserve honours here last year, the Thomson, Roddick and Laurie team scooped the Beef Shorthorn championship with a March-born bull calf on his first outing.

That was Shawhill Leroy from father and son duo, John and Matthew Thomson, of the Thomson, Roddick and Laurie auction company, who were ably helped by stockman John Dick. He is among the first crop by the home-bred Shawhill Henderson, whose grand-sire is K-Kim Freedom, while his dam is Shawhill Dewdrop Jasmine, which traces back to some strong Canadian bloodlines and is one of 40 pure cows at Newlands, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie.

On her first time at the Expo, Mrs Tracy Severn scooped the reserve male title with her Highlee Lenny which then went on to stand reserve supreme. Two months older than Leroy, Lenny is by the privately purchased Poyntington Himself which was used at home before going on to sell for 8000gns as champion at Stirling Bull Sales last February. His dam, Highlee Enya, has bred a number of show champions for the Scammonden Road, Barkisland-based herd.

Heading up the female section was Podehole Irene Lilac from Harry Horrell, of Pode Hole Farm, Thorney, Peterborough, but brought out by parents Sally and Charles. This April-born heifer is among the first crop by the private purchase, Knockenjig Hercules, while the dam, Podehole Irene Bloom, is from a strong female line and was in the tickets at the Highland Show.

Michael and Joanne Souter's similarly aged heifer, Jodame Lulu, landed the reserve female honours for the herd at Bailhill, Marwood, Barnard Castle. Her breeding includes Lowther Factor on to Ashwater Grace.

LEADING awards:

(Judge: Bobby Landers, Cairnsmore herd, Newton Stewart).

Bulls – Bull calf born between October 1 and December 12, 2016 – 1, N and A Hunter’s Derwentwood Kruger; 2, N and A Hunter’s Derwentwood Kinsman; 3, J and J Shorrock’s Dyneley King Kong. Bull calf born between January 1 and February 15, 2017 – 1 and reserve, Mrs T Severn’s Highlee Lenny; 2, C Lowther’s Lowther Larry; 3, S and G Hunt’s Sowerbyparks Leonardo. Bull calf born between February 16 and March 12, 2017 – 1, C Lowther’s Lowther Lenny; 2, C Lowther’s Lowther Lennox; 3, H Horrell’s Podehole Lionheart. Bull calf born between March 13 and 31, 2017 – 1 and champion, Thomson, Roddick and Laurie’s Shawhill Leroy; 2, H Horrell’s Podehole Lincoln; 3, R Leach’s Warmington Locomotive. Bull calf born between April 1 and 15, 2017 – 1, Mrs LJ Townsend’s Coxhill Leon; 2, C Lowther’s Lowther Leroy; 3, H Horrell’s Podehole Rock Legend. Bull calf born between April 16 and May 7, 2017 – 1, H Horrell’s Podehole Landmark; 2, S and G Hunt’s Sowerbyparks Gypsy Leader; 3, M and J Souter’s Jodame Logan.

Heifers – Heifer calf born between November 1, 2016, and January 31, 2017 – 1, Mrs T Severn’s Highlee Lilac Rose; 2, JE Bellas and Son’s Croftends Diana Khloe; 3, S and G Hunt’s Sowerbyparks Ury Maid. Heifer calf born between February 1 and March 10, 2017 – 1, H Horrell’s Podehole Tessa Lara; 2, Mrs T Severn’s Highlee Enya Lovai; 3, H Horrell’s Podehole Tessa Lotus. Heifer calf born between March 11 and April 2, 2017 – 1, H Horrell’s Podehole Gypsy Lulu; 2, Thomson, Roddick and Laurie’s Shawhill Beatrice Lottie; 3, C Lowther’s Lowther Melody. Heifer calf born between April 3 and 9, 2017 – 1, M and J Souter’s Jodame Lulu; 2, R Leach’s Warmington Broadhooks; 3, JE Bellas and Son’s Croftends Lady Clover. Heifer calf born between April 10 and June 2, 2017 – 1, H Horrell’s Podehole Irene Lilac; 2, Mrs LJ Townsend’s Coxhill Lovely; 3, JE Bellas and Son’s Croftends Melody Lou.

Young handlers – 1, John Bellas; 2, J and J Shorrock; 3, Holly Bellas.