IT gave it its best shot, but rain certainly didn’t stop play at Kilbarchan Show, where the weather dried up in time to see the champion from the pedigree beef section tapped out as champion of champions.

The Charolais two-year-old, Barnsford Meadow, from Tom and Sheena Gatherer, of Barnsford, Inchinnan, was continuing her successful summer, having also taken the section championship at Houston recently.

Reserve champion of champions was a winner from the horse section, the pony, Noble Elton, from Madeleine Bower, North Fairhills, Lochwinnoch.

In the sheep lines, Laine Daff’s Bleu du Maine gimmer, Posh Bleu, was continuing her winning ways this summer, taking the overall sheep title.

She was pipping Sandy McIntyre to the post, as his Bluefaced Leicester ewe lamb stood reserve overall sheep champion.

The Holstein winner from David Carruth, High Auchensale, took the overall dairy award. His fifth calver beat his Ayrshire winner into the reserve dairy spot.

LEADING awards

Ayrshire (Judge: J Andrew, Gatehead Bunglalow, Beith). Champion and reserve overall dairy champion – D Carruth, High Auchensale, Kilbarchan, with a second calver, by Nexus Dreamer. She just calved on Thursday. Reserve – A Steele, Kibbleston, with a third calver, Low Semple Sal 58. She calved in December. Quey, cow, milk records, calf, pair – A Steele. Senior cow – D Carruth.

Holstein Friesan (Judge: J Andrew). Champion and overall dairy champion – D Carruth with a fifth calver. She is by Ladson Altiladdie, and gave 9500 litres last year. She was reserve at the same show in 2017. Reserve – R Baxter, Gibblaston, Bridge of Weir, with a third calver by Picston Shottle. Cow in-milk, pair – D Carruth. In-calf cow – R Baxter.

Pedigree beef (Judge: J Andrew). Champion, reserve, overall beef champion and overall champion of champions – T and S Gatherer, Barnsford, Inchinnan. Leading the way was a Charolais, Barnsford Meadow, a two-year-old Goldies Eddy daughter bred from Alwent Broom. She has already won at Houston this summer. Reserve from the same stable was Barnsford Marquise, a yearling heifer by Blelack Blackberet, out of Barnsford Jonquil. She took reserve at Houston as well. All classes – T and S Gatherer.

Cheviot (Judge: D Leslie, 2 Campbeltown Cottage, Hunterston, West Kilbride). Champion – W and J Howie with a ewe lamb. She is by a Murdieston sire and out of a home-bred Murdieston ewe. Reserve – J and I Cowan, Millside, with an old tup. Ewe, hogg, ewe lamb – W and J Howie. Tup – J and I Cowan.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: H Glasgow, 10 Dunsyre Road, Newbigging, Biggar). Champion, reserve and reserve overall sheep champion – S McIntyre, Knowes, Lochwinnoch. Champion and reserve were the first and second placed ewe lambs. The champion was also reserve at Largs. Twin sisters, they are by Red Cottage G1 and out of a Ledburnlea mother. ewe, tup hogg, tup lamb – R Baxter, Gibbleston. Ewe hogg – R Blair, Pennytersal, Kilmacolm. Ewe lamb, tup, group – S McIntyre.

Blackface (Judge: D Leslie). Champion and reserve – A Paterson, Middlepart, Kilmacolm. Champion was a ewe hogg. She is by an Auldhouseburn sire and out of a home-bred mother. Reserve was a Dalchirla-bred two-shear tup on his first show outing. All classes – A Paterson.

Suffolk (Judge: R Bryce, Chalmerston, Stirling). Champion and reserve – Riggfoot Suffolks, Uplawmoor. Taking the red, white and blue was a ewe hogg. She is by a Lansdale sire and out of a Deveronside mother. Reserve from Riggfoot was a ewe lamb. By Pyeston Phantom, her mother was champion of champions at Kilbarchan in 2017. All classes – Riggfoot Suffolks.

Commercial sheep (Judge: H Glasgow). Champion and reserve – T and E Paterson. Pen of three, fat lamb – T and E Paterson. Ewe and lamb – Riggfoot.

Texel (Judge: R Bryce). Champion and reserve – R Close, Nethermill. Champion was a tup lamb. He is by Crailloch Action Man, a tup bought at Lanark last year for £3000, shared with Humeston and Laigh Alticane. He is out of a ewe that stood first in her class at Houston. Reserve was a home-bred ewe. She is by a Forkins tup. Tup, tup hogg, ewe hogg – R Carruth, High Auchensale. Ewe, ewe lamb, tup lamb, group – R Close.

Any other breed sheep (Judge: H Glasgow). Champion and overall sheep champion – Mrs L Daff, Greenside, Uplawmoor, with a Bleu du Maine gimmer, Posh Bleu. By Tighnahinch Massey, she is out of a Robin Johnston-bred ewe. She was reserve champion of champions at Neilston, and section champion at Largs. Reserve – T and E Paterson with a Charollais ewe. By Ballyhibben O’Brien, she is out of a home-bred ewe. Tup, ewe lamb – T and E Paterson. Ewe, ewe hogg, group – L Daff. Tup lamb – R Baxter, Gibblaston.

Clydesdale (Judge: C Steel, Brodick Drive, East Kilbride). Champion – A and E Campbell, Kilmacolm with a home-bred foal. Reserve – Heather Steele, Pannel, Kilbarchan, with a gelding. Mare – Dorothy Coombe, Windyknowe Clydesdales, Hawksland, Lanark. Foal – A and E Campbell. Yeld mare or gelding – Heather Steele.