CONTINENTAL breeds ruled supreme during the inter-breed championships at this year’s Highland Show where Limousin and Charolais cattle picked up the top awards.

Despite the large white breed winning the junior and groups of four titles, it was the red breed and more specifically Robert and Jean Graham’s Grahams herd that landed the individual honours, while two from the Burnbank and Whinfellpark stables won the pairs championship.

The leading lady from the Bridge of Allan-based herd that last won the overall here back in 2007, was Grahams Niaomi, a 17-month-old brought out by brother and sister stockman duo, Drew and Jennifer Hyslop. Her breeding has already proved popular for the Grahams team as the Claragh Franco and Grahams Coffee cross has bred bulls to 40,000gns as well as numerous champions in the show ring. Niaomi herself has only been lightly shown this season, peaking with the championship ticket at Stirling Show on her most recent outing.

“She’s just a fantastic heifer with so much character and looks like she’d be a good breeder too,” said the judge of the overall, Tom Arnott. “She might not be the biggest or the heaviest in the final line-up but she’s a really beautiful animal – she’s got class and is lovely to look at."

Tapped forward in to reserve spot was the Charolais leader, a French import from Neil and Stuart Barclay, brought out by husband and wife team, Robert and Val Marshall. Brought privately last May and put straight to work on the 100-cow Harestone herd near Insch, Harestone Jaquard is full of French breeding being by Houblon and out of Ecossaise. This was the four-year-old’s first show on Scottish soil and he’ll celebrate his win by going back out with his ladies at Harestone.

“He’s a superb example of the Charolais breed with meat in all the right places,” said Mr Arnott of the bull, adding you don’t see a better show of cattle anywhere else in the country than at the Highland.

Jaquard had earlier teamed up with the Barclays’ Harestone Matilda, Blair Duffton’s Battleford Lola and John and Raymond Irvine’s Inverlochy Ingris to win the group of four title, with Mr Arnott adding they were superb as individuals and as a team with no weak link.

They stood ahead of the Limousin four – Grahams Melody from Robert and Jean Graham, Michael and Melanie Alford’s Foxhillfarm Minesagin, Doug and Lynda Graham’s Burnbank Jojo, and Messrs Jenkinsons' Foxhillfarm Jasper.

The celebrations had started early for the Grahams Limmy team when Niaomi stood reserve in the junior inter-breed to Elgin Neuer, a 15-month-old Charolais from the Milne family who were landing their first ever overall junior title here having stood reserve in 2013.

“He’s an outstanding bull with great breed character, plenty growth and a good topline – he’s got a good future ahead of him,” said the junior inter-breed judge, Andrew Stott.

In the pairs competition it was again Limmies that led when Doug and Lynda Graham’s Burnbank Jojo and Messrs Jenkinsons' Foxhillfarm Jasper edged ahead of the British Blue duo, Sandyvale Jagerbomb from the Patersons’ Auchenlay herd and Graymar Halle from James Mason, partner Louise MacKay and son Jamie.

Don't miss our bumper RHS results issue, out next week, for all the Highland Show action.