Ladies day at fabulous Fettercairn

Sarah (23) who is a retail assistant at Norvite Farm and Country, has made her presence felt at a number of the north-east shows winning several reserve titles in recent years, with the big one always eluding her. However, she went straight to the top for the first of the Aberdeenshire summer shows this year, winning the supreme overall with a pen of three home-bred Texel cross gimmers.

“The gimmers are an outstanding pen of sheep, full of character, style and they have mobility. All animals have to be able to walk,” said Martin Kennedy, vice president of NFU Scotland, who along with honourary vice president Bill Brown, selected the overall winner.

“All the champion winners are tremendous animals, but the sheep are really smart, square, bright and alert and they are a group of three,” added Mr Kennedy, pointing out that finding three matching individuals is always extremely difficult.

The gimmers are all by Annan Yogi Bear, a tup bought at Lanark as a lamb in 2016, from veteran breeder, Keith Jamieson, out of home-bred Texel cross ewes and were on their first and only outing, as they have since been retired from the show circuit.

For the supreme overall, they were up against the inter-breed cattle and horse winners, won by the commercial beef champion, from regular winners Rebecca Stuart and Blair Duffton, Huntly, and the lead Clydesdale, from Scott Greenhill, Leuchars, respectively.

Securing what must be a record breaking fourth consecutive inter-breed beef championship for Blair and Rebecca, this time was Shaniqua, a 20-month-old black Limousin cross heifer bred at Balluskie, at Barrhill, out of a Limousin cross British Blue heifer. She originally sold to Craig Robertson and then to Andrew Weir who exhibited her at LiveScot where she was bought by Blair and Rebecca. Reserve commercial champion at Angus Show, she also made up part of the winning inter-breed pairs and threes there, and the inter-breed pairs at Fettercairn.

“She’s an absolute tremendous heifer, with a great top on her and she’s full of meat. She also has presence and great balance,” said the overall beef judge, Robin Orr, Dunfermline, who admitted that finding a reserve to follow her, if he had been asked for one, was difficult.

Continental beef champion was Gerald and Morag Smith and son Dougie’s Drumsleed Hilight 16, the reserve junior female champion at the national show at Perth last year and this year’s reserve junior at the Highland. This big 22-month-old heifer by Grangewood William, is out of the former show heifer, Drumsleed Evita, and also stood second at Angus, this year.

It was another well-known show female that scooped the reserve continental honours when Aileen Ritchie’s Ritchie’s Meryl, an in-calf cow from Tamala, Whitecairns, that was inter-breed beef winner at Angus Show and fourth at the Highland was tapped forward. She also boasts some top show winning genetics behind her, being sired by Sympa and out Emslies Ieryl, another former overall beef champion at Angus for Miss Ritchie.

Young Courtney Steel (21), Brechin, had a day to remember too, winning the Aberdeen Angus title and the lead native honours with the two-year-old heifer, Blelack Eyrie, which was gifted to her as a 21st birthday present by her parents. She was originally bought as a calf at foot alongside her dam, Blelack Eyrie G187, at a previous Blelack reduction sale, and is sired by Hallington Principal. There are a few big prize rosettes behind this youngster too as the heifer was second at Ayr, and reserve female at Alyth and Angus Shows.

An extremely stylish Highland heifer from Rebecca Greenhorn and Graeme Easton’s Ranch fold from Letham, Angus, lifted the reserve native honours. Claira of Ubhaidh, a Fergus of Ubhaidh daughter out of Alice 1 of Earn, was bought at Oban and was junior female champion at the Highland and third this year.

While the pen of three Texel cross gimmers proved an out and out supreme champion for the two overall judges, they only just scooped the supreme sheep honours – selected on a points basis by the various section judges. In all, Sarah’s commercial champions and the lead Texel, from Gemma Green’s Corskie flock, from Fochabers, shown by her younger sister, Hannah, both scored 70points, but with the pen of three boasting four maximum scores against the Texel with just two, the supreme was presented to the Texel cross gimmers.

This meant, the Texel champion, a previously unshown home-bred two-crop ewe by Glenside Valhalla from 18-ewe flock had to settle with the reserve sheep award. However, the same animal also scooped the overall Agricar award – an inter-breed class competition, which this year saw all the first prizes ewes forward for the supreme.

Runner up for the Agricar award was the Suffolk best, a five-crop Cairness-bred ewe from Gary Troup, Shaggart.

Supreme horse in a much larger section was the native winner, Scott Greenhill’s Fordelhill Hannah, a yearling filly that was champion at Alyth and second at the Highland. She is by Eskechraggan Ernest and out of Fordelhill Heather Mairi.

LEADING awards

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: M Auld, Kilmarnock). Champion and native beef champion – Courtney Steel, West Drums Farm, Brechin, Angus, with the two year-old heifer Blelack Eyrie, by Hallington Principal. She was as a calf at foot with her mother, Blelack Eyrie G187 by her father and given to her as a 21st birthday present last year. Reserve female champion at Alyth and Angus, this youngster was also second in her class at Ayr Show. Reserve – G and F Willox, Meikle Pitinnan, Oldmeldrum, with the second prize winner to the champion, Cheeklaw Elma, a two-year-old by Cardona Proud Punch, bought at Cheeklaw dispersal and on first outing. Bull – JM Steel, Brechin, Angus. Cow – Sandi and Louise Airth, Stonehaven. Senior heifer – Courtney Steel. Junior heifer – Liz McPherson.

Highland cattle (Judge: M Auld). Champion and reserve native - Rebecca Greenhorn and Graeme Easton, Ranch Fold, Letham, Angus, with the two-year-old heifer Claira of Ubhaidh, by Fergus of Ubhaidh. She was junior female champion at Highland last year and third this year. Reserve – J and J Singer, Laurencekirk, with the reserve inter-breed winner from Alyth Show, Ailsa Emma Dhubh of Kintore Castlefold, a black heifer by Uallach Dubh 6 of Pollock. This three-year-old was also champion at the East Club and Angus shows. Bull – Morag Middleton, Fettercairn. Junior bull, two-year-old heifer – Ranch Fold. Cow – S and A Reid, Stonehaven. Two-year-old heifer – J and J Singer.

Charolais – (Judge: Mr Kay Adam, Glamis). Champion – R Anderson, Laurencekirk, with the sole entry in the section, Arthurhouse Izzywizzy. This five-year-old is by Pennal Dazzler and is the result of the in-calf heifer purchase, Balmyle Chica. She was shown due to Westcarse Houdini.

Limousin (Judge: Mrs K Adam). Champion and reserve inter-breed continental – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Burnside, Whitecairns, with two-year-old in-calf heifer Ritchie’s Meryl, by Sympa and out of Emslies Ieryl. She was inter-beed champion at Angus and fourth at the Highland. Aileen also won the reserve honours with the previously unshown 17-month-old bull Ritchie’s Neverman, by Rahoney Isaac, which is destined for at the bull sales in October. All classes – Miss A Ritchie.

Simmental (Judge: Mrs K Adam). Champion and inter-breed continental champion and reserve – G and M Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk, with September-2016 born heifer Drumsleed Hilight, by Grangewood William. She was reserve junior female at the National Show last year at Perth and reserve junior champion at the Highland this year. Taking the reserve honours was the couple’s four-year-old cow Drumsleed Farina, by Boarshead Karina, shown with her heifer calf. She was champion at Angus, Fettercairn and Kirriemuir last year. Bull, cow, heifer – G and M Smith. Calf – S and K Smith, Portlethen.

Cross cattle (Judge: I Emslie, Laurencekirk). Champion and inter-breed beef champion – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart of Huntly and Insch with 20-month-old Limousin cross hefier Shaniqua, by Lodge Hamlet. Bought at the LiveScot, Lanark, for £1500 she was reserve at Angus and second at the Highland. Reserve – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart with 20-month-old Limousin cross heifer Baby Jane. Bred by the Robertsons at Logierait and bought at The Thainstone Spectacular last year for £1800, she was first at the Christmas Classic and Spring Show. Cow, calf – P Cooper and Sons, Forfar. Heifer calf born before Jan 1, 2018 and after Sept 1, 2017 – CS Fleming and Son, Forfar. Bullock calf born before Jan 1 2108 and after Septe 1, 2017 – B Paterson, Banchory. Yearling heifer no hard teeth, heifer no more than two hard teeth; yearling heifr pair, yearling bullock no hard teeth – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart

Young handlers (Judge: R Orr, Dunfermline). 1 – Emma Smith; 2 – Lewis Singer, Auchenblae; 3 – Eoin Middleton, Fettercairn.

Shetland ponies (Judge: Mrs Louise Wilson, Ceres). Champion and reserve – Nina MacDonald-Lewis, Drumnagair Shetland Pony Stud, Methlick. Supreme was the two-year-old colt Stow Manifesto, by Stow Perfect, bought from his breeder, Jim Stow as a yearling. Reserve was the six-year-old yeld mare, Thordale Lyra, bred by Frances Taylor, Shetland and bought at the end of last year. She is by Zain of Berry. Senior Shetland, brood mare, foal, two/three-year-old – N MacDonald-Lewis. Yearling – Eynhallow Stud, Westown.

Highland ponies (Judge: H Brown, Kirriemuir). Champion – M and C Forsyth, Lunan Street, Friockheim, with the eight-year-old mare, Fourmerk Honey Bee, by Turkibbister Jarl Hakkon out of Fourmerk Honey. She was bred by Joan Alexander and was first at the Grass Sickness Show at Blairgowrie. Reserve – R and K Stewart, Stablesbrae, Banchory, with a previously unshown two-year-old colt. Senior – M and C Forsyth. Brood mare, foal – Catriona Lackie, Letham. Two-year-old – R and K Stewart.

Clydesdale (Judge: M Noble, Balmedie). Champion, native champion and supreme horse – S Greenhill, Leuchars Lodge, Fife, with the home-bred yearling filly Fordelhill Hannah, by Eskechraggan Ernest, out of Fordelhill Heather Mairi. Champion at Alyth, she was also second in her class at the Highland. Reserve – Amanda Merchant and Shonah Campbell of Rolling Thunder Clydesdales, Fettercairn, with six-year-old gelding Rolling Thunder Mr Bojangles, by Singlie Storm. A regular prize winner, he is out of Heatherwick Lady Penelope and also stood reserve at Brechin, last year. Yearling – S Greenhill. Two-year-old – Emila Socha.

Blackface (Judge: D Main, Little Brechin). Champion and reserve – G Cocker, Kirriemuir, Angus. Champion was a home-bred gimmer by a Dunruchan-bred son of a £14,000 Dalchirla, out of the 2016 champion winner here and reserve breed champion at the show, a three-crop Blackhouse-bred ewe by a £3000 Blackhouse. The gimmer was placed at local shows last year for Mr Cocker runs just four breeding ewes in his small flock. Aged ram, shearling ram, tup lamb – RC Myles and Son, Edzell, Angus. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – G Cocker.

Suffolk (Judge: GA Watt, Forfar). Champion – JA Lorimer, Kingswells, Aberdeen, with Irongray Ironman, a two-shear ram that was bought at Stirling in 2016. A son of the 20,000gns Muirton One Direction, bred from a Strathisla ewe with a Rookery sire, he was reserve male at the Highland in 2016 and placed at Ingliston, last year for the mother and son team of Judith and Stuart Lorimer. Reserve – GP Troup, Inverurie, with a five-crop Cairness-bred ewe bought last year at Beeston. This five-crop ewe that stood second in her class at the pre-sale show and was placed at the Highland, is by Thruston Chieftain and out of a Cairness-bred ewe. Aged ram, shearling ram, tup lamb, ewe lamb – JA Lorimer. Ewe, gimmer – GP Troup.

Jacob (Judge: M Harper, Hawick). Champion – A Christie, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, with last year’s reserve winner here, Adamski Lottie. Home-bred, this four-horned gimmer is by the 2016 champion winner here, Dun-mor Antonia, a St Boswells purchase and out of Pentranent Candie, a ewe bought at Skipton. Lottie picked up a number of top awards last year to include champion at Nairn and Grantown, reserve at Keith and first in her class here and at the Highland. Reserve – Jennifer Milton, Keith, with Cairdswood Centurian or ‘Sid’ a former prize winning home-bred three-shear ram by Hyndshaw Orion, bred from a home-bred ewe. Aged ram, shearling ram, ewe – J Milton. Tup lamb, gimmer, ewe lamb – A Christie.

Any other native breed (Judge: A Woodburn, Muirkirk). Champion – Alison Ross, Aboyne, with a home-bred three-crop Bluefaced Leicester ewe by a Rossiebank sire bought at Huntly and out of a home-bred ewe. A former prize winner here, she was producing a first championship win at Fettercairn for the Craskins ewe flock which numbers just 10 ewes. Reserve – A Milne, Banchory, with a home-bred white Ryeland gimmer by Wellfields Stuart, out of a home-bred ewe from the 20-ewe St Tran flock. She was placed at the local shows last year. Aged ram – Diana Milligan, Kincardine O’Neil. Shearling ram, gimmer, ewe lamb – A Milne. Tup lamb, ewe – Alison Ross.

Beltex (Judge: R Gregor, Inverurie). Champion – A Alston, Brechin, with a home-bred four-crop ewe by Kingledores Rascal, bred from Pentland Kylie, a ewe bought at the flock reduction which is also the grand-dam of the 60,000gns record priced Topflite shearling ram sold in 2016. The champion was a prize winner as a gimmer. Reserve – G and Fiona Burke, Brechin, with a February-born ewe lamb by Loandhu Bullet, a tup lamb bought privately last year at Turriff Show in partnership with Brian Wyllie and John Cowan, out of Pentland Pippa, an Airyolland Kingsize daughter. She was on her first outing. Shearling ram, ewe – A Alston. Tup lamb, gimmer, ewe lamb – G and F Burke.

Texel (Judge: M Leggat, Huntly). Champion, Agricar champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – Jemma Green, Fochabers, with a home-bred two-crop ewe shown by her sister Hannah Green (14) and Martyn Burnett. Her ewe is a daughter of Glenside Valhalla, bred from a Milnbank-bred ewe by Teiglum Tornado. Previously unshown, this was the second consecutive championship win here for the 18-ewe Corskie flock. Reserve – WJ and M Hunter, Insch, with a home-bred gimmer by the 2016 Carlisle purchase, Knap Yard Master, out of a Rohan ewe by Strathbogie Stud, bought at Lanark in 2014. She was a prize winner last year. Aged ram, gimmer – WJ and M Hunter. Shearling ram, tup lamb, ewe – J Green. Ewe lamb – A Allston, Brechin.

Any other continental breed (Judge: C Millican, Rothienorman). Champion and reserve – WJ and M Hunter, Insch, with Blue Texels from their small flock which numbers just 10 ewes and runs alongside a flock of 12 pedigree Texel ewes. Supreme was Hunters Cinderella, a February-born ewe lamb bred from a Millside ewe and sired by Dulas Axe, a tup bought at Worcester in 2016. Reserve was a similarly aged tup lamb by the same sire but bred from a home-bred gimmer daughter of the Millside ewe. He is destined for the breed sale at Carlisle, at the end of August. Aged ram, tup lamb, ewe lamb – WJ and M Hunter. Shearling tup, ewe – Deborah Atkinson, Insch. Gimmer – GP Troup, Inverurie. Pet sheep – Izzy Jacobsen, Inverbervie.

Cross sheep (Judge: W Wyllie, Pitlochry). Champion, inter-breed sheep and supreme overall champion of champions – Sarah Finnie, Cuminestown, with a pen of three home-bred Texel cross gimmers on their first outing. They are by Annan Yogi Bear, a tup bought at Lanark as a lamb in 2016, and bred from home-bred Texel cross ewes. Reserve – Moir Livestock, Fraserburgh, with the champion single, a Suffolk cross ewe lamb by a Cairness sire and bred from a home-bred Texel cross Suffolk ewe. She picked up the exact same award at the Highland. Reserve group of three and reserve single also went to sheep from Sarah Finnie (23), who is a Norvite administrater, with the former being three home-bred Suffolk cross ewes by a home-bred Antara tup and out of Suffolk cross Texel ewes. The equivalent amongst the singles was a home-bred two-crop Suffolk cross ewe by the same sire. Both lots were on their first outing. Three native cross ewes or gimmers, three native cross ewes or gimmers, single ewe – Sarah Finnie. Three continental cross lambs – W Mather and Sons, Brechin. Single lamb – Moir Livestock.

Young handlers (Judge: R Gregor). Champion – Rachel Burke, Brechin. Age 12 and under – 1, Wilson Stott; 2, Robbie Burke; 3, Katie Lorimer. Age 13-16 – 1, Rachel Burke; 2, Fraser Dandy; 3, Hannah Lorimer.