IT was a fine day for showing stock at Kirriemuir where the wet show day of 2017 was long forgotten and exhibitors enjoyed a sunny day with a light breeze.

With the champion of champions award travelling the various sections each year it was the turn of the sheep section to claim it and winning the inter-breed, judged on a points basis, was the leader of the commercial entry, a trio of gimmers from Andrew Beattie, of Tulliwhanland, Forfar. Edging the win with 30 points were three home-bred Texel cross gimmers which were on their first outing. 

Following closely behind with 29 points was the Beltex champion, a two-crop ewe by Broxty Wishful Thinking from the Burke family – Graham, Fiona, Rachel and Robbie – from Cairndrum Cottage, Edzell.

Wilson Peters, from Monzie, Crieff, continued his winning run to claim another cattle inter-breed title with his commercial champion, a 13-month-old heifer named Adora Derriere. This Powerhouse Harlequin daughter was following on from the same title at Doune and Dunblane, and earlier on had teamed up with another from Wilson, a bullock named John’s boy, to win the inter-breed pairs ahead of Heather Duff’s Simmental duo, Pitmudie Ireland and Pitmudie Impreza. 

Reserve to Adora Derriere in the individual inter-breed, as judged by freelance stockman, Bert Taylor, was the Limousin champion, Derg Nancy from the Ranch Livestock team of Graeme Easton and Rebecca Greenhorn, The Ranch, Letham. This Lodge Hamlet daughter was reserve at Angus.

There were further celebrations for Heather Duff’s Simmental herd when the pairs winners teamed up with Pitmudie Imperial to win the group of three ahead of another Simmental trio, Drumsleed Gretel, Drumsleed Hilight and Drumsleed Icicle from Gerald, Morag and Doug Smith. 

Icicle then went on to win the junior bull inter-breed championship ahead of McLarens Black Nugget, a Limousin from Willie McLaren, son Peter and daughter Lesley. 

Sandy Aitken’s multi-champion mare, Redcastle Pretty Amazing Grace, proved she’s still got it when the 10-year-old won the Clydesdale championship. The former Cawdor Cup winner is by Millisle Solway Bay. 

LEADING awards:

Clydesdale (Judge: C MacKay, Inverness). Champion – S Aitken, Newton Cottage, Memus, Forfar, with Redcastle Pretty Amazing Grace, a now 10-year-old Millisle Solway Bay daughter that was on her first outing of the year. This multi-champion mare, bred out of Redcastle Amanda, most recently stood champion of champions at the City of Aberdeen Clydesdale Show last September and is a former Cawdor Cup winner. Reserve – Rolling Thunder Clydesdales, Pinehurst, Luthermuir, Laurencekirk, with Rolling Thunder Mr Bojangles, a six-year-old Singlie Storm-sired gelding bred out of Heatherwick Lady Penelope. He stood reserve champion at Fettercairn and has qualified for the ridden finals at Blair Horse Trials later in the season. Gelding, yearling – Rolling Thunder Clydesdales. Brood mare, foal – A and J Greenhill, Upper Tulloes, Forfar. Yeld mare – S Aitken. 

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: N Caul, Auchterhouse). Champion and reserve – A Rennie, Mosston Muir, Guthrie, Forfar. Taking the championship for Alan and daughter Jodie was Mosston Muir Excalibur, a four-year-old bull by Netherallan Peter Pershore that stood reserve inter-breed at Fife as well as breed champion at Angus and Alyth shows. Bred out of Mosston Muir Emily, he was also third in his class at the Highland. In reserve was last year’s champion, Mosston Muir Tidy Bee, a 2010-born Mosston Muir Innes daughter out of Mosston Muir Tidy Belinda. On her first outing of the year, she had a three-week-old heifer calf at foot by Excalibur. Senior bull, junior bull, cow, yearling heifer, calf – A Rennie. 

Commercial cattle (Judge: S Kennedy, Coalhall, Ayrshire). Champion and inter-breed champion – WA Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff, with Adora Derriere, Wilson’s champion from Doune and Dunblane Show which was bought at the Royal Northern Spring Show in February and also won her class at the Royal Highland. This 13-month-old is sired by Powerhouse Harlequin and out of a Limousin cross British Blue cow. Reserve – W McLaren, Muirhouses, Kirrkemuir, with a January-born Limousin cross heifer calf by Normans Gamin and out of a home-bred Limmy cross mother. This was her first outing for Willie, son Peter and daughter Lesley. Cross cow, cross cow and calf, continental cross heifer calf born on or after January 1, 2018, best cross-bred calf bred by exhibitor – W McLaren. Continental cross bull calf born on or after January 1, 2018 – P Cooper and Son, Govals, Kincaldrum, Forfar. Continental cross bull calf born between September 1, 2017, and January 1, 2018, continental cross heifer calf born between September 1, 2017, and January 1, 2018, heifer born before September 1, 2017, bullock born before September 1, 2017, pair, points – WA Peters. 

Limousin (Judge: N Caul). Champion and reserve inter-breed – Ranch Livestock, The Ranch, Letham, Angus, with Derg Nancy, a May, 2017-born heifer bought privately from Ireland in January which went on to stand fifth at the Highland and reserve at Angus Show. Sired by Lodge Hamlet and out of Roundhill Inora, she is one of a handful in Graeme Easton and Rebecca Greenhorn’s Ranch herd. Reserve – W Lawson, Windsole, Auchterarder, with Windsole Nell, a daughter of the 140,000gns record-holder, Trueman Jagger, bred out of Windsole Ivy. Born in April, 2017, she stood champion at Fife. Junior bull, best opposite sex to champion – W McLaren. Heifer born between June 1, 2016, and June 1, 2017 – Ranch Livestock. 

Simmental (Judge: B Adam, Glamis). Champion and reserve – G and M Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, Laurencekirk. Taking the championship for Gerald and Morag together with son Doug, was Drumsleed Hilight, a home-bred heifer by Grangewood William, a past reserve champion at the Highland, and out of Drumsleed Evita. Born in September, 2016, she was champion at Fettercairn and reserve junior at the Royal Highland. Reserve here was Drumsleed Gretel, a three-year-old Haystar Cracker daughter that stood first in her class at the Highland. Bred out of Drumsleed Butterscotch, she was shown with her January-born heifer calf at foot by Dibbinsdale Nobleman, Drumsleed Juno. Junior bull, best opposite sex to champion, cow, heifer born between June 1, 2016, and June 1, 2017, calf born after June 1, 2017, pair, pair bred by exhibitor – G and M Smith. 

Any other native cattle breed (Judge: Mrs A Marshall, Pittenweem). Champion and reserve – Trainview Livestock, Dunnichen Road, Kingmuir, Forfar, with Beef Shorthorns. Claiming the championship was Trainview Lovely Julia, a three-year-old by Glengoy Dollar which stood reserve here last year. Bred out of Barnaugh Lovely Exquisite, her heifer calf, the Trainview Prince-sired Trainview Lovely Louise, born last September, was reserve champion on her first outing. Cow, heifer born on or after January 1, 2017 – Trainview Livestock. 

Highland cattle (Judge: Mrs A Marshall). Champion and reserve – Ranch Fold, The Ranch, Letham, Angus. Taking the tri-colour ticket for Graeme Easton and Rebecca Greenhorn was Eleanor of Ubhaidh, a three-year-old bought privately from Royds Tylden-Wright which stood champion at the Royal Highland last year. She is by Fergus of Ubhaidh and out of Alice 1 of Earn. Reserve here was Eleanor’s full brother, a yearling named Magnus of Ubhaidh that has been first in his class on the Angus Tayside circuit. It is hoped this private purchase will work on the fold of 13 Highlanders, including followers. Bull, heifer born in 2015, heifer born in 2016, heifer born in 2017, pair, best female – Ranch Fold. 

Beef young handlers. Aged five to 12 – Ruby Simpson, Mains of Creuchies. 

Suffolk (Judge: M Black, Ladybank). Champion – CA Anderson, Castle Street, Forfar, with a Donbraid ewe bought from Ian Donald’s dispersal as a ewe lamb back in 2015. Now a two-crop ewe, this Strathbogie Diesel daughter was first in her class and female champio at the Highland for Clare. Reserve – GA Mackie, Drimmie, Forfar, with a tup lamb. Shearling ram, ram lamb, ewe lamb, pair of untrimmed lambs, best opposite sex to champion – GA Mackie. Ewe – CA Anderson. Gimmer – TA Sands. 

North-type Blackface (Judge: S Duncan, Ballindalloch). Champion – M and D Simpson, Drumewan, Athole Street, Blairgowrie, with a gimmer on her first outing and one of just three northies run alongside a flock of southies at Sidlaw. Sired by a £3500 Chamberwells, she is out of an Auchnacloich ewe bought at Lanark for £400. Reserve – D Beaton, Newmill of Inshewan, Memus, Forfar, with an April-born ram lamb by a home-bred son of a £1000 Auchnacloich and out of mother by an £800 Auchnacloich. This was his first outing and he’ll be for sale at Stirling later in the year. Aged ram, two-shear ram, ram lamb, ewe, group, best male and female bred by exhibitor, best ram, group of males – D Beaton. Shearling ram – Cadogan Estates, Auchnacloich, Amulree, Dunkeld. One-crop ewe, ewe lamb, female group – DW Nicol. Gimmer, best female – M Simpson. 

South-type Blackface (Judge: A Cullens, Dollar). Champion – M and D Simpson, Drumewan, Athole Street, Blairgowrie, with his home-bred show ewe known at Betty. This three-crop, by a £1100 Dullatur and out of a daughter of a £5000 Dalchirla, has won many championships over the years and this year stood reserve at Angus and Alyth. Reserve – Tay and Torridon Estates, North Amulree, Amulree, Dunkeld, with a two-shear tup bought for £5000 from Elmscleugh at Dalmally as a shearling in partnership with Connachan and Traquair Hill. On his first outing, he is by the £160,000 Dalchirla. Two-shear ram, ram lamb, one-crop ewe, best opposite sex to champion – Tay and Torridon Estate. Shearling ram, ewe lamb – K Fairlie, Glen Cally, Kolbrun, Glen Clova, Kirriemuir. Ewe, gimmer – M Simpson. 

Texel (Judge: D Moir, Fraserburgh). Champion – A and T Greenhill, Westhall, Kellas, Dundee, with a February-born ewe lamb that stood first in her class at Alyth. Got by ET, she is by Knap Alligator and out of a Knap gimmer by Ettrick Van Gogh, one of 40 ewes in Ally and Tom’s Morroes flock. Reserve – Messrs Steel and Close, Craignathro, Forfar, with a similarly aged tup lamb by Crailloch Action Man and out of last year’s champion, a home-bred ewe by a Forkins sire. This was his first outing from the 40-ewe flock and he’ll be for sale at Lanark. Aged tup, shearling tup, ewe lamb – A and T Greenhill. Tup lamb, group of three – Messrs Steel and Close. Ewe – A Alston, Drumchapel, Chapelton of Memuir, Brechin. Gimmer – F Dandie, Hatton of Carse, Forfar. 

Beltex (Judge: A Baillie, Lanark). Champion and reserve inter-breed – G and F Burke, Cairndrum Cottage, Edzell, Brechin, with a home-bred ewe by the 3200gns Broxty Wishful thinking tup shared with Drumchapel and Balbrydie. This two-crop ewe out of a ewe by Airyolland Kingsize in the flock run by Graham and Fiona, together with Rachel and Robbie, also won the championship at Angus Show on her only other outing. Reserve – I Reid, Isle Cottage, Methven, Perth, with last year’s inter-breed champion, Aviemore Wilma, which stood second in her class to the champion. Sired by Artnagullion Top Dog and out of Aviemore Pepsi, she picked up the championship at Stirling Show earlier in the season. Tup, gimmer, pairs – B Wylie, Balbrydie, Kirriemuir. Tup lamb, ewe, ewe lamb – G and F Burke. 

Any other sheep breed (Judge: N McGowan, Alyth). Champion – A and J Adam, Newhouse of Glamis, Glamis, with a March-born traditional Bluefaced Leicester out of a home-bred daughter of a £2200 Kirkstead, one of 15 females owned by young brothers, Adam and James. Sired by a £2500 Peel View, he is destined for sale at Carlisle. Reserve – D Soutar, Strathellie, Alyth, Blairgowrie, with a February-born Blue Texel ewe lamb which was handled by nine-year-old Ruby Stewart. Sired by Viewforth Angus – which stood first in his class – and out of a Viewforth ewe, her full brother sold at Carlisle for 1600gns for David’s nine-ewe Strathellie flock. Tup, gimmer, ewe lamb – D Soutar. Tup lamb, pairs – A and J Adam. Ewe – Kinneff Farms, Grange of Kinneff, Inververvie. 

Commercial sheep (Judge: W Stevenson, Pitlochry). Champion and inter-breed champion – A Beattie, Tulliwhanland, Aberlemno, Forfar, with a pen of three Texel cross gimmers which were on their first outing. Three of only 21 gimmers still owned by young Andrew, who dispersed the rest of his flock earlier on, they will be for sale at Forfar in September. Reserve – D Black, Minard, Cortachy Road, Kirriemuir, with the second prize pen of gimmers from the same class which are of Texel cross Beltex breeding. They were bought by David from West Park last September, and will also be up for grabs at Forfar in a couple months’ time. Three prime lamb (native), three prime lambs (continental), ewe and pair of lambs, best pen of prime lambs – JD Steele, Goddens, Glencarse, Perth. Three gimmers – A Beattie. Three Mule gimmers – D Black. 

Sheep young handlers (Judge: M Black, Ladybank). Champion – Rachel Burke. Age five to 12 years – 1, Robbie Burke; 2, Ruby Stewart; 3, Izzy Jacobsen. Aged 13 to 16 – 1, Rachel Burke; 2, Fraser Dandie; 3, Beth Steel. 

Highland pony (Judge: Mrs A Barron, Arbroath). Champion – K Lawson and W Sinclair, Boghead Farm Cottages, Inverkeilor, Arbroath, with Lochlands Musetta, a 10-year-old Rignell Sassenach daughter that was on her first outing of the year and previously stood champion at Alyth in 2016. She is out of Lochlands Madasun. Reserve – L McKay, Arnbarrow Cottage, Fetercairn, with Glenmuir Dulcie, a Burnside Ben Nevis-sired brood mare out of Glenmuir Abigail. Brood mare, foal – L McKay. Yeld mare – K Lawson and W Sinclair. Gelding – Miss N Saunderson and D Cant, Kinaldie Holdings, Arbroath. Two-year-old – H and L Lundie, Keithhall Farm, Liff, Dundee.

Shetland pony (Judge: KL Adam, Alloa). Champion – LM and JCG Wilson, Leys Farm, Muckhart, Dollar, with Myreton Gustavo, a two-year-old colt by Birchmoor Viking and out of Myreton Georgie. He’s barely been out the tickets on the show circuit. Reserve – W and P Robertson, Newhame Road, Montrose, with Midcalder I’m a Perdy Lady, which is by Millhouse Director and out of Struie Cindy 2. Brood mare, two or three-year-old filly – W and P Robertson. Foal – A McConville, Over Daldinnie, Cupar. Stallion or gelding – LM and JCG Wilson.