Biggar Show: Clydesdale gelding Solo stands supreme

From the line-up of six section winners, including the best of the dairy, beef, sheep, Clydesdale, dog and poultry entries, it was the Tennant family’s West Forth Solo that caught the eye of the judge, Tom Minto, of Townhead, Dolphinton. 

“When I saw him it was his power and strength I liked but he’s got a good bit of brightness about him too, and I really liked the look of him,” said Mr Minto of the six-year-old Muirton Sabre-sired gelding that won the gelding championship at the Royal Highland Show last month. 

Although no official reserve ticket was presented, Mr Minto said he would likely have given it to the dog champion, Dez Begg’s 16-month-old German Shorthaired Pointer bitch called Cass, which has competed at Crufts. 

The sheep lines welcomed the biggest entry and by far the largest section was seen in the Texel breed, where more than 20 were forward for some classes, so it was fitting the champion from Gordon and David Gray’s Ettrick flock landed the sheep inter-breed title under judge, John Graham, Mains of Burnbank. This one-crop ewe, which stood champion at Dalkeith, last year, is by Shannagh Won O Won and out of a ewe by the flock’s noted Ettrick Rainbow Warrior sire. 

Reserve to her was a powerful Suffolk gimmer from Elaine Wilkie’s Islay flock. Champion at Lesmahagow as a ewe lamb, her breeding includes Solwaybank Statement on to an Islay Legacy daughter.

It was a good day for James Wightman when his Simmental champion, Coxhill Emerald, was tapped out as beef inter-breed champion by John Dykes, Mendick Lea. This former inter-breed champion from Haddington Show is by Curaheen Tyson and out of Coxhill Yasmin. 

Heading up the poultry section was a white leghorn hen from father and son team, William and Kevin Gardener. On her first outing, this yearling is full of home-bred genetics. 

LEADING awards:

Dairy cattle (Judge: H Lennox, Netherholm, Strathaven). Champion and reserve – A and E Lawrie, with two Holstein Friesians. Taking the tri-colour ticket was Meiklefirthhead Mincho Mitzi VG88, a third calver on her first outing that is yielding 50 litres having calved three months previously. Bought at Carlisle from David Yates’ reduction sale, she recorded 11,500kg during her second lactation. In reserve was another on her first outing, the home-bred Grangehall Mincho Hatsumer VG86, which calved fourth months ago and was paraded yielding 40 litres. Quey, heifer in milk, cow in milk, pair – A and E Lawrie. Heifer in calf – W Baillie. 

      Inter-breed beef champion, Coxhill Emerald

Charolais (Judge: J Graham, Mains of Burnbank, Blairdrummond). Champion – C Wight, Carwood, with Carwood Napoleon, an 11-month-old son of Ugie Goldcup bred from the Balthayock Aesop-sired Carwood Iona. This was his first outing and he is destined for the February sales. Reserve – J and E Wight, Townfoot, with Midlock Newman, an April, 2017-born son of Blelack Jerrylee bred out of the Inverlochy Upbeat daughter, Midlock Eileen. He did well at Lesmahagow and is also heading to the February sales. Bull – J and E Wight. Eild heifer, calf, best opposite sex to champion – C Wight. 

Limousin (Judge: J Graham). Champion – I Nimmo, Bogside, with Maraiscote Neil, an April, 2017-born bull by the 19,000gns Millgate Jukebox and out of Maraiscote Foxy. He was second in a strong class at the Great Yorkshire and will be heading for sale. Reserve – WJ Smith, Greentowers, with Roundhill HGiroflee, a 2012-born cow by Acajou and out of Roundhill EGiroflee. This Irish-bred champion from Lesmahagow Show was shown with her heifer calf at foot by Powerful Irish. Bull – I Nimmo. Cow, eild heifer, calf – WJ Smith. 

Simmental (Judge: J Graham). Champion, beef inter-breed champion and reserve – J Wightman, Coxhill. Going all the way for James was his 2013-born cow, Coxhill Emerald, which is by Curaheen Tyson and out of Coxhill Yasmin. This inter-breed champion at the 2015 Haddington Show has won lots of prizes during her show career and was shown with her Team Celtic-sired bull calf at foot, Coxhill Jager-bomb. In reserve was the Haddington and Drymen champion, a 13-month-old son of Lopemead Gregg called Coxhill Innes. This 14-month-old, out of the 2016 Biggar Show champion, Team Kasey, is destined for the February sales. Cow, calf – J Wightman. Eild heifer – G Brown, Springfield. 

British Blue (Judge: R Paterson, Upper Auchenlay, Dunblane). Champion – D and L Watret, Muirfield, with Criffelview Kendra, a two-and-a-half-year-old heifer which stood inter-breed at Lesmahagow, reserve at Cumberland and reserve female at the Great Yorkshire. Shown by young Ross and Gregor, she is by Cromwell Fendt and out of Criffelview Gracious. Reserve – J Devine and M Hill, Hillend, with Walnut Lara, a two-year-old Dafydd d’Ochain daughter bought at Carlisle, last May, and one of only two in the Devine herd. Bred from a Mountjoy Utopia daughter, she was on her first outing. Bull – I McGarva, Nether Abington. Cow, calf – B Hill, Crawfordwalls. Heifer – D and L Watret. Eild heifer – J Devine and M Hill. 

Highland cattle (Judge: D Soutar, Strathellie, Alyth). Champion – G Hyslop, Blackburn, with Eoin Mhor 24 of Mottistone, a February, 2017-born bull bought alongside his mother, Sonasag Ruadh 5 of Ardoran, at the Oban sale to join Grant’s 20-cow Black Glen fold. Sired by Eoin Mhor 8 of Mottistone, he was second at the East of Scotland club show and will head back to Oban next February. Reserve – Miss L Burns and C Stark, Tippetcraig, with Lorna Dhubh 2 of Craigluscar, an 18-month-old by Angus Dubh of Savalmhor bought at Oban last October. Bred out of Lorna Dhubh of Craigluscar, this was her third outing but first big win for the Tippetcraig fold. Bull, heifer born in 2016 – G Hyslop. Cow – S and R Hunter, Barnhill. Heifer born in 2015 – C Cuthbertson, Peebles. Heifer born in 2017 – Miss L Burns and C Stark. Calf – Glasgow City Council. 

Beef cow with calf (Judge: A Steel, Craignathro, Forfar). Champion – J Warnock and Sons, Dreva. Reserve – D Erskine, Gilbank. Cow with spring-born native bull calf, cow with spring-born native heifer calf – K Dunlop, Hillhead. Cow with spring-born bull calf, group of cows with spring-born calves – J Warnock and Son. Cow with spring-born heifer calf – D Erskine. 

Prime cattle (Judge: A Steel). Champion – D and L Watret, Muirfield, with a home-bred 13-month-old bullock called Disco Dave which was brought out by young Ross and Gregor. Placed at the Yorkshire and at Ayr, he is by the Limousin bull, Millbrook Dartangan, and out of a Blue cross dairy cow. Reserve – J Lindsay, Kepscaith. Bullock – D and L Watret. Heifer – J Lindsay. Calf – A and S Stevenson. 

Young Farmers’ cattle. Brought out – 1, John Wight; 2, Julie Wight; 3, Alison Wight. Beef animal – 1, Julie Wight; 2, Alison Wight. 

Clydesdale (Judge: G Gray, Cameronknowe, Linlithgow). Champion and champion of champions – J Tennant, Middle Oak, with West Forth Solo, the gelding champion from this year’s Royal Highland as well as breed champion at Dalkeith a couple years back. This six-year-old Muirton Sabre son, bred from Muirton Mhairi, was on just his second outing of the year. Reserve – J Rochhead, Malcolmwood, with Malcolmwood Islay, a yearling filly by Dillars Jura and out of Mill Moonlight.This champion from Stonehouse and Lesmahagow shows also won her class at Kittochside. Mare with foal, foal – K Donald, Sandford. Yeld mare – J Adamson, East Glentore. Two-year-old filly – C Young, Ayr. Yearling filly, female champion – J Rochhead. Yearling colt – Y Pringle and DJ Copland, Newton Grange. Gelding, male champion – J Tennant. Young handler – Joan Sheridan, Wester Place. Ridden – A Noble, Peggyslea. Stud cart – H Ramsay, Millisle. 

     Sheep inter-breed champion, a one-crop Texel from Ettrick

Texel (Judge: H Gamble, Hill Farm, Groomsport, Bangor). Champion and sheep inter-breed champion – G and D Gray, Sunnycroft, with a one-crop ewe that stood champion at Dalkeith, last year, and also placed second at the Highland and the Yorkshire. She is by the Shannagh Won O Won tup that has bred well for the Ettrick flock, and out of an Ettrick Rainbow Warrior daughter, making her full sister to 10,000gns and 7000gns females sold at the Select Seven sale, last year. Reserve – S Renwick, Craig Douglas, with a February-born tup lamb on his first outing before heading to Lanark. Got by ET, he is by Sportsmans Unbeatable and out of an Ettrick Rainbow Warrior daughter. Aged tup – J Sugden, Normangill Lodge. Shearling tup, ewe lamb – J and H Clark, North Garngour. Tup lamb, best opposite sex to champion – S Renwick, Craig Douglas. Pair of tup lambs, ewe – G and D Gray. Gimmer – Messrs Currie, Carlinside. Pair of ewe lambs – R Cockburn, Errol. Young Farmers’ class – 1, Kim Laird; 2, Henry Griffies; 3, Amy Laird. 

Border Leicester (Judge: J Brown, Mindrum Mill, Northumberland). Champion and reserve – J and M Kinloch, Elsrickle Mains. Taking the championship was Alticane Albert, a shearling tup bought as a lamb last year at Lanark and on his first outing since. He sired the first prize ewe lamb. Reserve here was a home-bred gimmer by Knockglass Gordon, out of a home-bred ewe and also on her first outing. Shearling tup, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, pair of ewe lambs, group of four, best opposite sex to champion – J and M Kinloch. Tup lamb, pair of tup lambs – A Gardner, Cocklaw. 

Suffolk (Judge: J Brown). Champion, reserve inter-breed and reserve – E Wilkie, Shaw Cottage. Elaine’s winner that went on to stand reserve in the inter-breed was a home-bred gimmer by Solwaybank Statement, the stock tup in her 50-ewe Islay flock, and out of an Islay Legacy daughter. She was champion at Lesmahagow as a ewe lamb. Reserve was a two-crop Soutra-bred ewe by Strathisla Stand Off and out of a ewe by a Capielaw sire. Tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, group of four – E Wilkie. 

Beltex (Judge: J McMillan, Carse of Clary, Newton Stewart). Champion – R Wood, Kingledores, with a home-bred shearling tup names Kingledores Commander. A full brother to last year’s 27,000gns lamb, Kingledores Crusader, he is by Glentre Armani and out of a home-bred Viagrow daughter. He was reserve breed champion at Peebles, last yearling, and will lead the shearling offering at Carlisle. Reserve – A and M Dunlop, Corstane, with Broughton Cherry Tutti which goes back to the brothers’ show ewe, Broughton Tutti Fruitti, which was reserve at the Highland a couple years ago. Sired by Woodwick Alpha, this gimmer was placed at Lesmahagow. Shearling tup, tup lamb, ewe lamb – R Wood. Ewe – J Gregory, Fernblick. Gimmer – A and M Dunlop. Group of four – A Baillie, Carstairs Mains. 

Zwartbles (Judge: J Strawhorn, Broomhillbank, Johnstone Bridge). Champion – C and H Duffy, with a December-born ewe lamb named Smiddyhill Festive. Sired by Joyfield 007 and out of Smiddyhill Hope, this was Festive’s first outing from the 20-ewe flock. Reserve – M and G Smith, Barmurrie, with Barmurrie Eva, a home-bred gimmer by Barmurrie Apollo and out of Stewarton Winner. She was placed at the Yorkshire and did well as a ewe lamb. Tup, gimmer, group of four – M and G Smith. Tup lamb – C Rae, Wallacetown. Ewe lamb – C and H Duffy. 

Blackface (Judge: G Irving, Mount Benger, Selkirk). Champion – A and J Kennedy, Mitchellhill, with a gimmer by a home-bred tup that sold for £3500 last year while her mother is by a £26,000 Blackhouse. She was part of the winning pairs team at Dalkieth Show the previous week. Reserve – M Coubrough, Hartside, with Emily, Malcolm’s show ewe and winner at the Highland Show last year. On her first outing of 2018, she is by a £27,000 Midlock and out of a ewe by Bolt. Aged tup, shearling tup, group of five, best opposite sex to champion – D Marshall, Gosland. Tup lamb – A McArthur, Nunnerie. Pair of tup lambs – M Hamilton, Woolfords. Ewe, ewe lamb – M Coubrough. Gimmer – A and J Kennedy. Shepherds’ champion and reserve – W Craig, Gosland. Shepherds’ ewe, shepherds’ gimmer, shepherds’ ewe lamb – W Craig. 

Bluefaced Leicester traditional type (Judge: J Dykes, Mendick Lea, West Linton). Champion and reserve – S Nelson, Spittal. Stuart’s champion was a home-bed gimmer by the 1000gns H16 Leadburnlea out of a home-bred ewe. She was out as a lamb and stood first at Dumfries. Reserve here was a tup lamb by the K5 Ashes bought for £700 and out of a ewe by the F26 Shiels Knowe. This was his first outing and he’ll be for sale at Kelso as a shearling. Shearling tup, tup lamb, gimmer, group of five – S Nelson. Ewe lamb – H Brown, Leadburnlea. 

Bluefaced Leicester crossing type (Judge: W Hedley, Crosbie Cottage, Earlston). Champion – T Dick and Son, Hamildean, with a March-born ewe lamb by the H1 Kirkby Redgate bought for £4000 out of a ewe by the £6000 Midlock Big Ben. Got by ET, she was second at Dalkeith and is a full sister to the £10,000 shearling sold at Kelso, last year. Reserve – J Cunningham, Blueacre, with a tup lamb. Aged tup – G and S Gardener, Libberton. Shearling tup – R Wood, Kingledores. Tup lamb, best opposite sex to champion – J Cunningham. Pair of tup lambs, gimmer – M Thornborrow, Easter Dawyck. Ewe, ewe lamb, group of four – T Dick and Son. Pair of ewe lambs – K Warnock and Son, Dreva. 

Scotch Mule (Judge: W Hedley). Champion – F Robertson, Beeches, with a ewe lamb by the £2200 K4 Midlock bought at Hawes and out of a ewe by a Crosswoodhill sire. This was her first outing. Reserve – GW Allan, Ochiltree, with a Hamildean-bred gimmer bought privately as a ewe lamb. First at LiveScot last year, she is by the F33 Riddens and out of a Hamildean ewe. Ewe lamb – F Robertson. Pair of ewe lambs – I Minto, Townhead. Gimmer – GW Allan. Ewe – A MacGregor, Allanfauld. 

Shetland sheep (Judge: Mrs C Sharp, Cedar Lodge, Humbie). White champion and overall champion – B and J Watson, Fieldcroft, with a home-bred gimmer named Moncaster Hannah which did well as a lamb and whose twin sister was female champion and reserve overall at the Great Yorkshire, She is by Raedykes Blake, out of Moncaster Shiraz, and is one of a flock of 100 ewes bred commercially with Border Leicester and Texel tups. Coloured champion, reserve overall and reserve white – P, D and A Playfair, Stichhill. Taking the coloured championship and reserve overall for the family was Hillend Cauldron, a black four-shear ram bought in 2015 which has since been champion at Dalkeith in 2016 and Bellingham in 2017. Sired by the multi-champion Hillend Zulu, he is out of Hillend April. The family also landed the reserve white honours with the home-bred shearling tup, Kaimknowe Licence to Thrill, which won his class at Haddington and Dalkeith. His pedigree features Kaimknowe Lazarus on to Greenacre Charlotte. Reserve coloured – F and A Hipwell, Wester Cockairney, with Iris of Corkairney, a 2015-born ewe that bred the champion at Doune and Dunblane and was on her debut outing. She is by Drum Euan and out of Gigha of Cockairney. Tup – P, D and A Playfair. Tup lamb – J Brunton, Fieldview. Ewe – F and A Hipwell. Gimmer – B and J Watson. Ewe lamb – H and A Greenfield, Broadwath. 

Any other sheep breed (Judge: D Lowry, Newsteading, Lanark). Champion – C Rae, Wallacetown, with a Blue Texel tup lamb called Wallacetown Calder. Born in March out of a Millend ewe bought at the dispersal at Worcester, he is by Hackney All Gold and was on his first outing. Reserve – G Fleming, Shoestanes. Tup, gimmer – G Fleming. Tup lamb, ewe, ewe lamb, group of four – C Rae. 

Prime lambs (Judge: D Lowry). Champion – F Smith, Cloverhill, with three continental cross lambs. Reserve – T Weir, Whitfield, with three down cross lambs. Three down cross lambs – T Weir. Three continental cross lambs (not Texel) – F Smith. Three Texel cross lambs, three YFC prime lambs – J Orr, Wester Walston. 

Children’s section. Calf – 1, Gregor Watret; 2, Grace Lawrie; 3, Murdo Dykes. Dairy – 1, Grace Lawrie; 2, Caden Lawrie. Beef – 1, Sarah Comrie; 2, Ross Watret; 3, Olivia Harrison. Sheep (under 12 years – 1, Finlay Foster; 2, Lewis Dall; 3, Emily Coubrough. Sheep (aged 12-16) – 1, Cameron Baillie; 2, Fergus Mason.