The magnificent spectacle of more than 160 vintage tractors, all gleamingly polished, proved a major attraction for the packed ringside at the penultimate show of the North-east show season at Tarland last weekend.

“We had the best attendance on record and it was fantastic to see so many people round the ring for the display of tractors and the grand parade of livestock,” said show secretary, Debbie Allardyce.

The livestock judging saw the partnership of Blair Duffton from Huntly and Rebecca Stuart from Insch continue on their winning way although their overall inter-breed champion in the cattle section was a change from the one which has given them three inter-breed titles and six cross cattle championships at earlier shows.

Their winner on this occasion, in a reversal of the placings at Turriff earlier in the week, was an Irish-bred British Blue-sired steer, Oreo, which was steer champion at Turriff, while a full sister – the cross cattle champion at Turriff – stood reserve for brothers, David and William Moir of Moir Livestock, Home Farm,Cairness, Fraserburgh. Both were produced from the same embryo flush and were bought separately in Northern Ireland.

A trio of yearling heifers from the Duffton/Stuart partnership went on to win the inter-breed award for the best group with the Highland team from Jim Fraser, South Tilbouries, Maryculter, taking reserve.

But it was the Simmentals that dominated when it came to the inter-breed award for the best pair of beef animals with the breed champion and reserve – both home-bred – securing the top honours for Michael Durno, Auchorachan, Glenlivet.

The reserve award went to two British Blue heifers, including the reserve breed champion, from Gavin and Jenna Greenlaw, Balgairn Farms. A clean sweep of all the trophies confined to local exhibitors was achieved by Euan and Michelle Greenlaw, Milton Farm, Glenbuchat, Strathdon, with their cross calf, Mistletoe.

The journey over the Lecht from Boat of Garten provided worthwhile for Gemma McIntosh and Charlie McIntyre, whose Blackface champion, which was similarly placed at the Sutherland Show at Dornoch, went on to take the overall sheep championship on only its second show outing. This two-shear Dunruchan-bred tup by a £14,000 Dalchirla, was bought at Lanark for £4000 for their Croftnagaran flock with a half share retained by Dunruchan.

It was three reserve inter-breed championships in a row for 18-year-old Jemma Green, Corskie, Garmouth, with the two-crop Texel ewe from her 20-strong Texel flock which was similarly placed at Fettercairn and Echt. She is a daughter of a Milnbank ewe and one of the first ewes bought by Gemma four years ago.

Local exhibitor, Lynne MacDonald, Mains of Coynach, Tarland, topped the horse section with her Highland pony champion, Islay Malt of Coynach, a young colt by Whitefield Prince Platinum, which was following on from his champion of champions success at Angus Show in June.

LEADING awards

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: J Smith, Alyth). Champion – G and Fiona Willox, Cardenwell, Meikle Pitinnan, Oldmeldrum, with two-year-old heifer, Cardenwell Blossom, by Burnside Jamie Eric, out of Cardenwell Bracken, reserve last year, yearling champion at the Black Beauty Bonanza and first at Turriff and Banchory. Reserve – G and Fiona Willox with yearling heifer, Cardenwell Bluebell, full sister to the champion. Bull, calf – Wendy Willox, Clatt. Cow, two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer – G and Fiona Willox.

Blonde (Judge: G Patterson, Keith). Champion – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with ten-year-old home-bred cow, Strathisla Dawn, by Druk Lance and out of Strathisla Ashley, with bull calf at foot, champion at New Deer and Banchory and reserve at Echt and Turriff. Reserve – G Anderson, Beltie Cottage, Glassel, Banchory, with home-bred yearling bull, Glassel Neymar, by Strathisla Glen, champion at Turriff and Echt and reserve at Banchory. Bull – G Anderson. Cow, heifer, bull calf – Alison Watt.

Limousin (Judge: J Cameron, Forfar). Champion – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Burnside, Whitecairns, with two-year-old home-bred heifer, Ritchies Meryl, by Sympa, out of Emslies Ieyrl, inter-breed champion at Angus, champion at Fettercairn, New Deer, Banchory and Turriff, and first at Limousin Grand Prix at Echt. Reserve – R and Kathy Davidson, Corsairtly, Keith, with yearling heifer, Corsairtly Notable, by Ronick Inspector, reserve at New Deer. Yearling bull, bull calf – M Robertson, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul. Two-year-old heifer – A Ritchie. Yearling heifer, heifer calf – R and K Davidson.

Highland (Judge: J Cameron, Forfar). J and L Fraser and Son, South Tilbouries, Maryculter, with four-year-old cow, Eidh 5 of Dunach, by Bentalla of Morristone, out of Sith Mollaige 3 of Dunach, bought at Oban as a yearling and champion last year. Class placings at local shows. Reserve – S and Alison Brown, South Tilbouries, Maryculter, with two-year-old heifer, Carlin 4 of Culfoich, by Jacob 2 of Benmore and out of Laria 1 of Culfoich, bought at Oban last October to start new fold. Reserve at Echt, first at Banchory and New Deer and fourth at Black Isle. Bull, yearling heifer – Morag Middleton, Fettercairn. Cow, heifer calf, bull calf, steer – J and L Fraser and Son. Three- year-old heifer – Mr and Mrs Greaves, Hatton. Two-year-old heifer – S and Alison Brown.

British Blue (Judge: G Patterson). Champion – Sarah Balfour, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, with two–year–old heifer, Black n Blue Lady Lloyd, by Jisco de Focant, out of Black n Blue Estelle, reserve at Echt and Grantown and champion at Nairn. Reserve – G and Jenna Greenlaw, Balgairn Farms, Dinnet, with 19-month-old heifer, Greenlaw Lucky Lady, by Tenace de la Praule, out of Graymar Electra, champion at Echt and Banchory. Produced from embryo – dam a former breed champion at the Highland and Great Yorkshire shows. Heifer – Sarah Balfour.

Any other pure-bred (Judge: J Cameron). Champion – D and R Durno and Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, with 16-month-old Salers bull, Cheuchhead Munro, by Cuil Godfather, champion any other breed at Turriff and reserve at Grantown. Bull – D and R Durno and Sons.

Simmental (Judge: J Smith). Champion – D and R Durno and Sons with rising two-year-old bull, Auchorachan Hercules ET, by Auchorachan Acdc and out of South Park King Kong Weikel 2. To be retained as stock bull . Reserve – D and R Durno and Sons with rising two-year-old heifer, Auchorachan Letta, by Team Fergus, out of Auchorachan Dynasty, reserve at Grantown. Bull, yearling heifer – D and R Durno and Sons. Calf – S and K Smith, Portlethen.

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: James Smith). Champion – Glenrinnes Farms Ltd, Dufftown, with yearling heifer, Glenrinnes Loopylou, by Chapelton Glenlivet, out of Glenrinnes Holly, first at Grantown, Echt and Nairn and third at Black Isle. Reserve – D and Jennifer Hardie, Gates of Birselawsie, Midmar, with rising two-year-old home-bred bull, Birselawsie Kozmo, by Birselawsie Glenlivet, champion at Echt and Banchory. Bull – D and Jennifer Hardie. Cow, calf – C and E Clark, Rattray Estates Ltd, Peterhead. Heifer – Glenrinnes Farms Ltd.

Cross (Judge: S Hunter, Culsalmond). Champion – B Duffton, Huntly, and Rebecca Stuart, Insch, with 14-month-old steer, Oreo, by British Blue sire, Empire D’Ochain, and out of pure-bred Limousin cow, which was a former Royal Ulster Show champion. Bought at Dungannon in March for £1800. Champion steer at Turriff and Banchory and one of champion pair at Turriff. Being retained for Welsh Winter Fair in November. Reserve – Moir Livestock, Home Farm, Cairness, Fraserburgh, with 14-month-old heifer, Magic Mojo, by British Blue sire, Empire D’Ochain and out of pure-bred Limousin cow which was a former Royal Ulster Show champion. Full sister to the champion and bought privately in Northern Ireland. Reserve inter-breed champion at Grantown, reserve champion at the Royal Northern Spring Show, Blue cross champion at the Royal Highland and champion at Turriff. Unhaltered cow and bull calf – M Rainnie, Dinnet. Cow, junior bull calf – B Paterson, Sauchen. Yearling heifer – Moir Livestock. Yearling steer, yearling steer pair, yearling heifer pair and butcher’s animal – B Duffton. Senior bull, calf – Sarah Balfour, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul. Senior heifer calf – I Miller, Midmar. Junior stockperson – Lois Milne.

Carcase cattle (Judge: Gordon Hay, Kildrummy) Champion – W and J Cameron, Grange, Keith, with steer. Reserve – W and J Cameron with steer. Heifer – Steven Smith, Turriff.

Blackface (Judge: N Barclay, Crathes). Champion – Gemma McIntosh and C McIntyre, Upper Croft Na Garn, Boat of Garten, with two-shear Dunruchan-bred tup by £14,000 Dalchirla bought at Lanark last October for £4000 with a half-share retained by Dunruchan. Champion at Dornoch. Reserve – Gemma McIntosh and C McIntyre with gimmer by £3000 Crosswoodburn out of ewe by £1000 Northern Sychie. Aged tup, ewe, ewe lamb – Gemma McIntosh and C McIntyre. Shearling tup, tup lamb – J Davidson, Alford. Ewe – JH Thomson and Son, Starthdon.

Suffolk (Judge: G Christie, Inverurie). Champion – Faith Miskelly (11), Kildrummy, Alford, with tup lamb by Lakeview Under the Radar out of home-bred ewe, first at the Highland and Banchory and second at Turriff. Destined for sale at Thainstone in September. Reserve – G Forbes, Tillyboy, Echt, with ewe lamb out of a Strathbogie-bred gimmer by the 6000gns Strathbogie Kind of Magic bought at the Aberdeen Christmas Classic and from the same flush as Strathbogie’s Royal Highland champion. Tup lamb – Faith Miskelly. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – G Forbes.

Texel (Judge: G Christie) Champion – Jemma Green, Corskie, Garmouth, with two-crop ewe by Glenside Valhalla out of a Milnbank ewe. Reserve inter-breed at Fettercairn and Echt. Reserve – WJ and M Hunter, Culsalmond, Insch, with ewe lamb. Aged tup, ewe lamb – WJ and M Hunter. Shearling tup, ewe, gimmer, tup lamb – Jemma Green.

Any other breed (Judge: R Williams, Huntly) – G Morrison, Bush Farm, Keith, with home-bred Beltex ewe lamb, Muldearie Duchess, by Callacrag Bullet out of home-bred gimmer by Muldearie Blossom. Reserve – WJ and M Hunter with ewe. Tup, gimmer pair – Thomas and Jackson, Lumsden. Ewe, tup lamb – WJ and M Hunter. Gimmer – Lyndsey Brown, Midmar. Lamb – G Morrison.

Cross (Judge: N Barclay) Champion – A Miller, Midmar, with Suffolk cross gimmer by Birness sire and out of Texel cross ewe. Reserve – Sarah Finnie, Newseat, Cuminestown, with Suffolk cross ewe lamb by Leitrim Fine and Dandy and out of Suffolk cross ewe by home-bred tup. Dam reserve at Fettercairn, first at Echt and third at Turriff and Tarland. Prime lambs, ewe – Moir Livestock, Home Farm, Cairness, Fraserburgh. Greyface/Mule ewe lambs – J H Thomson and Son, Strathdon. Gimmer – A Miller. Lamb – Sarah Finnie.

Carcase lambs (Judge: N Barclay). Champion – Katelyn Keir, Glenkindie, Alford. Reserve – D Moir, Home Farm, Cairness, Fraserburgh.

Clydesdale (Judge: Mrs Ann Brown, Nigg). Champion – J Gibb, Shoemakers Croft, Clola, Mintlaw, with seven-year-old gelding, Collessie Full Monty, by Collessie Stepping Stone, out of Sandhill Ellie Mae, overall horse champion at Echt, New Deer and Turriff. Reserve – J Gibb with year-old gelding, Collessie Braveheart, by Arradoul Balvenie, out of Collessie Julia. First at Echt and Turriff. Junior colt, gelding – J Gibb. Filly – N Christie, Fintray.

Highland (Judge: Mrs Sylvia Ormiston, Ballater). Champion – Lynne MacDonald, Mains of Coynach, Tarland, with yearling colt, Islay Malt of Coynach, by Whitefield Prince Platinum out of Pavlova of Whitefield, champion of champions at Angus, champion at the North-east of Scotland Highland Pony Enthusiasts Society show and junior champion at Black Isle. Reserve – Susanne Shepherd, Brachmont, Durris, with 11-year-old gelding, West Lodge Alexander, by Mcleod of Inverdarroch, out of West Lodge Amy, reserve at Banchory, reserve ridden at Aberdeen Spring Highland Pony Show and gelding champion at the Highland and Blair Atholl. Bought as a foal. Gelding – Susanne Shepherd. Mare, yearling, ridden – Lynne MacDonald. Two/three-year-old – Jillian Christie, Inverurie. Young handler – A MacDonald

Shetland (Judge: W McEwan, Kirkton of Skene). Champion – Nina MacDonald-Lewis, Drumnagair Shetland Pony Stud, Methlick, with 10-year-old mare, Lyradale Daisy Duke, by Mormond Superb, out of Cumliebank Jazz, reserve at Grantown and third at Turriff. Overall Shetland champion in competition with miniature champion. Her son, Drumnagair Defiance was junior champion. Reserve – Christine Forbes, Grantown, with stallion, Lynemore Illusion, reserve at New Deer. Stallion and coloured Shetland – Christine Forbes. Mare or gelding and yearling or two year old – Nina MacDonald-Lewis. Mare and foal – Hector and Marie Whyte. Foal – Mr and Mrs Bruce, Brechin. Young handler – Reece MacLeod, Dornoch.

Miniature Shetland (W McEwan). Champion – Ann Irvine, Kininvie, Blackford, Rothienorman, with eight-year-old home-bred stallion, Rocky of Haybrake, by Hazelhead Dynamite, out of Erica of Haybrake, champion at North of Scotland Shetland Pony Show and Spring Show. Reserve – R MacLeod, Dornoch, with mare, Hjaltland Mirta. Stallion, foal – Ann Irvine. Mare/gelding – NS Wilson, Alford. Yearling/two-year-old – M Greaves, Kintore. Mare, coloured – R MacLeod.