Sunshine and spectators shine at Westmorland

From the sheep, the first inter-breed championship for best lowland terminal sire was a one-crop Suffolk ewe from Richard Batty, Endmoor, Cumbria. She was on her first outing, by a Carnforth tup onto one of Richard’s show ewes.

Read more: Westmorland County Show confirms two-day event this September

Reserve in this section was a two-shear Texel ewe from Peter Woof, Kendal, Cumbria.

The Zwartbles champion stood out from the rest among the non-terminal sheep for Pete and Susan Addison’s 41-ewe flock from Barnard Castle, Durham. This gimmer is by Aquila semen and out of Kyberries Elnino. A Bluefaced Leicester shearling ram from John and Karen Ellis, Kendal, Cumbria, clinched the blue and white ticket.

From the first day's upland sheep show, it was a park-type North Country Cheviot that continued her winning ways for Claire Louise, I’Anson, Richmond, N Yorkshire, when securing the inter-breed. Reserve female at the Great Yorkshire, this home-bred gimmer is one of a 20-ewe flock, being sired by a Wandylaw tup.

A close second was a Kerry Hill three-year-old ram from Samantha Brown (18), Darwen, Lancashire.

The second day saw the cattle come to the ring and amongst the beef cattle it was the British Blue winner that took centre stage for Mark and Elaine Hartley, Nelson, Lancashire. Their six-year-old cow, Pendle Knock Em Out, was shown successfully as a calf and her progeny has already sold to 16,000gns at Carlisle in May. This was a first inter-breed win here for the couple. She is in-calf to a Belgium sire, Jalon De Martinpre and is a daughter of Heros Du Peroy out of Pendle E By Gum, a Blue Stone Union Jack daughter.

Thor Atkinson, Ulverston, Cumbria, had a field day picking up three championship and two reserve tickets and it was his Limousin champion, the two-year-old bull, Upperfrrydd Power, that secured the reserve inter-breed.

Male champion at the Great Yorkshire Show this year, this boy was bought in from Carlisle, being a son of Trueman Jagger and out of Foxhill Joslyn.

In the native proceedings, it was the Aberdeen-Angus that clinched the top award and the breed’s national title – the five-year-old cow, Tree Bridge Polly Perkins, from David and Penny Evans, Middlesbrough, Cleveland.

Waving the flag for Scotland was Dumfries-shire breeder, David Cornthwaite, Lockerbie, who bagged the reserve native title with his Galloway, Phoebe of Balgray.

Read more: Westmorland Show: Look out for The Scottish Farmer's team

The dairy inter-breed saw the Holstein second calver, Feizor Solmon Lasenza, from David and William Booth, Lancaster, land the top spot. She is a Solmon daughter, out of a Winbrook Lasenza dam and is giving 50l being VG89.

Settling for the blue and white ticket was the 2018-born Ayrshire heifer, Sanderson Champ Miss Modern, from David and Christine Sanderson, based at Wigton, Cumbria.

This home-bred heifer last calved in July and is a Sanderson Champ daughter, out of Sanderson SS Miss Modern.

Sheep

Beltex

Local breeders, Mark and Ellie Jennings, Kendal, continued their winning spree having won the championship twice before for their 50-ewe flock. It was a shearling ram that clinched the championship after winning at various shows this year. He is by Clary Desperado and out of a Lamington ewe.

Their reserve was a home-bred three-shear ewe, being the result of the Hallcrake Colonel tup over their previous show ewe.

Blackface

A gimmer on her first outing secured the championship for Ruth Mary and David Guy, Warwick Wood, Richmond. This gimmer is a daughter of Greenlaton Paxton and out of a home-bred ewe.

Reserve was a ewe lamb from Giles Sharp, Penrith, Cumbria.

Bleu du Maine

A four-year-old ewe took the championship for Jonathan Stables, Durham, who runs 38 ewes in his Dunelm flock. She is by Rumwell Jonas, out of Dunelm Newel and was on her first outing.

The same home took reserve with a home-bred gimmer backed by home-bred genetics on both sides.

Bluefaced Leicester

Another duo to take the double in their breed was John and Karen Ellis, Kendal, Cumbria, with a shearling ram and gimmer, respectively.

From a flock of just 15 ewes, their home-bred shearling is by Nunscleugh H4 and out of a Tanhouse sired-dam. The reserve was a daughter of an Old Hemley sire out of a home-bred dam by Midlock F4.

Blue Texel

Young Matthew Benson (13), Ulverston, Cumbria, cleaned up in the Blue Texels with his 30-ewe flock.

His home-bred gimmer, Mewstone Everglade, was given the winning tap out in the championship on her first outing. She is a Farmmill Blues David daughter and bred from a home-bred ewe.

This ewe lamb's sire took reserve honours. He's a two-shear which was bought at Carlisle for 1100gns in 2019. He is by Solway View Barney.

Border Leicester

Scots were back in action in this ring, with Allan Grant and partner, Ann, from Kilkenny, Fife, who took both champion and reserve.

The shearling ram, Ben Roy Ben, was extra special as he sold to Sarah Miles, Ulverston, Cumbria, at the show. Being brought out by Elliot Stockdale, he is by Knockglass Krypton Knight and out of a home-bred ewe that stood second in her class.

A bought-in Didcot gimmer secured the blue and white ticket, having been bought in as a ewe lamb for 700gns at Lanark.

Charollais

Lancashire's Robert Towers, Carnforth, secured the top spot with a bought in gimmer from the Sercombe flock, Worcester.

Having previously stood inter-breed champion at Wensleydale this year, she is now in lamb to the 5000gns Thackwood Victor, which stood reserve champion.

This shearling was bought at Worcester from Jonathan Wales.

Coloured Ryeland

Father and son duo, Joanne Fisher and Malcolm Hoggarth from Carlisle, Cumbria, landed the championship with the two-shear ram, Green Lee Zombie.

Part of their 120-ewe flock, he is by Stardust Xanthos out of a home-bred ewe.

Home-bred genetics also backed the reserve, a ewe lamb from the same home.

Dutch Spotted

Scottish breeders, Andrew and Pam Parker's Lochlad flock, Lochmaben, scored a double in a strong Dutch Spotted section.

Champion was Lochlad Dimonda, a gimmer backed by imported breeding, being sired by BaaBoom, which was imported as a lamb in 2018 and out of Amethyst.

The ewe lamb, Lochlad Ellie, was runner-up – she is sired by the imported Avalanche and out of the imported dam, Bethany. Her half-brother, Lochlad Dictator sold this year for 8000gns.

Hampshire Down

This was another double for Judith and Graham Galbraith, Kendal, when their gimmer and ewe lamb triumphed for their 35-ewe flock.

The home-bred gimmer that took the top spot was by Greylen Laser, out of a bought in Kelsey dam, and was female champion at the Great Yorkshire this year.

A ewe lamb with the highest index in the country secured the blue and white ticket. She's by Wilstop Legend.

Herdwick

Anthony Hartley, who runs 1000 ewes at Broughton-in-Furness, Cumbria, also had champion and reserve.

Winner was a home-bred ewe lamb on her first outing which is backed by home-bred genetics on both sides.

Getting reserve was another home-bred shearling ram backed by home-bred sires.

Hebridean

Winning here was a home-bred gimmer, Newbridge Gail, from Larry Cowper’s 30-ewe flock from Keswick. On her first outing, she was by Cottage Farm Fescue out of Newbridge Erin.

Spartan Wood Eroica landed the blue and white ticket for Nick and Ann, Fecitt, Kendal, for their 130-ewe flock. This four-shear ewe was champion at the Great Yorkshire this year, being sired by Ripplepark Euncie and out of Brightspark Tomich.

Jacob

A two-crop ewe was given the winning tap for Emma Wilson, Seascale, Cumbria, for her 18-ewe flock. This ewe was bought in as a ewe lamb at St Boswells from the Blackadder flock for 600gns, and was by Pentrenant Louis.

Local breeders, Chris and Emily Maudsley, Kendal, secured reserve with their home-bred gimmer from their 15-ewe Escrigg flock. She is the result of a home-bred ewe onto a Hope Flash Lad sire.

Kerry Hill

Samantha Brown (18), Darwen, Lancashire, got her hands on the main trophy with her three-year-old home-bred ram. Having previously been breed champion at Berry, he is by a Ladywood tup and out of a Dodfort ewe.

A three-shear ewe from Rachel Hewitt, Penrith, Cumbria, came in just behind, being backed by home-bred genetics on both sides.

Lleyn

A gimmer on her first outing was supreme for Charles Geldard, Levens, Cumbria. Brought out by nephew, George (15), she's part of a 1000-ewe flock.

Second to the champion in her class went on to take reserve for father and son duo, John and James Dugdale, along with their respective partners, Ruth and Amy, from Settle, North Yorkshire. This home-bred gimmer is by a Lagafarm sire.

Mule

Philip Elliott, Penrith, Cumbria, secured the top two spots with North of England ewes. Champion was a four-crop ewe, which is used to the limelight having previously bagged the championship here three years ago before taking the overall lowland inter-breed as well as being reserve honours at the Royal Highland Show three years on the trot – 2017, 2018 and 2019. She is by Highberries H2 and was bred by the Reed family, Lands Farm, West Gate.

Reserve was another by the same sire – a two-shear ewe that was champion ewe lamb at LiveScot in 2019.

NCC hill

In the first time of having a hill type section proved a success for Jim Campbell, Carlisle, and his gimmer which was on her first outing. Running with 400 ewes, this one is by Hethpool Tower, a sire bought at Dingwall and out of a Kelsocleugh ewe which was bought in-lamb at Lockerbie three years ago.

A three-shear ram from father and son duo, Peter and Tom Iredale, Patterdale, also caught the eye when it was tapped out reserve. He was bought-in last year for 4000gns at Lockerbie from Kelsocleugh and was used at home this past breeding season.

NCC park

The reserve female from the Great Yorkshire won here for Claire Louise, I’Anson, Richmond, North Yorkshire. This home-bred gimmer is from a 20-ewe flock, being sired by a Wandylaw tup and out of a home-bred dam.

Settling for reserve was the three-shear ram, Philiphaugh Xerox, from Allan Grant and partner, Ann, from Kilkenny, Fife. A class winner from the Great Yorkshire, he was bought in as a shearling at Lockerbie for 2200gns from Alan Cowens, Philiphaugh, Selkirk, and is by an Allanshaw ram and out of a Philliphaugh ewe.

Poll Dorset

Running 230 Dorsets, Catherine and Brian Muncaster, Thornbank Farms, Seascale, took home the top two tickets here.

Star attraction was a three-year-old ewe on her first outing. She is backed by a Poorton tup over a home-bred ewe and was ahead of a home-bred gimmer, by a Sandylane tup.

Ryeland

Scottish breeders were at the top of the tree here when Susan and Robin Bryden, Lockerbie, secured both champion and reserve.

Leading the way was a ewe lamb backed by home-bred genetics from their 12-ewe Broomwell flock. She is by Broomwell Wallender, a multi-champion at the Royal Highland Show, winning in 2017 and 2018, and out of Broomwell Eton. Reserve was her twin brother.

Shetland

Wadley Ocraquoy made her mark for Philip and Amy Cowan, Co Durham, when receiving the top award in this section.

This gimmer is by the national show champion in 2019, Todhill Cragenmore, and out of one of 30 home-bred ewes in the flock.

A ram lamb from Julia and Barry Watson, Holmrook, Cumbria, who run 120 ewes with half being kept pure and the remaining used for crossing in the flock, secured reserve. This boy is by Meneluas of Spalford and out of a Muncaster dam.

Swaledale

A two-shear ram from Arnold Lancaster, Coniston, Cumbria, won here.

Reserve was a two-shear ram that is jointly owned by Matthew Staley, kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, and John Gorst, Quernmore, being bought in from Hawes for 4000gns last year from Mark Eubank – with his first crop of lambs already looking promising.

He is by the 16,000gns Grayrigg Hall Hut 1.

Suffolk

Richard Batty, Endmoor, Cumbria, landed both the champion and reserve honours for his 15 ewe-flock.

Winner was a one-crop ewe on her first outing. She's by a Carnforth tup onto one of Richard’s show ewes.

A home-bred shearling ram was tapped out reserve and he's backed by home-bred genetics on both sides.

Texel

Double victories continued, when Peter Woof, from Kendal, landing the main honours.

Top was a two-shear ewe, on her first outing, being a daughter of Auldhouseburn Bold, which has bred a lot of strong females and tups in the flock, and bred out of a home-bred ewe.

Settling for reserve was a Craig Douglas Dancer-sired ewe lamb, out of a dam by Auldhouseburn Bold.

Zwartbles

A gimmer from Pete and Susan Addison’s 41-ewe flock based at Barnard Castle, Durham, starred here. She is by Aquila semen and out of Kyberries Elnino.

Waving the flag for Scotland was Barmurrie Jo Jo, a ewe lamb from Gillian Smith, Balmaclellan, Castle Douglas, which was reserve. Part of Gillian’s 40-ewe flock, she is backed by home-bred genetics on both sides, being sired by Barmurrie Fred and out of Barmurrie Bora Bora.

Dairy cattle

Ayrshire

Sanderson Champ Miss Modern lived up to her name for David and Christine Sanderson, from Wigton, Cumbria.

This 2019-born home-bred heifer calved in July, being sired by Sanderson Champ and out of Sanderson SS Miss Modern, and is now giving 28 litres.

Scottish breeders, Roger and Bill Lindsay, from Lanark, brought the blue and white ticket back to Scotland with their fifth calver, Harperfield Sandy Rose.

Having previously won Dumfries in 2019 and reserve at the Great Yorkshire in 2018, she is now giving 40 litres having last calved in February and is rated Ex93. She is by Harperfield Coral Reef and out of Barr Sandy Rose 56, which won Dairy Day in 2015.

Dairy Shorthorn

The third calver, Moorriggs Starbud 6, from Caroline and Phil Armstrong, Penrith, Cumbria, landed the championship among the Dairy Shorthorns.

Having calved in December, she is now producing 28 litres a day and is classified Ex91.

She is a daughter of Windbrooks Spike 2 and out of the show cow, Moorriggs Starbud VG88, which the family has done very well for the herd over the years.

It was Strickley Goldie 251 that had to settle for reserve for Robert and James Robinson’s 90-cow herd based at Kendal, Cumbria. This second calver last calved in May and is now giving 30 litres being VG87. She is by the home-bred bull, Strickley Bernie and out of one of the most consistent families in the herd.

Holstein

Making a strong start to her show career was the second calver, Feizor Solmon Lasenza, from David and William Booth, Lancaster, being on her first outing and set to take on AgriScot next year. She is a Solmon daughter, out of a Winbrook Lasenza dam and is giving 50 litres being VG89.

Second in the young cow class to the champion, Bilsrow Chamber Fleury, from James and Eleanor Tomlinson, Preston, was reserve. She is the result of the Materest Chamber sire over a Les Fleury dam, which was sold as an in-calf heifer, and is now giving 50 litres and is rated VG89.

Jersey

Securing both the champion and reserve tickets were Deb and Jeoff Pye, daughter, Sarah and son, Matt, from Carnforth, Lancs.

This 2019-born heifer calved in March, being sired by St-Lo-Nue, and out of the Ex90 dam, Bayview Flash Skip, was on her first outing and is now giving 23 litres, being VG86 herself.

The second calver, Bayview Victorious Design 19, was reserve. Having calved in February, she is now giving 24 litres and is VG88. She's a daughter of Rivervalley Victorious and out of Bayview Phantom Design EX94.

Beef

Aberdeen-Angus

The Aberdeen-Angus 'National' attracted breeders from all over the country, but it was Tree Bridge Polly Perkins, from David and Penny Evans, from Middlesbrough, Cleveland, that led proceedings.

Their 2016-born cow was paraded with her three-month-old bull calf, Tree Bridge Preston, at foot. The calf is by Abberton Dazzle, while she is by the Genus bull, Oakchurch Evil and out of the show cow, Tree Bridge Polly Perkins J241. Previously, she stood female champion at the winter national in 2017 and took champion at Stokesley Show three years on the trot.

Male champion and reserve overall was Richard and Carol Rettie, from Perth, showing the yearling bull, Retties Lord Edwin, by Duncanziemere Edwin and out of Wall Lady Ruth – the dam of the 2016 Royal Highland Show champion.

A full brother to this young bull has been retained, with two others having been sold privately for £9500 and £9000. Although he was on his first outing, he is now destined for the various calf shows and winter shows this backend.

Reserve female was the 2½-year-old female, Rulesmains Priceless V183, from father and daughter duo, Andrew and Emma Hodge, Duns, Berwickshire. She is by Rawburn Braw Lad, out of Peter Pershore and is set for the calf shows this winter.

The blue and white ticket among the males went to the 2019-born Cheerbrook Profit V138, from Owen Tunney's Morpheus herd based at Cuddington, Cheshire. This bull was bought at Andrew Shufflebotham’s dispersal in October, 2019, being sired by Rawburn Jackson Eric and out of Fernihill Pammy.

Beef Shorthorn

It was a cow and calf outfit from Stuart and Gail Currie, Settle, N Yorkshire, that led the way. This was a three-year-old cow, Beautry Shuna Myrtle, is sired by Poyntington Himself, out of Beautry Jodine, and won the Beef Expo at Carlisle as a calf. Her January-born bull calf at foot was Beautry Shauna Rhubarb, a son of Highlee Milo.

Elliot Surprise and her bull calf, Melview Springtime, from Paul Westway, Melview Farming, Glos, landed the reserve honours. The six-year-old cow is by HW Swagger and out of a Canadian Embryo, having been bought at Stirling as a calf from John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains. The calf at foot is a Tofts Pennsylvania son.

British Blue

Leading here was the six-year-old cow, Pendle Knock Em Out from Mark and Elaine Hartley, Nelson, Lancashire.

She is in-calf to a Belgium sire, Jalon De Martinpre and is a daughter of Heros Du Peroy out of Pendle E By Gum, a Blue Stone Union Jack daughter. She was shown successfully as a calf and her progeny has sold to 16,000gns at Carlisle in May.

Having just four breeding females in his herd didn’t stop Thor Atkinson securing reserve with Arradfoot Petra, a January, 2020-born embryo heifer calf by Langoureux De Fooz out of Croftends Khole. She has always settled for the blue and white ticket this year when securing the same award at the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire shows.

Charolais

Thor Atkinson, Ulverston, Cumbria, continued on his winning ways and secured the double among the Charolais.

His champion was the November, 2019-born heifer, Arradfoot Penny. She is a Arradfoot Nixon daughter and out of Arradfoot Malibu, which goes back to Heracles M.

The yearling heifer, Tophill Roxanne, added another rosette to the kist for Mr Atikinson. She was bought in February, at Stirling, for 4500gns from Andrew Stott, and is a daughter of Hackleton Lagerlout out of Hackleton Hetty.

Commercial cattle

A Scottish-bred heifer secured the top spot for Jack Blackshaw and Rose Foster, Bakewell, Derbyshire.

This April, 2020-born heifer, Ruby Red, was bought privately from Brian Harper, Greenwells, and is now set for the winter shows. She is by a Limousin sire and out of a British Blue cross dam.

The Limousin cross bullock, Dexi, got the tap out for reserve for Mike and Silvia Rowlands, Llanidloes, Powys. He was purchased privately and was brought out by Steven O’Kane.

Hereford

Impressing the crowds in this strong line-up was the three-year-old bull, Coley 1 Pilot, from Graham and Maria Shepherd, Preston, Lancs. He was bought in from Shrewsbury, in 2018, for 13,000gns from Heather Whittaker, Halifax, being a result of Coley 1 Maverick onto Romany 1 Ishbel. He has won 36 championships, including at the Royal Highland in 2018.

Tom and Di Harrison, Northumberland, produced the reserve champion, the two-year-old heifer, Moralee 1 Pippa, by SMH Kingsize and out of Coley 1 Pippa – a cow which was champion at the Highland in 2017. She was also female champion at the Highland, Great Yorkshire and Devon shows this year, and is in-calf to Oakvale 1 Standout.

Highland

The 2018-born heifer, Gruagach 2 of Caradog, took the top spot for Welsh breeders, Rhian Thomas and family, Pencader, Carmarthenshire.

An Archie 2 of Chadwich daughter out of Gruagach of Balnabroich, this home-bred heifer is in-calf to Fergus Rhuadh 5 of Knockendon.

Sineag Dubh of Seam secured reserve for Simon and Emma Haley, Eggleston, Co Durham, having taken the same award at the Great Yorkshire earlier this year. This two-year-old is a daughter of Proiseil Dubh of Armun, and out of Sineag Dubh 3 of Brunilla, an import from Fonland. She was brought in with her dam from Rikka Palonean.

Limousin

The male champion at the Great Yorkshire from Thor Atkinson, secured the title. The two-year-old bull, Upperfrrydd Power, was bought at Carlisle, being a son of Trueman Jagger and out of Foxhill Joslyn.

Young Oliver Armistead (7), from Sinkfall, Cumbria, brought out his June-born heifer calf, Rakesmoor Saphire, for the first time to be reserve overall. This heifer is sired by Goldies Gold Finger and out of a Scorboro Lovely dam.

Simmental

The in-calf five-year-old cow, Blackpool Hosanna, stood champion for Christine and David Loftus, who run 120 cows at Blackpool. She is a daughter of Blackpool Ely, out of the home-bred cow, Bessy and adding to her future potential she is due a calf in September to Woodhall Ferrari.

AO Continental

Adding to a tremendous show for Thor Atkinson, was win her with a British Blonde. This was Blackwater Maple, a daughter of Blackwater Heston, out of Blackwater April, which was shown with her heifer calf at foot, Santana, which is by Newland Orlando. This five-year-old cow has been unbeaten in her breed through the show season, having bagged both the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire title.

Reserve from the same home was an ET-born January calf, Newland Sahara, which was the result of Budore Utah over Hackleton Vixen, a cow which goes back to Brownhill Oswald.

AO Native

David Cornthwaite, Lockerbie, was awarded the champion sash for his Galloway female, Phoebe of Balgray.

Having previously been junior champion at both the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire this year, this two-year-old heifer is by Troloss Impeccable, which has bred bulls to 16,000gns.

Richard and Carol Rettie brought out the reserve champion for Andrew Mylius, Newport on Tay, Fife. This was the Lincoln Red two-year-old bull, St Ford Yeovil.

A son of Walmer Troy, a privately bought sire which has had a huge influence in the herd since arriving four years ago, out of St Fort Unity, he has already been winning on the show circuit, securing the champion at the Royal Highland, male champion at the Great Yorkshire and will be sold this year at Stirling.