Connie Wishart’s light horse leads the field as Peebles

Champion of champions judge, Gordon Gray, Selkirk, had the difficult task of selecting a supreme from a strong line up of inter-breed and champion winners. He gave the winning slap to the light horse champion, Givoly Z, from Connie Wishart. The former event horse has competed successfully all season, showing a real aptitude for working hunter classes.

Mr Gray found his reserve in the inter-breed sheep champion, a two-crop Bluefaced Leicester ewe from Finlay Robertson’s Beeches flock from Crosswoodhill, West Calder. His crossing-type ewe is by an R2 Hewgill, purchased at Hawes, and bred from Hewgill Adele.

The commercial and inter-breed beef champion from Jessie MacDougall (Image: Ron Stephen Photography)

The inter-breed cattle champion was the 14-month-old Limousin cross heifer, Arabella, from Jessie MacDougall, Greenloaning. Sired by Nobel Magic and out of a Limousin cross dam, she was first at the Royal Highland Show and junior inter-breed champion at Perth.

Also forward was the Clydesdale champion, a yearling colt from Annette and Ailsa Noble, Peggyslea, Penicuik. Drumbuick Kash, sired by Willow Way Swiper and out of Aird Georgina, was male champion at Lesmahagow Show.

LEADING awards:

Young handlers (Judge: P Halhead) – Under 14yrs – 1, Emma Brown; 2, Sophie Brown; 3, Lily Dow. Young stockperson under 30yrs – 1, Jessie MacDougall; 2, Lucy Sanderson; 3, Payton Edgar; 4, Myles Harrison.

The Brown's Charolais champion, Kinclune Allison (Image: Ron Stephen Photography)

Highland cattle (Judge: A Garton). Champion – Caroline Cuthbertson, Peebles with the four-year-old cow, Gillian 2 of Luruha, by Cameron of Sguir Mor and out of Gillian 3 of Blairlogan. She was purchased from Ewen Macmillan, Lurg, Fintry. Reserve – G Hyslop, Crawfordjohn, with Calin of Black Glen, a three-year-old home-bred heifer by Eoin Mhor 30 of Mottistone and out of Carlin 5 of Culfoich. First at Biggar. Bull, intermediate heifer – DR Dickson. Cow, junior heifer – C Cuthbertson. Senior heifer – G Hyslop. Pair – K Sanderson.

Charolais (Judge: D McLean). Champion – J and S Brown, Broughton with the 14-month-old heifer, Kinclune Allison, sired by Goldies Rocky and out of Kinclune Stacey. First outing. Reserve – J and E Wight, Townfoot, Symington with the November 2024 born bull, Midlock Vagabond, sired by Kelton Trident. Bull – J and E Wight. Senior and junior heifer – J and S Brown.

The Limousin and reserve inter-breed champion from Ian Nimmo (Image: Ron Stephen Photography)

Limousin (Judge: R Rettie). Champion and reserve cattle inter-breed – I Nimmo, Newmains, with Maraiscote Voxanne, a daughter of Morhan Peter and out of Maraiscote Roxanne. Fourth at the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire shows. Sole entry.

Simmental (Judge: D McLean). Champion and reserve – G Brown with the five-year-old cow, Islavale Liquorice by Ranfurly Confederate and out of Islavale Ebony which was champion here last year. Reserve was Bighill Plato, a four-year-old bull owned in partnership with the Goldie family, Newbie Mains. All classes – G Brown.

Gavin Browns Simmental champion (Image: Ron Stephen Photography)

British Blue (Judge: Jean McKay). Champion – D Davidson and Ellie Wood, Whitehaugh, Peebles, with the home-bred, February 2025-born heifer, Dunc’s Vicanto, sired by Topside Joey and bred from Blackstane Jadore. Fourth at the Royal Highland. Reserve – R Nelson, Crossgates, with the two-year-old bull, Land High Ultra Sonic, by Littlewood Ontario and bred from Springhill Nora. Champion at Kinross and male champion at Perth. Bull – R Nelson. Heifer – D Davidson.

Any other native beef (Judge: R Rettie). Champion – Alyson Henderson, Fernielea, Carnwath, with the three-year-old Shorthorn heifer, Fernielea Tiffany, a daughter of Chapelton Typhoon, out of Miltonlockart Princess. Champion at Lesmahagow and Biggar, 2025 and reserve champion at Carnwath last month. Reserve – Lisa Fleming, Falnash, Teviothead, with the three-year-old Aberdeen Angus bull, Gretnahouse Egbert, bought at the herd dispersal for 10,000gns. Sired by Rodmead Primero, and out of Gretnahouse Eliza, champion at Kelso. Bull – L Fleming. Cow – I Watson. Senior heifer, junior heifer – A Henderson. Pair – D and I Watret.

Duncan Davidson and Ellie Wood's British Blue winner (Image: Ron Stephen Photography)

Peebleshire JAC calf – 1 and champion, Archie Smellie; 2 and reserve, Liam Irvine; 3, Myles Harrison. Haltered calf – 1, Myles Harrison; 2, Archie Smellie; 3, Liam Irvine. Best calf turnout – 1, Archie Smellie; 2, Liam Irvine; 3, Myles Harrison.

Commercial (Judge: A Ireland). Champion, and inter-breed cattle – Jessie MacDougall, with the 14-month-old Limousin cross heifer, Arabella. Sired by Nobel Magic and out of a Limousin cross dam, she was first at the Royal Highland and junior inter-breed champion at Perth. Reserve – C Armstrong, Dunsyre Mains, Biggar, with the yearling Limousin cross British Blue bullock, Chappell Roan, purchased at Thainstone and bred by Melissa Buchan. He was champion at Biggar, and reserve at Carnwath. Steer – C Armstrong. Heifer – J MacDougall. Suckled steer calf, cow and calf – J and S Brown. Suckled heifer calf – B McSporran.

The young handlers champion from Emma Brown (Image: Ron Stephen Photography)

On farm commercial – Reserve champion, group of three cows with continental cross calves – Kailsie. Group of three cows with native cross calves – Bonnington. Champion, group of three heifers with cross-bred calves – Posso. Pure-bred bull – Cambwell. Pair of in-calf heifers – Cloverhill. Pair of bulling heifers – Dreva.

Blackface (Judge: S McClymont). Champion – WH Sharp and Son, Longcroft, Lauder with a one-crop ewe by a £36,000 Dalchirla and bred from a ewe by a £14,000 Pole. Brought out by shepherd Peter Lothian, she was inter-breed champion at Ellemford last year. Reserve – Burncastle Farms with a tup lamb brought out by shepherd, James Brady. He is sired by a £16,000 Milnmark and out of a £28,000 Happrew-sired dam. Tup, group, confined group – A Kennedy. Shearling, tup lamb, ewe lamb – Burncastle. Ewe – WH Sharp. Gimmer – JP Campbell.

Champion Blackface from Longcroft (Image: Web)

South Country Cheviot (Judge: Morag Cockburn). Champion – WJ Douglas, Upper Hindhope with a two-crop ewe shown by farm manager Callum Caskie. Sired by Kale Anthem and out a home-bred ewe, she was champion at Kelso. Reserve – W Douglas, Catslackurn, with a two-crop ewe sired by Skelfhill Superior and out of a home-bred dam. First outing. Tup – J Paton. Shearling, tup lamb, pair, three ewe lambs – W Douglas. Ewe – WJ Douglas. Gimmer – S Weir. Ewe lamb, wooled male or female – C Hume. Group of three ewe lambs – J Paton.

Champion hill-type Cheviot from Whitehope (Image: Ron Stephen)

North Country Cheviot hill-type (Judge: R Rennie). Champion and reserve – WN Douglas, Whitehope, with a home-bred, three-crop ewe sired by Badanloch Va Va Voom. She was champion here last year. Runner-up was a previously unshown gimmer by the same sire. Tup – WJ Thomson. Shearling, ewe, gimmer, group – WN Douglas. Tup lamb, pair tup lambs – J and J Campbell. Ewe lamb – G Irving. Group ewe lambs – CM Reid. Wooled male or female – H Brown.

North Country Cheviot park-type (Judge: G Graham). Champion and reserve – W and J Thomson, Hownam Grange, with the two-crop ewe, Hownam Grange Peony, sired by Knockocher Bodyguard and out of a home-bred ewe. Champion of champions here last year. Runner-up was a two-shear tup bred at North Synton, by a Kilvaddie tup and out of North Synton ewe. Tup, tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, group – W and J Thomosn. Shearling – A Pate. Pair tup lambs – S Anderson. Ewe lamb – K Turnbull. Three ewe lambs – G Dun.

Park-type North Country Cheviot champion from Hownam Grange (Image: Ron Stephen Photography)

Suffolk MV accredited (Judge: A Grieve). Champion – A and Leisa Warden, Skelfhill, with a gimmer by Rowelstone Ronald, purchased at Builth Wells three years ago. She is out of a Nettlingflat-sired home-bred ewe, and on her first outing. Reserve – A Sinclair, Lothianburn, with a tup lamb, by Springfield tup bought at Kelso. His mother is sired by a Roxburgh Mains-bred ram. Tup, wool – G Brown. Tup lamb, ewe lamb – A Sinclair. Ewe, gimmer, group – A and L Warden.

Suffolk non-MV (Judge: A Grieve). Champion – B McSporran, Ross Farms, with a shearling sired by a tup sold for £3400 at Kelso last year to Stuart Robson, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve at Dalkeith and first at Haddington. Reserve – A Smellie, Posso, with a home-bred gimmer by a Bowdsen Moor sire and out of a home-bred dam. First outing. Tup – G Renwick. Shearling, wool – B McSporran. Tup lamb – N Sandilands. Ewe, gimmer, group – A Smellie. Ewe lamb – W Pate.

The MV Suffolk champion from the Wardens at Skelfhill (Image: Ron Stephen Photography)

Bluefaced Leicester traditional type (Judge: A Adams). Champion – A McClymont, Kirkstead, with a tup lamb by a £22,000 Glamis tup out of a £4000 Blacket House-sired ewe. First at Biggar, and the Border Union. Reserve – Lisa Fleming, Falnash with a gimmer by Whinneyhall T2 out of Falnash Foxy. She was first at the Royal Highland and Border Union. Tup lamb – A McClymont. Tup – K Campbell. Shearling, group – RJ Claydon. Gimmer – L Fleming.

Bluefaced Leicester crossing type (Judge: T Willowby). Champion and inter-breed sheep – F Robertson, Crosswoodhill, with a two-crop ewe by an R2 Hewgill purchased at Hawes and bred from Hewgill Adele. Reserve – J Bell, Burniehall, with a gimmer by T2 Drummuck and out of a ewe purchased as a hogg from Ewan Rees. She was champion at Penrith Progeny Show. Tup – N Raeburn. Shearling, ewe lamb – J Warnock. Tup lamb, gimmer, group, progeny group – J Bell. Ewe – F Robertson.

Scotch Mule (Judge: D Stewart). Champion – F Robertson with a previously unshown gimmer by a home-bred tup sold at Kelso last year. Reserve – S Fallows, with a ewe lamb by an S4 Temain and out of a gimmer bought at Castle Douglas. Ewe, gimmer – F Robertson. Ewe lamb – S Fallows. Pen of three – C Dick.

Robert Laird's MV Texel and reserve inter-breed champion (Image: Ron Stephen Photography)

Texel MV accredited (Judge: K Watson). Champion, reserve and reserve inter-breed – R Laird, Cambwell, with a two-shear tup by a Collielaw ram and out of dam by a Mitchellhill tup. He was bred at Wester Walston and bought at Kelso last year in partnership with Malcolm Coubrough, Hartside. Champion at Border Union last year. The reserve was a previously unshown tup lamb by Deveronvale Fasttrack and out a home-bred ewe. Tup, tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, group – R Laird. Shearling, ewe lamb – B McSporran

Texel non-MV accredited (Judge: K Watson). Champion – J Irving, Mount Benger, with a one-crop Midlock-bred ewe bought at Carlisle for 900gns last year. She is sired by Midlock Fury. Reserve – A Smellie, with a one-crop ewe by a Cambwell sire. Tup – N Pate. Shearling, tup lamb, gimmer – A Smellie. Ewe, ewe lamb – G Irving.

Beltex MV accredited (Judge: D Padkin). Champion – T and A Taylor, Heatheryhall, with the aged tup, Callacrag Jumbo, by Wannops Firecracker and out of Callacrag Felipa. He was reserve at Biggar and first at the National Beltex show at Border Union and champion of champions at Carnwath last summer. Reserve – R Wood, Kingledores, with the tup lamb, Kingledores Mighty Max, sired by Lurg Lenny. Previously unshown he is bred from Faughhill J-Low which was bought at the Beltex Beauties sale at Carlisle. Tup, ewe – T and A Taylor. Shearling – N Laing. Tup lamb, gimmer, group – R wood. Ewe lamb –A Dunlop.

The Beltex champion from the Taylor family, Heatheryhall (Image: Ron Stephen Photography)

Dutch Spotted (Judge: M Simpson). Champion and reserve – A and J Guthrie, Myreside, Selkirk with the one-shear tup, Myreside Eggie, by Cnwch Hymac and out of Myreside Gerrie. Reserve champion at Kelso. Myreside Jasmine, a ewe lamb by Doonans Invincible was reserve. She is bred from Myreside Gemma and was second at Kelso. All classes – A and J Guthrie.

Any other breed MV accredited (Judge: D Padkin). Champion – A Playfair, Kaimknowe with a Border Leicester ewe by Lyhan V54 which was bought as a ewe lamb at Carlisle. She was reserve at the Border Union. Reserve – Joanna Forster, Chapel Farm, with the Blue Texel ewe lamb Chapel Blue Lilliesleaf, by Orari Kaboom. Out of Chapel Blue Joy, she was first at the Border Union. Ewe, gimmer, group – A Playfair. Ewe lamb– J Forster.

Hebridean (Judge: L Cowper). Champion – J Mosely, Bryland, with the shearling, Bryland Quirrill, by Goosetrack Kevan and out of Bryland Nalah. Reserve at the Border Union. Reserve – J Keefe with a gimmer. Tup, ewe lamb – J James. Shearling, tup lamb, ewe, group – J Mosley. Gimmer – J Keefe.

Alex Playfair's Border Leicester took any other breed champion (Image: Ron Stephen Photography)

Shetland (Judge: Kate Sharp). Champion – D Alcorn, Annavale Whites and G Ingram, Biggarburn with the two-shear coloured tup, Bruchley Edward by the £1000 Wadley Magnus and out of Bruchley Emma. He was bought privately from Claire Bailley. Reserve – M Runciman with a grey aged ewe, Eastmains Angelica, sired by Menelaus of Stalford and out of Kaimknowe Midnight Geranium. Champion white – M Runciman with the two-shear tup Cronklea Hero, by Cronklea Jeeves and out of Cronklea Margo. Reserve – D Alcorn and G Ingram, with the gimmer, Annavale Ianthe, sired by Island Ollie and out of a home-bred ewe. Champion at Kinross and the Border Union and reserve at Stirling and Biggar. White – tup – M Runciman. Tup lamb, ewe lamb – J Steven. Gimmer – D Alcorn and G Ingram. Coloured – tup, tup lamb, gimmer – D Alcorn and G Ingram. Ewe – M Runciman. Fleeces on the hoof – best male, best lamb – D Alcorn and G Ingram. Best female – M Runciman

Any other breed non-MV (Judge: I Dickson). Champion – J Goldie, Collielaw, Lauder with a home-bred, two-crop Beltex ewe by a Brickrow and out of a Lintibert dam. Champion at Dalrymple, Straiton and Kelso shows. Reserve and best opposite sex – Eilidh Dick with a Kerryhill tup lamb by Topspot Enderman and out of a Woodhouse dam. Adult male – K Irving. Male lamb, female lamb – E Dick. Adult female – J Goldie.

Commercial (Judge: D Murray). 1 and champion – J Goldie with a pen of three heavy lambs. Pen of three lightweight continental or cross lambs, cross ewe nursing lambs, pair of cross-bred gimmers – Carolann Barrie. Three down breed or cross lambs – A Smellie. Three hill-bred wedder lambs – F Frame. Commercial lamb – Morgan Reynolds.

Peebles JAC sheep classes – Champion – N Pate with a pair of prime lambs under 82kgs.

Fleece potted (Judge: D Swinton). Champion – J Morrison. Reserve – Denise Palmer.

On farm sheep classes – Champion – A Barr. Reserve – A Smellie.

Shepherd’s sticks (Judge: R Russell). Champion – B Frizell. Reserve – I Paterson. Walking stick plain wood, one piece or fancy, walking stick plain or horn head, neck crook, lambing stick, plain horn head or fancy – I Paterson. Walking stick plain wood head, two piece, walking stick fancy Woodhead, traditional/ornamental, walking stick, neck crook lambing stick, plain or fancy, one or two piece, stick of any other style or material, leg Cleek wood or horn – B Frissel. Walking stick fancy horned, traditional/ornamental – J Bryce. Novice crook or stick plain or fancy, wood head/horn head – S Marshall. Thumb stick wood or horn – M Playfair.