Aberdeenshire producers dominate Angus Show

For young Aileen Ritchie there were some huge celebrations, as the event staged just outside Brechin, produced a first ever home-bred championship win for her 12-cow pedigree Limousin herd from Tamala, Whitecairns. Having already won the supreme beef honours at Angus Show with Emslies Ieyrl in 2014, it was the turn of her two-year-old daughter, Ritchies Meyrl, by the French sire, Sympa, to lift the big one when selected by the various breed judges on a points basis.

There was also a roll over win amongst the inter-breed teams, when Huntly-based commercial cattle enthusiasts, Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart won their second consecutive inter-breed group of three and pairs contests. The duo first scooped the top trio accolade with two Newton of Logierait-bred Limousin cross heifers to include Baby Jane and Shaniqua and Buster, a Drumnaglass-bred Limousin cross stot. The latter two made up the inter-bred pair.

Simmentals stood next in line with a trio from Gerald and Morag Smith and son Dougie, Drumsleed, taking the reserve, while two young bulls from Heather Duff, Pitmudie, notched up the runner up pairs.

Young Abbie Anderson who runs a handful of pedigree Charolais in her Rutherston herd alongside her parents’ Panmure herd based at Arbroath, also had plenty to celebrate when her Edenhurst Jou Jou, picked up the reserve individual beef championship. Reserve junior at the Highland in 2016, this rising four-year-old by Ratoary Ferguson, was paraded with November-born heifer calf at foot.

Gregor, Bruce and Amy Ingram, Logie Durno, Pitcaple, Inverurie, were back to claim the silverware in the busy sheep lines too, with another Charollais ewe from their parents’ William and Carole Ingram’s flock. Going all the way this time, was an ET one-crop ewe bred from the privately purchased ewe, Riverdale Iris, and by Crogham Hannibal, a tup purchased 10 years ago at Worcester for 4000gns.

Near neighbour, Graeme Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie, was another in the tickets, winning the Suffolk breed title and the reserve sheep with a previously unshown home-bred one-crop ewe by Deveronside Doodlebug.

The sheep judges found their second reserve in the winner from a busy commercial section – a Texel cross ewe shown with end of March-born Beltex cross lambs from young David Moir, Home Farm, Fraserburgh.

Overall champion of champions however and winner of the prestigious Millennium Trophy, which rotates round the various sections every year, was the inter-breed horse which saw all the plaudits go to the lead Highland pony. This was Islay Malt of Coynach, a February 2017-born colt from Lynn McDonald, Mains of Coynach, Tarland. Champion at the North East of Scotland Highland Pony Enthusiasts Society Show, earlier in the year, this youngster shown by Lynn’s father, Bill Chapman, is by the former Stallion Show winner, Whitefield Prince Platinum and out of the show mare, Pavlova of Whitefield.

The Shetland champion followed to lift the blue and white sash. This was Donna Lochtie’s Mawcarse Lady Dionne, an eight-year-old yeld mare by Stow Vulcan, from Tillycoultry, which already boasts several top awards this year to include the breed and inter-breed honours at Fife and a top title at the Central Scotland breed show.

LEADING awards Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: A Adam, Newhouse of Glamis). Champion – A Rennie, Mosston Muir, Guthrie, with the four-year-old bull, Mosston Muir Excalibur, a Netherallan Peter Pershore son that was champion at Fife. He is out of Mosston Muir Emily and was a big winner last year. Reserve – JM Steel, West Drums, Brechin, with the reserve winner from Ayr and West Fife, West Drums Proud Isla, a two-year-old heifer by Blelack Duke, bred from the 11-year-old retired show cow, Cardona Proud Isla. Senior bull, cow, junior heifer, calf – A Rennie. Junior bull, senior heifer – JM Steel.

Commercial cattle (Judge: I Thomson, Middleton of Potterton). Champion – J Lumgair, East Idvies, with Domino, a 17-month-old black Limousin cross stot by Powerhouse Harlequin, bought at the Aberdeen Spring Show from John and Craig Robertson, Newton of Logierait. He is bred from a Logierait show heifer and was champion at Fife. Reserve – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart, Huntly, with Shaniqua, a 19-month-old black Limousin cross heifer bred at Balluskie out of a Limousin cross British Blue heifer. She originally sold to Craig Robertson and then to Andrew Weir who exhibited her at LiveScot, where she was purchased by Blair and Rebecca. Shaniqua also made up part of the winning inter-breed group of three and the inter-breed pairs. Bullock calf born after September 1, 2017 and before December 31, 2017, bullock pair – WA Peters, Crieff. Bullock born before September 1, 2017 – J Lumgair. Heifer calf born on or after September 1, 2017 and before December 31, 2017 – CS Fleming and Son. Heifer born before September 1, 2017, heifer pair – B Duffton and R Stuart.

Simmental (Judge: S Knox, North Balloch). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef pair – Heather Duff, Pitmudie. Supreme was Pitmudie Havana, a February 2016-born heifer by Corskie Elder, out of Drumsleed Carina. She was reserve at Kirriemuir and fifth in her class at the Highland last year for the 60-cow herd. Heather picked up the reserve inter-breed beef pair with two young home-bred bulls. Reserve – G and M Smith, Drumsleed, with Drumsleed Iceman, a 17-month-old son of Haystar Cracker bred from Drumsleed Cassie. Bull, cow, calf – G and M Smith. Senior heifer, junior heifer – H Duff.

Charolais (Judge: Mrs L Emslie, Kinknockie). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef champion – Abbie Anderson, Arbroath, with Edenhurst Jou Jou, a rising four-year-old cow by Ratoary Ferguson, that was reserve junior at the Highland in 2016. She was purchased at the Edenhurst dispersal as a foundation female for Abbie’s Rutherston herd and is bred from Edenhurst Honey. Jou Jou was paraded with November-born heifer calf at foot by Gretnahouse Archangel. Reserve – WP Bruce, Balmyle, with Balmyle Nigella, a 16-month-old heifer by the 15,000gns Balmyle Jasper that was sold at Carlisle in 2013, out of Balmyle Flora. Bull – JM Cant and Partners, Arbroath. Cow – Abbie Anderson. Heifer – WP Bruce.

Limousin (Judge: Mrs L Emslie). Champion and inter-breed beef – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, winning her first championship with a home-bred female from her 12-cow Ritchies herd. Supreme was Ritchies Meyrl, a February 2016-born heifer by Sympa that was shown four months in calf to Carnew Millreef. She is out of the former champion winner here, Emslie Ieryl. Reserve – G Easton, Ranch Livestock, with Derg Nancy, a yearling heifer bought at the weaned heifer calf sale at Carlisle, in December from Northern Ireland breeders, JH and S Allen. She is by Lodge Hamlet and out of the Elite Forever Brill daughter, Roundhill Inora. Bull – B Duffton. Senior heifer – A Ritchie. Junior heifer – Ranch Livestock. Heifer stirk – A and K Johnson.

Any other native breed (Judge: A Adam). Champion – A Ramsay, with the two-year-old Belted Galloway bull, Turin Jumbo, a Larkhill Orator son out of Ballindean Flora 2. He was on his first outing. Sole entry.

Highland (Judge: S Hunter, Barnhill). Champion and reserve – J and J Singer, Kintore Castle, winning their first main championship in 10 years breeding and exhibiting. Supreme was Ailsa Emma Dhubh, a three-year-old black heifer that was champion at the East of Scotland Club Show and second at the North of Scotland Club Show. Ailsa Emma is by Uallach 6 Dubh of Polla and out of Emma 2 of Lochinch, one of the foundation females bought at Thainstone some 10 years ago. Reserve was the two-year-old black heifer, Cora Dubh of Applecross, by Aonghas Dubh of Ardbhan, bred from the privately purchased Johan 2 of Applecross. Bull – Morag Middleton. Cow, calf – Glenfarquhar Fold. Three-year-old heifer, two-year-old heifer – J and J Singer. Yearling heifer – Balnabroich Farm.

Young handlers – Champion – Lewis Singer.

Heavy horses (Judge: T Brewster). Champion – A and J Greenhill, Forfar, with Tulloes Blossom, a three-year-old yeld mare that was champion here last year and at the Aberdeen Spring Show in February. She is by Collessie Stepping Stone and out of Tulloes Louise. Reserve – Rolling Thunder Clydesdales, Fettercairn, with Rolling Thunder Starlight Express, a yearling colt from Amanda Butler-Merchant and Shonah Campbell, Fettercairn. Starlight Express is by Redcastle Brelee Majestic, out of Heatherwick Lady Lucinda and was on his first real show outing. Senior gelding – K Glennie. Yeld mare – A and J Greenhill. Yearling filly – V Peterkin. Two-year-old filly – B Warburton. Young male – Rolling Thunder Clydesdales. Young handlers – K Gowans. Ridden – M MacGregor.

Shetland (Judge: D Burnett). Champion and reserve inter-breed horse – D Lochtie, with the breed and inter-breed horse champion from Fife Show, Mawcarse Lady Dionne, an eight-year-old yeld mare by Stow Vulcan out of Hawdale Dixie. Lady Dionne was also overall horse champion at Alyth Show last year and is a former reserve junior champion at the breed show. Reserve - L Wilson, Cassindilly, with the second prize mare, Cassindilly Joules, a five-year-old daughter of Southfieldgate Valiant out of Jasmine of Milton. Unshown until this season, she was champion M and M on her first outing at Howe, qualifying for Blair NPS M and M finals. Mare with foal, any age – J and G Wilson. Foal – I and F Bruce. Yearling – L Wilson. Two/three-year-old, senior stallion – Mawcarse Shetlands. Yeld mare, bred pair – D Lochtie. Senior gelding – S Northcott. Young handler – A Hogg.

Highland ponies (Judge: Mrs S Ormiston). Champion – Lynn McDonald, with Islay Malt of Coynach, a March 2017-born colt by Whitefield Prince Platinum, a former winner at the Stallion Show, out of Pavlova of Whitefield, the in-hand champion at the 2016 breed show. Islay Malt was champion at the North East of Scotland Highland Pony Enthusiasts Society Show, earlier in the year. Reserve – Heather Gow, with the second prize winner to the champion, Freya of Altnacailleach, a yearling filly by Moss-side Uilleam Mor out of Staffa II of Altnacailleach that was placed at the foal show in December. Mare with foal, foal – S Skea. Yeld mare – K Lawson and W Sinclair. Senior gelding – S Shepherd. Yearling – L McDonald. Young handlers – H MacIntosh. Novice ridden – L Nicol. Open ridden – S MacIntosh.

Sheep young handlers – Champion – Finn Christie. Reserve – Robbie Burke.

North Blackface (Judge: T Paterson, Dunruchan). Champion – DW Nicol, Viewmount, with a ewe lamb by an Eastmill sire used on loan from Adam Forbes. She is out of a ewe by a £9500 Haughton, one of only 40 ewes in the flock. Reserve – D Beaton, Newmills, with a previously unshown home-bred shearling ram by an Irish-bred ram and out of a home-bred ewe. Aged ram, gimmer, ewe lamb – DW Nicol. Shearling ram, tup lamb – D Beaton. Ewe – RC Myles and Son, Dalbog.

South-type Blackface (Judge: B Brady, North Amulree). Champion and reserve – M and D Simpson, Sidlaw, Blairgowrie. Supreme was Betty, a home-bred three-crop ewe that was champion here and at Strathardle, and reserve at Kirriemuir last year. She is by an £1100 Dullater. Reserve for the 100-ewe flock was a previously unshown gimmer by a £7500 Auchloy out of a ewe bred by John McIrvine, bought at Forfar mart and by a Lurg ram. Aged ram – P Alexander. Shearling ram – K Fairlie, Glen Cally. Tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – M and D Simpson.

Beltex (Judge: T Buckle, Buckles Farm). Champion – G and F Burke, Chapelton of Menmuir, Brechin, with a previously unshown home-bred two-crop ewe that is a full sister to the breed leader at Kirriemuir last year. She is by Broxy Wishful Thinking, a tup bought in partnership with the Drumchapel and Balbrydie for 3200gns and out of a home-bred ewe by Airyolland Kingside. Reserve – B Wylie, Balbrydie, Kirriemuir, with a gimmer that stood first here last year. She is by Loandhu Bullet, the National Show champion lamb at Turriff, bought privately after the show, and bred from Buckles Abacus, an Ardstewart Super Mario-sired female bought at a Beltex Beauty sale at Carlisle. Ram and male champion, tup lamb – A and J Alston, Drumchapel. Ewe, ewe lamb – G and F Burke. Gimmer – B Wylie.

Cross sheep (Judge: J Brown jnr, Hilton of Culsh). Champion and inter-breed honourary reserve – D Moir, Home Farm, Fraserburgh, with a one-crop Texel cross ewe bought privately from Smallburn Farms, last year. She was shown with end of March-born Beltex cross lambs by a ram bought from John McLean, Culsh. Reserve – D Black, Northmuir, Kirriemuir, with a pen of three previously unshown Texel cross Beltex gimmers purchased from West Hall. Three Continental cross lambs, three undressed lambs – A and J Alston, Drumchapel. Three native-bred lambs, cross ewe with lambs – D Moir. Three gimmers – D Black.

Suffolk (Judge: S Lorimer, Howeford). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – G Christie, Newton of Balquain, Inverurie, with a home-bred one-crop ewe on her first outing from the 50-ewe Balquain flock. A daughter of the 10,000gns Deveronside Doodlebug, she is out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – G Mackie, Drimmie, Forfar, with a ewe lamb by the 24,000gns Strathbogie Carat Gold out of a home-bred ewe by Forkins Bold Boy. Shearling ram, ewe, gimmer – G Christie. Tup lamb and male champion, ewe lamb – G Mackie. Untrimmed lamb pair – C Whitton.

Texel (Judge: G Knox, South Haddo). Champion – A and J Alston, Drumchapel, Brechin, with a home-bred two crop ewe that was shown as a gimmer. She is a daughter of Teiglum Ultimatum and bred from a home-bred ewe. Reserve – A and T Greenhill, with the three-shear stock ram, Tophill World Cup, a son of Proctors Ventura that stood champion Alyth in 2016. Aged ram, shearling ram – A and T Greenhill. Tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – A and J Alston.

Jacob (Judge: Ms J Milton). Champion and reserve – W and E Crowe, Heughhead, Arbroath. Supreme was the home-bred shearling ram, Gowanbank Hector, which stood first in his class at the Highland and the Border Union, last year. He is by Hope Laddie and bred from a Hope ewe bought at St Baldreds. Reserve for the small ewe flock was a Hope-bred gimmer on her first outing. She was also bought at St Boswells last year from her breeders, Wyn and Sue Harris. All classes – W and E Crowe.

Any other breed (Judge: N McGowan, Incheoch). Champion and supreme sheep and reserve – W and C Ingram, Logie Durno, Inverurie, with Charollais. Champion was an ET-bred one-crop ewe by Crogham Hannibal, bred from the privately purchased, Riverdale Iris. She was second at the Highland last year. Standing reserve for the 80-ewe Charollais flock that also runs alongside pedigree Texels, Suffolks and Bluefaced Leicesters was a gimmer by the 4000gns Tynan Poundstretcher, out of a home-bred ewe. She was also shown last year. All classes – W and C Ingram.

Sheep shearing – Open/senior –1, Stewart Kennedy; 2, Brian Simpson; 3, Katie Reid; 4, Clarke Hibberd. Junior/intermediate – 1 and cleaned pen, Katie Reid; 2, Clarke Hibberd; 3, Callum Rimmer; 4, Callum Innes.