Despite heavy rain throughout for the morning judging, which took its toll on the afternoon attendance, Banchory Show continued with a full programme of main ring events in the afternoon as the weather improved.

“Banchory Show has generally been lucky over the years with the weather but we were unfortunate on Saturday to get rain after all the weeks of sunshine,” said show president, Alex Blackhall. “But I was pleasantly pleased and surprised that so many people braved the elements and enjoyed the show of livestock and entertainment in the ring, as well as the huge variety of trade stands.”

The show proved another triumph for Blair Duffton from Huntly and Rebecca Stuart from Insch who chalked up their fourth cross cattle championship in as many weeks following wins at Fettercairn, Echt and New Deer with their much-admired 20-month-old Limousin cross heifer, Shaniqua.

And they crowned a successful day by going on to win the champion of champions title in competition with the sheep and horse champions. The heifer was previously inter-breed champion at Fettercairn and reserve inter-breed champion at Echt and New Deer.

Mr Duffton, who has a team of youngsters he has encouraged into showing helping him, made a plea to the farming community for more support for the shows.

“It’s not all about winning and prize money,” said the 42-year old. “I won my first reserve championship when I was 15 with a Charollais ewe. The shows are great social occasions and very enjoyable and I would like to see more youngsters getting involved to make sure the shows survive.”

With 14 entries forward, the Duffton-Stuart duo swept up all the group awards in the beef section and went on to win the inter-breed award for the best group of three – judged by former UA chairman, David Leggat – with the Simmental team from Gerald and Morag Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun – which included their breed and reserve inter-breed champion – standing reserve and third place going to the Aberdeen-Angus trio from Neil and Mark Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford.

It was also a memorable day for former show president, Robin Stewart, and his wife, Karen, from Stablebrae, Durris, who stood reserve for supreme overall, with their horse champion, the two-year-old Highland colt, West Lodge Coinnerach, which was earlier taking top honours at the Royal Welsh Show. The colt has impressive credentials with three of his ancestors having won the horse championship at Banchory over the years.

Over in the sheep lines, 18-year-old Jemma Green from Corskie, Garmouth, was making her mark in the Texel classes while sister Laura was doing likewise with the family’s Simmental herd at Nairn Show.

Jemma’s Texel champion, a gimmer by Glenside Wild Boy, went on to win the inter-breed sheep championship with a Blue Texel gimmer which won the any other continental sheep section taking reserve for Deborah Atkinson.

LEADINGawards

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: Angela McGregor, Whiterashes). Champion – K and M Howie, Cairnton, Lumphanan, with 16-month-old bull, Cairnton Blackbeard T420, by Haymount Walarlom M303 and out of Cairnton Blackbird N359, first at New Deer and male champion at Echt. Destined for Stirling October sale. Reserve – K and M Howie with yearling heifer, Cairnton Elizabeth T426, by Cairnton Blackbeard T420 and out of Cairnton Elizabeth H234, second at New Deer, third at Fettercairn and fourth at the Highland. Bull, yearling heifer – K and M Howie. Cow, heifer calf – N and M Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford. Two-year-old heifer – G and F Willox, Meikle Pitinnan, Oldmeldrum. Bull calf – Wendy Willox, Broadmyre, Clatt.

Charolais (Judge: M Massie, Auchnagatt). Champion– R and N Barclay, Harestone, Banchory, with two-year-old heifer. Reserve – R and N Barclay with heifer calf. Two-year-old heifer, heifer calf – R and N Barclay.

Simmental (Judge: A Ivory, Meigle). Champion – G and Morag Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, with rising two-year-old heifer, Drumsleed Hilight, by Grangewood Wiliam and out of Drumsleed Evita, champion at Kirriemuir and Fettercairn and reserve junior at the Highland. Reserve – G and M Smith with four-year-old cow, Drumsleed Farian, by Clonagh Buckarooney Truely, out of Boarshead Karina, reserve at Fettercairn. Senior bull – J Wilkie, Braigiewell, Echt. Yearling bull, cow, yearling heifer. Two-year-old heifer, heifer calf – S and K Smith. Bull calf – S Wilkie.

Limousin (Judge: M Massie). Champion – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Burnside, Whitecairns, with two-year-old heifer, Ritchies Meryl, by Sympa and out of Emslies Ieyrl, champion at New Deer, first at the Limousin Grand Prix at Echt, first at Fettercairn, fourth at the Highland and inter-breed champion at Angus. Reserve – A Ritchie with yearling heifer, Ritchies Newzen, by Ampertaine Elgin and out of Brockhurst Howzat. Bull, two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer – A Ritchie. Cow – B Duffton, Huntly and Rebecca Stuart, Insch.

Blonde (Judge: Sheena Kennedy, Ayr). Champion – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with cow, Strathisla Nevis. Reserve – G Anderson with bull calf, Glassel Neymar. Bull, Cow, two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer. Bull calf – G Anderson.

Highland (Judge: Lesley Lacey, Aberfeldy). Champion – J and Jenne Singer, Kintore Castle, Auchenblae, with three-year-old heifer, Ailsa Emma Dhubh of Kintore Castle, by Ualloch Dubh 6 of Pollock and out of Ema 2 of Lochinch, champion at Echt, reserve at Fettercairn, reserve inter-breed at Alyth, and champion at Angus and East of Scotland Club Show. Reserve – Mr and Mrs Reid with cow, Sorcha Dubh 2 of Cladich, by Sconaidh Mor of Ardura and out of Sconcha Dubh of Cladul, reserve last year. Senior bull – Morag Middleton. Junior bull – Brathens Fold, Banchory. Cow, calf – Mr and Mrs Reid. Three-year-old heifer – J and Jenne Singer. Two-year-old heifer – S and A Brown. Yearling heifer – Grace Noble, Lochton of Leys, Banchory

British Blue (Judge: Sheena Kennedy, Ayr). Champion – G and J Greenlaw with yearling heifer, Greenlaw Lucky Lady. Reserve – G and J Greenlaw with bull calf, Greenlaw Nightmare. Yearling heifer, bull calf – G and J Greenlaw.

Salers (Judge: A Ivory). Champion – D Watson, Darnford, Durris, with two-year-old home-bred bull, Darnford Lars, by Sangio, and out of Chapelpark Gem. To be sold at Castle Douglas after running with heifers. Darnford’s third championship in a row. Reserve – J McIntyre, Milton of Cullerlie, Echt, with six-year-old cow, Lisnamaul Floss, by Barrynally Samul and out of Lisnamaul cow. Champion at Echt and bought in calf at Castle Douglas. Bull – D Watson. Cow, bull calf – J McIntyre. Two-year-old heifer, heifer calf – Erin Murphy

Any other pedigree breed (Judge: A Ivory). Champion – D and J Hardie, Gates of Birselawsie, Midmar, with rising two-year-old home-bred Beef Shorthorn bull, Birselawsie Kozmo, by Birselawsie Glenlivet, and out of Rinmore cow, champion at Echt. Reserve – J Hardie with four-year-old Beef Shorthorn ow, Greenwell Fanvich Foxglove, by Glenisla Donald, and out of Greenwall Fantasie Foxglove, reserve at Echt. Senior bull – JL Fraser and Son, Tilbouries, Maryculter. Junior bull – D and J Hardie. Cow – J Hardie. Two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer – Alison Watt.

Commercial (Judge: D Blair, Newport on Tay). Champion – B Duffton, Huntly, and Rebecca Stuart, Insch, with 20-month-old Limousin cross heifer, Shaniqua, by Lodge Hamlet and out of Limousin cross cow, bred by Jennifer Hyslop, Girvan. Bought at the Scottish Winter Fair, reserve inter-breed champion at New Deer and Echt, inter-breed champion at Fettercairn, second at the Highland and reserve cross cattle champion at Angus. Reserve – B Paterson, Echt, with junior Limousin cross bull calf, Archie’s Boy, by Lodge Hamlet and out of British Blue cross cow. Second at Echt and reserve at Fettercairn. Cow, unhaltered bullock calf and unhaltered heifer calf – P Cooper and Son. Two-year-old bullock, yearling bullock, yearling heifer, senior bullock calf, senior heifer calf – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart. Two-year-old heifer – H Brown, Auchmaliddie, Maud. Junior bullock calf – B Paterson. Junior heifer calf – E and M Grenlaw. YFC heifer (under 18) – Lois Milne. YFC bullock and heifer (19-26) – Rebecca Stuart. Cow with bullock calf, cow with heifer calf – S Smith.

Carcase cattle (Judge: M Gibb, Drumoak). Champion – H Gordon, Clochnahill, Stonehaven, with heifer. Reserve – C Keir, Glenkindie, with bullock. Bullock – C Keir. Heifer – H Gordon.

Young handlers – Emma Smith.

Clydesdale (Judge: J Anderson, Arbroath). Champion – Arradoul Clydesdales, Buckie, with yearling filly, Arradoul Olivia May. Reserve – N Christie, Kinellar, with yearling filly. Colt or gelding – Rolling Thunder Clydesdales. Two-year-old filly – V Peterkin, Auchenblae. Yearling filly – Arradoul Clydesdales. Gelding, in saddle – J Gibb.

Highland (Judge: Pat Gray, East Lothian) – R and Karen Stewart, Stablebrae, Durris, with two-year-old colt, West Lodge Coinnerach, by Jacobite and out of West Lodge Amy, supreme champion at Royal Welsh Show and reserve at Fettercairn. Sire, grand-sire and great grand-sire all former champions at Banchory. Reserve – Susanne Shepherd with pony in saddle, West Lodge Alexander. Gelding, in saddle – Susanne Shepherd. Mare, two-year-old – Robin and Karen Stewart.

Shetland (Jim Wilson, Muckhart). Champion – Michelle Hector and Marie Whyte with filly, Little Woodend Daisy. Reserve – Christine Forbes, Dufftown, with stallion, Lynemore Illusion, champion at New Deer. Stallion and coloured pony – Christine Forbes. Mare or gelding, mare with foal – I Bruce. Yearling – Michelle Hector and Marie Whyte. Two/three-year-old – Michelle Hector and Marie Whyte. Foal – Mrs I Bruce. In saddle – Kathryn Carr.

Miniature Shetland (Judge: J Wilson) – C Matthew with mare and foal, Stranduff Mystique. Reserve – Ann Irvine with male, Rocky of Haybrake. Stallion or gelding, yeld mare – Ann Irvine. Yearling, mare, foal – C Matthew. Tw/three-year-old – Ashleigh Watt. Coloured pony – Margaret Greaves.

Suffolk (Judge: J Christie, Kippen) – Champion – G Troup, Echt, with gimmer. Reserve – P Gordon. Senior ram, gimmer, ewe lamb – G Troup. Shearling – W Blackhall, Maryculter. Ewe, ram lamb and pair – Faith Miskelly.

Blackface (Judge: J Ferguson, Blairgowrie) – Champion – W Stewart, Keith, with ewe lamb. Reserve – A Petrie, Kirriemuir, with gimmer. Senior ram, shearling ram, ewe lamb – W Stewart. Ewe, gimmer – A Petrie. Ram lamb – R C Myles and Son, Dalbog, Edzell.

Texel (Judge: D Webster, Wick) Champion – Jemma Green, Corskie, Garmouth, with gimmer by Glenside Wild Boy. Reserve – K Pratt, Peterculter. Shearling ram, ram lamb – S Barclay, Harestone, Banchory. Ewe, ewe lamb –K Pratt. Gimmer – Jemma Green.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: W Wyllie, Ballinluig). Champion – R Blackhall, Green, Raemoir, with home-bred gimmer by Rossiebank F1 and out of home-bred ewe by Mossvale F1. First time shown. Reserve – Alison Ross, Craskins, Tarland, with ewe. Senior ram, shearling ram, ewe – Alison Ross. Gimmer, ram lamb – R Blackhall. Ewe lamb – S Burnett.

Bluefaced Leicester crossing type (Judge: D Rock, Gargunnock) – A Jolly with ewe lamb. Reserve – J Hunter, Wedderburn, Huntly, with ram lamb out of home-bred ewe by Kirby Redgate J1. Champion at Echt. Shearling ram, ewe lamb – A Jolly. Ewe and gimmer – C Millican. Ram lamb – Jim Hunter.

Northern short-tail (Judge: J Bogue, West Linton). Champion – Carol Collie with ram lamb. Reserve – I Carnegie, Rickarton, with ewe lamb. Shearling ram, gimmer, ewe lamb – I Carnegie. Ewe – Lois Thompson and J Graham. Ram lamb – Carol Collie.

Zwartbles (Judge: J Pirie, Kingussie). Champion – Faye Wilkie, Braigiewell, Echt, with gimmer. Reserve – Faye Wilkie with ewe. Shearling ram, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – Faye Wilkie. Ram lamb – TD Miskelly.

Any other continental breed (Judge: A Alexander, Insch). Champion – Deborah Atkinson with home-bred Blue Texel gimmer by Dullela Frogatt Axe. Reserve – Deborah Atkinson with ram lamb. Senior ram, ewe – Pat Imlah, Newmachar. Shearling ram, gimmer, ram lamb – Deborah Atkinson. Ewe lamb – G Troup.

Any other native breed (Judge: A Knox, Fyvie). Champion – D and B Henderson with ewe. Reserve – Marianne Sheed with ram lamb. Senior ram – Diana Milligan. Shearling ram, gimmer, ewe lamb – R and Beth Aitken. Ewe – D and B Henderson. Ram lamb – Marianne Sheed.

Cross (Judge: M Rainnie, Dinnet) Champion – A Miller. Reserve – A Kellas. Ewe, pair gimmers and three cross lambs (any other breed) – A Miller. Three Texel cross lambs – Mags Milne. Three butchers’ lambs – D Black. Pet lamb – Summer Miller.

Prime lambs (Judge: Murray Gibb). Champion – A Miller. Reserve – Steven Smith.

Young handlers (12-16) – Ryan Cumming. Young handlers (8-11) – Faith Miskelly, Kildrummy, Alford. Young handlers (7 and under) – Samuel Miskelly, Kildrummy, Alford.