ORKNEY is renowned for breeding top quality stock and this year's County Show was no exception, with livestock exhibitors from all corners of mainland Orkney and the North Isles rounding off their show season with a cracking entry of well-turned-out animals born and bred on the island.

It was certainly a County Show to remember for Elsie Wishart from Newbigging, Harray, when her home-bred North Country Cheviot ewe went one better than her outing at Dounby two days before to claim the overall inter-breed sheep title. Elsie, who previously ran a flock of 30 Northies with her late husband James, went straight to the top with her one and only Cheviot, a two-crop home-bred ewe by Cairnside Northern Light, out of a home-bred ewe by Bardnaclavan Elite

Shown by Trevor Pirie, she caught the eye of inter-breed judge Johnny Aiken from Inglewood Edge, Dalston, who said: "As soon as I saw her, she just stuck out. She has plenty flesh, moved well, is full of character and is very correct on her legs. She commanded the ring."

Mr Aiken, then awarded a Suffolk ewe from Davy Summers, Easthouse in Toab, as the reserve overall champion. Davy and son Graham, who run just 12 Suffolk ewes, stood runner up with a one-crop home-bred ewe by Crewelands Charisma, out of a Conveth-bred ewe. She stood inter-breed sheep champion at the East Mainland Show one week before.

Amongst a strong line-up of pedigree and commercial cattle, the supreme title went to the champion from the cross-bred black and blue section. Tapped out by judge John Wight, Biggar, who said he was a 'stand out animal', was Jim Baillie and family's home-bred December 2017-born bullock by Craigatoke Jameson. Having stood overall beef champion at East Mainland, he is heading to the Spectacular at Thainstone, next week, along with others calves from the family.

Scooping a third reserve beef title here for Phyllis Hepburn and her husband Angus Harcus, who run 15 pedigree Aberdeen-Angus and 50 cross cows at Messigate, Tankerness, was their four-year-old Aberdeen-Angus cow bred by Phyllis' father John Hepburn of Burnside, Tankerness. This was Newlot Esmeralda W114, a daughter of Silvermoss Everest K044, bred out of a previous Newlot Esmeralda. She was shown with her bull calf at foot, Burnside Excellent by Netherton Mr Radar.

Another Baillie family from the East Mainland, this time from Biggins, Toab, ruled supreme in the groups, while black Limousin crosses from Keith and Mhairi Eunson, Braebuster, Deerness, were reserve.

In the horse section, 60 years of showing Clydesdales ended on a high for Ian Smith, from Holburn, Kirkwall, when his seven-year-old mare, Downill Snowflake, won the supreme horse championship. A Carnaff Ambassador daughter bred in Ireland, she has won here several times.

LEADINGawards:

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: M Tait, Instack, Barrock). Champion – JM Lennie and Co, Nearhouse, Tankerness, with the seven-year-old bull Pentland Emperor by Chapelton Wildfire, out of Pentland Laura. Bought privately four years ago, he has stood champion Shorthorn here three times and was inter-breed champion in 2016. Reserve – B and S Slater, Newbigging, Dounby, with Queenamoan Foxy, a two-year-old home-bred heifer by Rowanberry Donatello, out of Greenburn Cassie. Due to calve in December, she was champion at the Stars of the Future in 2016 and reserve champion here as a calf the same year. Aged bull, cow heifer calf, calved on or after Sept 1, 2017 – JM Lennie. Bull – Laga Farms, Evie. Dry cow, heifer calved on or after Sept 1, 2016 – JW Taylor and Sons, Aikers, South Ronaldsay. In-calf heifer, heifer calf – B and S Slater. Heifer calf, calved on or after Dec 1, 2017 – GRT Scarth, Twatt Farm, Birsay. Bull calf, calved on or after Dec 1, 2017, bull calf born 2018 – I Kemp, St Ola.

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: M Tait). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef – P Hepburn, Messigate, Tankerness, with the four-year-old cow Newlot Esmeralda W114 bred by Phyllis' father John Hepburn, Burnside, Tankerness. Gifted as a yearling heifer, she is by Silvermoss Everest K044 and out of another Newlot Esmeralda. Shown on her first outing with her heifer calf Burnside Excellent by Netherton Mr Radar. Reserve – JS Baillie and Co, Sebay, Tankerness, with Sebay Electra, a home-bred heifer by Retties JFK, out of Sebay Red Electra. Champion at East Mainland. Bull – Messrs Davidson. Cow, dry cow, heifer calf born in 2018, bull calf born in 2018 – P Hepburn. Three-year-old cow, in calf heifer, heifer calf – S Mainland, Skiddy, Rendall. Heifer – JS Baillie. Bull calf – B and S Slater.

Charolais (Judge: J Morton, Gretna House, Gretna Green). Champion – WR Baillie and Co, Biggings, Toab, with Ballieston Mary, a two-year-old in-calf heifer which should reserve champion at East Mainland. She is by the 25,000gns Maerdy Hasse and out of Ballieston Gemini. Reserve – GT and S Coghill, Muce, Birsay, with Hekra Holly, a six-year-old home-bred cow by Seawell Dagger. Out of Hekra Alicia, she stood Charolais champion here in 2014. Bull, in-calf heifer, two-year-old heifer, bull calf – WR Baillie and Co. Cow – GT and S Coghill. Heifer calf – Messrs Spence, Norton, Dounby. Heifer calf born 2018, bull calf born 2018 – V Taylor and Sons, Hall of Herston, South Ronaldsay.

Limousin (Judge: J Morton). Champion – K and M Eunson, Braebuster, Deerness, with Dinmore Gold Crest, a seven-year-old bull bought privately from Harry Emslie, Kinknockie. On his first outing with the Eunsons, he is by Ronick Hawk, out of Dinmore Elle. Reserve – R and J Johnston, Hewan, Shapinsay, with 10-month-old home-bred bull calf Hewan Norman by 6000gns Ampertaine Interrogate, out of Hewan Inga. Aged bull – K and E Eunson. Junior bull – Laga Farms. Two-year-old heifer – L Muir. Bull calf – R and J Johnston. Heifer calf born in 2018 – A and L Cromarty, Hools, St Margaret's Hope.

Other pure bred continentals (Judge: J Morton). Champion and reserve – A and A Foubister, Netherton, Holm, with home-bred British Blues. Champion for the family was Graemeshall Krystal, a two-and-a-half-year-old in-calf heifer by Boothlow Dynamo, out of Graemeshall Grace. In reserve was Graemeshall Laird, a 19-month-old bull by Tweeddale Faldo, out of Graemeshall Duchess. Bull, dry cow, in-calf heifer – A and A Foubister. Three-year-old cow – K and M Eunson.

Cross-bred coloured (Judge: W Peters, Monzie, Crieff). Champion – F Leslie, Odin Stone, Shapinsay, with a January-born home-bred bullock calf named Gordy. Sired by Lodge Hamlet and out of a Limousin cross cow by Aultmore Jay and bred by the Hendrys at Heads of Auchinderran, Keith. He stood reserve champion at Shapinsay earlier in the week. Reserve – Messrs Spence, Norton, Dounby, with a 19-month-old home-bred Limousin cross heifer named Shiraz. By Chytodden Conan and out of a British Blue cross cow, she stood champion here last year and was second in her class at Dounby, this year. Heifer, showing calf's teeth – Messrs Spence. Steer, showing calf's teeth – R and J Johnston, Hewan, Shapinsay. Heifer calf, calved on or after Sept 1, 2017 – A AB Spence, Hayon, Birsay. Steer calf, calved on or after Sept 1, 2017 – RJ Taylor, Brencherhouse, Birsay. Heifer calf, calved on or after Dec 1, 2017 – Garson Farms, Sandwick. Steer calf, calved on or after Dec 1, 2017 – F Leslie. Heifer calf, calved on or after Mar 1, 2018 – J Gray, Dalvenna, St Ola. Steer calf, calved on or after Mar 1, 2018 – B Baillie, Sebay View, Tankerness.

Cross-bred black/blue polled (Judge: W Peters). Champion and inter-breed beef – JS Baillie and Co, Sebay, Tankerness, with a December-born Limousin cross bullock calf by Craigatoke Jameson, out of a home-bred cow. He stood overall beef at East Mainland the week before. Reserve – B Baillie, with a November-born steer calf by Lodge Hamlet, out of a home-bred cow, which stood first in his class at East Mainland. In-calf heifer, heifer calf calved on or after Mar 1, 2018 – L Muir. Heifer, showing calf teeth – F Leslie. Steer, showing calf teeth, steer calf calved on or after Sept 1, 2017 – B Baillie. Heifer calf, calved on or after Sept 1, 2017 – K and M Eunson. Heifer calf, calved on or after Dec 1, 2017 – Garson Farms. Steer calf, calved on or after Dec 1, 2017 – B Baillie. Steer calf, calved on or after Mar 1, 2018 – T and J Leslie, Ouoymorhouse, Shapinsay. Young handler – 1, Tegan Spence, Saither, Dounby; 2, Balfour Hay, Eversti, Birsay; 3, Connor Spence, Hayton, Birsay.

Border Leicester (Judge: A Cowens, Old Mill Farm, Selkirk). Champion and reserve – JD Wilson, Tofts. Supreme for James was his home-bred one-crop ewe by a Didcot tup, out of a home-bred ewe, while reserve was a home-bred tup lamb by a tup bought from Jimmy Sinclair, Cairness, and out of the champion ewe.

Suffolk (Judge: R Gray, Langside Farm, Sandilands). Champion and reserve inter-breed – D Summers, East House, Toab, with a one-crop home-bred ewe by Crewelands Charisma, out of a Conveth ewe bought three years ago at Stirling. She was champion sheep at East Mainland. Davie and son Graham also stood reserve with a similar aged ewe by the same sire as the champion.

Texel (Judge: A Hamilton, Lanark). Champion – LS Flett and Co, Nistaben, Harray, with his champion Texel ewe from Dounby. This was a three-crop Milnbank-bred ewe bought privately in 2015. Sired by the 40,000gns Glenside Razzle Dazzle, she is out of a Templand ewe by Clinterty Las Vegas. Reserve – J Cowe, Little Howes, Holm, with a home-bred tup lamb by Tophill Wall Street, out of a ewe bought from Clinterty two years ago. He was second at East Mainland and is destined for Lanark, later this month. Ewe – LS Flett and Co. Gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb – J Cowe. Shearling – RE Scott, IR Scott and G Flett, Dawn Cottage, Holm.

Cross-bred sheep (Judge: R Gray). Champion – Mrs S Coghill, Muce, Birsay, with her champion cross-bred from Dounby, a two-crop home-bred Charollais cross Texel ewe by a Veltigar Texel tup, out of a pure Charollais ewe. Reserve – I Laird, Yeldabrek, Burray, with a home-bred Texel cross home-bred gimmer. Ewe – S Coghill. Gimmer – I Laird, Yeldabank, Burray. Cross-bred lambs – S Coghill.

Cheviot (Judge: A Cowens, Old Mill Farm, Selkirk). Champion and supreme sheep – JJ and E Wishart, Newbigging, Harray, with a two-crop home-bred ewe that stood reserve inter-breed at Douby. She is by Cairnside Northern Light, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – JS Baillie and Co, Sebay, Tankerness, with a home-bred gimmer by Allanshaws Terminator, out of a home-bred ewe. She stood second at East Mainland. Shearling, tup lamb, gimmer – JS Baillie and Co. Ewe – JJ and E Wishart. Ewe lamb – LS Flett and Co.

Charollais (Judge: A Cowens). Champion and reserve – S Coghill. Supreme was a four-crop home-bred ewe by Logie Durno Majestic King, out of a home-bred ewe, while the reserve honours went to a shearling Logie Durno Sergeant by Werfawr Redbull. Tup, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – S Coghill. Tup lamb – R Wood.

Beltex (Judge: A Hamilton). Champion and reserve – R Flaws, Nisthouse, Evie. Champion was a home-bred shearling named Woodwick Celebrity by Corston Whistler, out of Artnagullion Ringmaster. He is destined for Carlisle, later this month. Standing reserve was a home-bred Beltex gimmer named Woodwick Cup Cake by Airyolland Wee Jimmy, out of a Corston Whistler ewe. Shearling, ewe, gimmer, tup lamb – R Flaws. Ewe lamb – A and V Copland, Overhouse, Harray.

Zwartbles (Mrs S Stewart, Butterybrae, Drummuir, Keith). Champion and reserve – N Fergus, Grindigar, Deerness. Champion was a home-bred gimmer named Copinsay Emerald, by Speyside Big Foot, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve was Copinsay Ernest, a shearling tup by the same sire as the champion, out of a home-bred ewe. All classes – N Fergus.

AOB pure (Judge: Mrs S Stewart). Champion – J Higgs, Appiehouse, Harray, with a Blue Texel gimmer bought as a ewe lamb at Carlisle. She stood champion AOB at Dounby. Reserve – I Laird, Yeldabrek, Burray, with a two-shear bought-in Lleyn tup.

Prime lambs (Judge: A Cowens). Champion – IW Slater, Roadside, Swanbister, Orphir. Reserve – JS Baillie and Co, Sebay, Tankerness.

Young handlers – 1, Ross Wood, North Moa, Rendall; 2, Marcus S Slater.

Goats (Judge: E Fraser, Torgormack, Kilmorack). Champion – H Croy, Greenhall, Deerness, with the female Somerland Lexi by Burnhead Aintree, out of Somerland Alexandria. She stood first last year. Reserve – G Tennant, Newtonhill, Stromness, with Porthrhiw Aspen by Burnhead Aintree, out of Arctic Willow. She was reserve champion at Dounby. Female first kidder, female in milk, goatling, female born after April 1, 2018, female kid born after April 1, 2018, male goat – H Croy. Male kid, meat goats all young meat stock – B Moore, Greenvale, Burray. Pygmy goat – L Deerness, Heather Lea, Toab. Meat goat female breeding – K Mainland, Lyde, Finstown.

Clydesdale (Judge: R Lang, The Bungalow, Cupar). Champion – JD and DM Smith, Holburn, Kirkwall, with the eight-year-old yeld mare Downhill Snowflake by Carnaff Ambassador, out of Garleton Betty. Bred in Ireland but bought from Jim Young, she has been champion at the County eight times. Gelding – Toots Cromarty, Hilltoft, Burray. Filly – JW Taylor and Sons, Aikers, South Ronaldsay.

Highland ponies (Judge: R Lang). Champion – IT and M Rorie, Easdale, Newark, Deerness, with the 14-year-old mare Fourmerk Harriet by Tuskerbister Jarl Haakon. Reserve – K Grant, Skallahjem, Orphir, with a home-bred nine-year-old mare named Orkneyinga Freya.

Shetland pony (Judge: I Spence, Alford). Champion – Millquoy Shetland Pony Stud, Stenness, with the home-bred 11-year-old mare Millquoy Danielle by Drum Director, out of Millquoy Drummie's Dancer. Reserve – J and L Cromarty, Bayview Stud, Roadside, Toab, with the 11-year-old brood mare. Leading rein, filly foal, two-year-old filly – Hools Shetland Pony Stud, Toab. Ridden, young handler eight-years-old and under – R Maclean, Auchenleck, Heathery Loan, St Ola. Aged nine to 16 years – A Sinclair, Unigarth, Sandwick. Female with foal – J and L Cromarty. Colt, foal, dam not over 10.5 hands, yeld not over 10.5 hands – Millquoy Shetland Pony Stud. Gelding not over 10.5 hands – IT and M Rorie, Easdale, Newark, Deerness. One-year-old filly – SR, LM and A Sinclair.