Some 16 strong contenders to include first time competitors, and 23 calves from seven herds, were forward for the Lanarkshire Holstein Club's annual calf show and showmanship event at Lanark Agricultural Centre.

Judge William Fleming, Hillhead, Kirkpatrick Fleming, had some difficult choices to make but found his champion handler in Zoe Bryson, with Amy Weatherup taking reserve and Andrew Neilson, honourable mention.

Keeping it in the family, the Brysons also won the award for the champion calf with the six-month-old, Carnduff April Fools Peaches Red.

Calves from Hugh Neilson's Overside herd from Strathaven picked up the reserve and honourable mention. Second best was the nine-month-old, Overside Dewars Robin, followed by Overside Atwood Dellia 3, a 13-month-old heifer.

The club also presented the Tam Allan Perpetual Trophy to the highest placed junior members, which this year saw 30 qualifying members through the accumulation of points from various stockjudging and showmanship competitions. Coming out first equal were Emily Bryson and Mark Bryson, with Lynsey Currie placed third.

LEADING awards

Showmanship – Junior (12 years of age and under on Jan 1, 2018) – 1, Lynsey Currie; 2, Calum Gray; 3, Erica Gray. Intermediate (aged 13-15 on January 1, 2018) – 1, Mark Bryson; 2, Sarah Wood; 3, Isabell Currie. Senior (aged 16-20 on January 1, 2018) – 1, Zoe Bryson; 2, Emily Bryson; 3, Rachael Wood. Mature (aged 21-26 on January 1, 2018) – 1, Amy Weatherup; 2, Andrew Neilson.

Calves – Born on or after Feb 8, 2018 – 1, J Bryson and Son (Carnduff April Fools Peaches Red); 2, B Weatherup and Partners (Lesmay Kingboy Delight); 3, D Gray (Rockset Flame Bridget). Born between Dec 8, 2017 and Feb 7, 2018 – 1, HM Neilson, (Overside Dewars Robin); 2, A and E Lawrie (Grangehall Bankroll Lyme 2); 3, J Bryson and Son (Carnduff Daredevil Mavis). Born between Oct 8, 2017 and Dec 7, 2017 – 1, B Weatherup and Partners (Parkend Rollingstone Tamara); 2, D Gray (Drointon Flashy G Babydoll); 3, J Bryson and Son (Carnduff Legacy Rosebud). Born between Aug 8, 2017 and Oct 7, 2017 – 1, HM Neilson (Overside Atwood Dellia 3); 2, J Bryson and Son (Carnduff Kimball Camilla); 3, B Weatherup and Partners (Parkend Patience Tamara). Born between June 8, 2017 and Aug 7, 2017 – 1, HM Neilson (Overside Upright Zeebee); 2, B Weatherup and Partners (Parkend Awesome Eileen Red). Born between Apr 1, 2017 and Jun 7, 2017 – 1, B Weatherup and Partners (Parkend Awesome Starlet Red). Red and White born on or after Apr 1, 2017 – 1, J Bryson and Son (Carnduff April Fools Peaches Red); 2, D Gray (Rockset Flame Bridget); 3, B Weatherup and Partners (Parkend Awesome Starlet Red). Group of three calves same prefix – 1, HM Neilson, Overside; 2, B Weatherup and Partners, Lesmay; 3, J Bryson and Son, Carnduff.