Despite the constant drizzle, exhibitors and spectators were out in force to support Fife Show which this year attracted a record breaking sheep entry – in excess of 330 head – complete with increased cattle numbers.

However, while the event, staged on the outskirts of Cupar, saw the highest ever number of sheep from exhibitors old and new alike, it was the supreme beef cattle winner that eventually proved the star attraction in the overall champion of champions competition. This was however, after the tri-colour had initially been presented to the lead Clydesdale following a stewarding error.

Taking centre stage to win a fourth beef inter-breed trophy was Robert Aitken and his daughter Avril's any other continental champion, Lourie Novelty, a 19-month-old Charolais heifer that stood reserve senior heifer at the Starts of the Future, in November.

No strangers to the limelight in years gone by, this top win from the family who run just two Charolais cows and one Limousin just outside Methven, is bred from Lourie Faye, a Balmyle Vendetta daughter that bred the 2015 champion here and last year's Perth Show leader. She is by the AI sire, Davally Illusion.

“The Charolais is full of breed character, style and she’s good on her legs – she’s one of the best heifers I’ve seen in a long time,” said the overall judge, Robin Lang.

Backing up these statements, the inter-breed beef judge, Matthew Milne, Elgin, said: "The Charolais caught my eye as soon as she came into the ring. She's full of breed character and she's correct throughout."

For the supreme overall, the Charolais was up against the inter-breed horse – Rommano Willow The Wisp, a part-bred in-hand mountain and moorland owned by Zoe Nicoll – supreme sheep, commercial cattle champion and overall dairy champion.

Top dairy animal was the Wilson family’s French-bred Holstein cow, Lieu Thomain Beaute, a previously unshown third calver bought privately in 2017. Calved in January and giving 56litres per day, this big cow from Carskerdo, Cupar, is by De Su Bkm McCutchen.

A similarly aged home-bred British Friesian from Adam and Basil Lawson, North Cassingray, Largoward, Leven, picked up reserve dairy honours. Lismulligan Priscilla 53 Ex93, stood first in her class here last year and is destined for the Royal Highland Show.

Inter-breed sheep judge, Andrew Campbell, Lochgoilhead, found his top winner in the Texel leader, while the blue and white ribbons were presented to the champion Suffolk. The former, a previously unshown gimmer from Robert Cockburn, Hill of Errol, Errol, is by the 32,000gns Mullan Amigo and bred from a former champion winner here by Ettrick Van Goch.

Stewart Lathangie, Pyeston, Glenrothes, lifted the runner-up trophy with his lead Suffolk, a previously unshown Suffolk tup lamb by the new stock ram, Castleisle Calvin Klein, purchased at Stirling for 3000gns last year. He is bound for the Highland Show and the breed sale at Stirling in July.

Back amongst the beef and Allan and Keith Rennie’s Aberdeen Angus champion, Mosston Muir Estrelita, a four-year-old cow with calf at foot by Mosston Muir The Boss, was presented the reserve inter-breed trophy. A daughter of Netherallan Peter Pershore, this big cow from Mosston Muir, Guthrie, Forfar, made her presence felt last year standing first at Angus and second at the Highland.

Aberdeen Angus cattle also starred in the inter-breed beef pairs, Mr Milne tapped out a duo paraded by freelance stockman, Richard Rettie and his team, scooped the blue and white ribbons for Oxfordshire-based Richard Hassell and Rachel Wyllie of Brailes Livestock. This comprised the reserve breed champion, Cheeklaw Black Beth, a two-year-old heifer and a similarly aged bull.

Top honours in pairs were presented to a brace of home-bred Limousins from John Thomson, Hilton of Beath, Kelty. This included the champion and reserve breed winners, Beath Orion, a 13-month-old bull and the two-year-old heifer, Beath Nashville.

LEADING awards

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: Major JP Gibb, Blairgowrie). Champion – M and S Nairn, Balnabroich Farm, Strathardle, Blairgowrie, with Juaul Maryann Magdalina, a 15-month-old red heifer by Democrat of Upsall on her first outing. She was bought as a calf at foot alongside her dam, Albion Maryann Freya at the Juaul dispersal at Longtown and was brought out by Alex Smith and Bob McWalter. Reserve – W and J McGowan and Son, Fingask, Dairsie, Cupuar, with Fingask Kelso, a three-year-old home-bred bull by Controller of Upsall out of Fingask Hannah Crocus on his first outing of the year. Senior bull – W and J McGowan. Junior bull, pair – J Wood, Brewsterwells, Cameron, St Andrews. Cow, calf – TA Jackson, Wood Yett, Lanark. Senior heifer – Trainview Livestock. Junior heifer – M and S Nairn.

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: I Anderson, Cumnock). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef – A and K Rennie, Mosston Muir, Guthrie, Forfar, with Mosston Muir Estrelita, a rising four-year-old cow with her second, February-born heifer calf at foot. She is by Netherallan Peter Pershore and out of Mosston Muir Ellie while her calf is by Moston Muir The Boss. She was first at Angus and second at the Highland, last year. Reserve – R Hassell and R Wyllie, Brailes Livestock, Oxfordshire, with the two-year-old heifer, Cheeklaw Black Beth, a Balmachie Lord Jock-sired female bought as a calf alongside her dam Cheeklaw Black Betsy, for 11,000gns at the herd dispersal. Black Beth was reserve yearling heifer at the Black Beauty Bonanza and was brought out by freelance stockman, Richard Rettie, Methven. Bull – K Rennie, Fiddlehall, Falkland. Cow, calf – A and K Rennie. Senior heifer – Brailes Livestock. Pair – A Mylius, Newport on Tay.

Belted Galloway (Judge: I Anderson). Champion and reserve – L and R Brown, Rose Cottage, Radernie, Cupar. Supreme was Brodale Delia Rose, a five-year-old home-bred in-calf cow by Ballindean Dandy out of Netherwood Delia, shown by 17-year-old Lynsey Brown. Reserve at Perth last year. Reserve for the 15-cow herd was Brodale Dreama Tia, an 18-month-old heifer by Salway Bilbo, out of Ashness Dreamer, a former champion winner here. Bull, cow, heifer, pair – L and R Brown. Heifer calf – B Lawson and Sons, North Cassingray, Largoward.

Any other continental (Judge: M Irvine, Keith). Champion – R Aitken, College Terrace, Methven, with the October 2017-born Charolais heifer, Lourie Novelty shown by daughter Avril. Reserve senior heifer at the Stars of the Future, she is by the AI sire, Davally Illusion and out of Lourie Faye, which bred the champion winner here in 2015 and last year’s breed leader at Perth. Reserve – D McKerrow, Nochnary, Freuchie, with a British Blue yearling heifer. Nochnary Nikita is an ET bred from Tweeddale Jlow and sired by Attribut Du Fond De Bois. She was on her first outing and is destined for the Highland. Bull – R and C Rettie, Methven. Heifer – R Aitken. Pair – Brailles Livestock.

Any other breed native (Judge: Major JP Gibb). Champion – A Mylius and Partners, St Fort, Newport on Tay, with the 15-month-old home-bred Lincoln Red bull, St Fort Xmoor, a son of the former twice Great Yorkshire reserve inter-breed beef champion, St Fort Rolex, out of a home-bred cow. Xmoor is also heading to this year’s Great Yorkshire. Reserve – W, P and K Wason, Redwells, Kinglassie, with the 11-month-old Hereford heifer, Saltire 1 Fly 2, a home-bred entry by Baldinnie 1 Orient out of Baldinnie 1 Fly 18, on her first outing. Bull, pair – A Mylius and Partners. Cow – W, P and K Wason.

Simmental (Judge: M Irvine, Keith). Champion – GL Clark, Broombrae, Auchtermuchty, Cupar, with the sole entry, Lisglass Goldstar, a son of Dermotstown Goldboy, bought at Stirling in 2016. He was inter-breed champion and reserve overall champion of champions here last year.

Highland (Judge: D Ormiston, Ballater). Champion – D and B MacNaughton, Kelty with Rhibinn Gael of Rannoch, the 2017 junior champion at the Stars of the Future. She is by Reich of Rannoch and out of an Islay-bred cow. Reserve – M and S Nairn, Balnabroich, Strathardle, with Aimee Ruadh 5 of Balnabroich, a two-year-old heifer by Cliadhamh Mor of Balmoral, out of Aimee Ruadh 2 of Roisbheinn, that stood first at the Black Isle last year. Bull, three-year-old heifer, pair – D and B MacNaughton. Two-year-old heifer – M and S Nairn. Yearling heifer – W Lawson, Rahalloch, Windsole, Auchterarder.

Limousin (Judge: M Irvine). Champion and reserve and inter-breed beef pair - J Thomson, Hilton of Beath, Kelty, with Beath Orion, a 13-month-old bull by Mereside Lorenzo, out of last year’s West Fife Show champion, Beath Fantastic, paraded by young Beth Thomson. Standing reserve for the 15-cow herd and making up the half of the inter-breed team along with the champion was Beath Nashville, a two-year-old heifer by Foxhillfarm Jasper out of Burndale Freesia. All classes – J Thomson.

Cross cattle (Judge: M Durno, Ballindalloch). Champion – WA Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff, with Islay Malt, a 13-month-old Charolais cross heifer bred by Bob Cunninghame, Islay but bought at the YFC Cale Calf Show from Hugh McKinnon, Tiree. She is by Retties Lorenzo and out of a Limousin cross cow. Reserve – B Duffton, Huntly and Miss R Stewart, Insch, with a Limousin cross steer. Cross heifer with calf teeth, cross heifer born between Sept 1, 2018 and Dec 31, 2018, bullock pair, group of three – WA Peters. Heifer born after Dec 31, 2018, steer born between Sept 1, 2018 and Dec 31, 2018, steer born after Dec 31, 2018, any other continental cross bullock calf teeth – D and P Blair, Little Inch, Balmerino. Lim cross bullock with calf teeth – B Duffton, Huntly and R Stewart, Insch

Holstein (Judge: S Wilson, Glasgow). Champion and reserve and inter-breed dairy - J and I Wilson, Carskerdo, Cupar. Supreme was the French-bred third calver, Lieu Thomain Beaute by De Su Bkm McCutchen, out of Dkr Beijos. She was bought privately in 2017 and since calving in January is now giving 56litres per day. The family were reserve with Espland Monterey, a heifer in milk by View-Home Monterey out of the Ex-classified Espland Sprite. Calved in September and giving 34litres. Calf, maiden heifer, bred production – J Lyle and Co, Nether Pratis, Leven. Heifer in milk, cow in milk, inter-breed group of three, inter-breed pair – J and I Wilson.

Any other dairy breed (Judge: S Wilson). Champion and reserve and reserve inter-breed dairy – B Lawson and Sons, North Cassingray, with British Friesians. Champion the third calved British Friesian, Lismulligan Priscilla 53 Ex91, a Winnoch Umpire-sired cow out of the former three times National Show champion, Lismulligan Priscilla 41. First here last year, she calved two months previous and is giving 40litres. Reserve was the seven-month-old British Friesian heifer, Lismulligan Aster 3, by Carrickshock GTW. All classes – B Lawson and Sons.

Young handlers (Judge: S Wilson). Dairy – 1, Ramsay Adamson; 2, Ruaridh Lawson; 3, Finlay Scott. Beef – Under 12yrs – 1, Cameron Harrison; 2, Finlay Harrison; 3, Grace Wood. 12-18yrs – 1, Beth Thomson; 2, A Downie; 3, Ruby Simpson.

Clydesdale horse (Judge: M Bedford). Champion – Miss C Young, Hall Stud, Ayr, with Collessie Flash Girl, a three-year-old mare by Arradoul Balvennie bred from Old Greenlaw Jura. A well known champion winner as a foal, she was breed leader at Perth in 2018 and reserve female at the Stallion Show earlier this year. Charlotte also won the single and pairs turnouts although the reserve turnouts was won by Annette Noble, Penicuik. Reserve – RH Black, Newton of Collessie, Ladybank, Cupar, with Collessie Kirsty, a yearling filly by Collessie Challenger out of Collessie Jennifer. She was champion at the Aberdeen Spring Show at Thainstone on her sole previous outing. Gelding – A Noble, Peggyslea, Ninemileburn, Penicuik. Yeld mare – C Young. Yearling filly – RH Black. Young handlers – Sara Donald. Riddden – Rick Doughty.

Highland ponies in-hand (Judge: Mrs V Fletcher, Kippen). Champion – Mrs C Rafferty, with Margaret of Meggernie, a yeld mare and well-known show winner by Tower Clyde out of Riona of Croila, shown by Jo Jack. Reserve – W Taylor, Sunnyneuk, Kellock Lane, Strathkinness, with Charley of Sunnyneuk, a yearling by Lochlands Military Piper out of Rheanna of Sunnyneuk. Senior gelding – A Munro.Yeld mare – Mrs C Rafferty. Yearling – W Taylor. Mare with foal, foal – Mrs C Lackie.

Shetland ponies in-hand (Judge: Mrs J Jones, Buxted (miniature) and Mrs M Sargeant, Champlers (standard)). Champion standard – J Watson, Jedburgh, with Kerloch Rupert, a Stow Review-sired stallion out of Burnbank Veda, that boasts numerous championships to include reserve overall horse at the Aberdeen Spring Show in February and breed leader at Ayr. Reserve – Mrs S Bridgeman, with Achramore Ebony Rose, a young filly by Eynhallow Dutch Prince out of Achramore Rock on Ruby. She was junior champion and the Central Scotland show last year. Miniature champion – Lynda Cochrane with Parlington Viola, a mare that was champion at the Spring Show in February and reserve at Kittochside last year. She is by Parlington Maverick and out of Parlington Fay. Standard mare, mare and foal – Donna Lochtie. Yearling, senior stallion or gelding – J Watson. Two/three-year-old – Mrs S Bridgeman. Miniature mare – Lynda Cochrane. Miniature foal – Mr and Mrs F Andrews. Two/three-year-old – Amy McConville. Senior miniature male – Christine Harley. Junior young handlers and reserve – Erin Keith. Senior young handlers and champion – Amy Hogg

Border Leicester (Judge: J Douglas, Fraserburgh) Champion – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth, Pitscottie, Cupar, with a previously unshown gimmer by Ditton Dambuster out of a home-bred former show ewe. Reserve – E Mill, Shawsmill, Cardenden, Lochgelly, with the second prize gimmer to the champion. Didcot-bred, she was bought at Lanark last year as a ewe lamb and is by Muirmonth Show Time out of a Didcot-bred ewe. Aged ram, tup lamb – R Brown, Rose Cottage, Radernie, Cupar. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, group of three – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth.

Suffolk (Judge: J Douglas) Champion and reserve inter-breed shep – S Lathangie, Pyeston, Glenrothes, for the third year in succession, this time with a January-born tup lamb by the 3000gns Castleisle Calvin Klein, out of a home-bred ewe by Solwaybank Titan. He is destined for the breed sale at Stirling in July. Reserve – S Craft, Little Balquhomrie, Leslie, showing for the first time at Fife. His champion was a gimmer from his Lakeview flock purchased last year from Gary Beacom. She is by Rookery Rodeo and out of a Lakeview Strathbogie Jackpot – one of 100 ewes owned by Mr Craft of the Lakeview prefix. Aged ram – Faith Miskelly, Corrybrae, Kildrummy, Alford. Tup lamb, ewe, group of three – S Lathangie. Gimmer – S Craft. Ewe lamb – G Mackie, Drimmie, Rescobie, Forfar. Untrimmed Suffolk lambs – L Learmonth, Wester Oathlaw, Oathlaw, Forfar.

Texel (Judge: J Black, Lockerbie). Champion and inter-breed sheep and reserve – R Cockburn, Hill of Errol, Errol, Perth. Supreme overall was a previously unshown gimmer by the 32,000gns Mullan Amigo, out of a ewe by Ettrick Van Goch that was champion here in 2017. Standing reserve for the 40-ewe flock that runs alongside 120 Blackfaces and 400 commercial ewes was a one-crop ewe by the 60,000gns Clinterty Yuga Khan that was champion and inter-breed sheep at Stirling last year and first at Lesmahagow. She is out of another ewe by Ettrick Van Goch. Aged ram – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth, Cupar. Tup lamb – DJ McKerrow, Nochnary, Freuchie. EWe, gimmer, ewe lamb, group of three – R Cockburn.

Any other breed (Judge: J Black) Champion – RH Black, Newton of Collessie, Ladybank, with Collessie Daisy, a Beltex gimmer on her first outing by Tiptop Bob, out of a Rathbone-bred ewe. Reserve – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth, Cupar, with a home-bred one-crop Beltex ewe on her first outing. She is by Bishops Bill and Ben and out of a home-bred ewe. Aged ram, ewe, group of three – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth. Tup lamb – D Miskelly, Corrybrae, Alford. Gimmer – RH Black. Ewe lamb – R Dewey, Lathockar Mains, St Andrews.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: D Moir, Fraserburgh) Champion – C Jackson, Headlind Pedigree Livestock, Lanark, exhibiting for the first time at Fife. His champion, owned in partnership with his brother Ali and their father Alan, was a ewe hogg bought at Stirling in January from Jamie Pirie, Blarnavaid, after standing champion. She is by Midlock Hotshot and out of a Blarnavaid ewe by a Firth sire. Reserve – G Milne, Kinaldy, St Andrews, with a mid-March-born tup lamb by an SP Dalpeddar tup bought at Hawes out of a home-bred ewe by a Midlock sire. Aged ram, tup lamb, ewe – G Milne. Ewe hogg – C Jackson.

Cheviot (Judge: D Allen, Alnwick). Champion – H McCulloch, Over Hillhouse, Armadale, exhibiting sheep for the first time and for the first time at Fife. His champion, a ewe hogg bought last year at Lairg from South Balkeith, in a pen of 25, was shown by shepherd and stockman, Cameron Jackson. Reserve – G Milne, Kinaldy, St Andrews, with a seven-year-old five-crop home-bred ewe by Synton the Duke, out of a home-bred ewe. Aged ram, gimmer – R McCulloch. Tup lamb – B Lang, Uplands, Middlefield, Cupar. Ewe, group of three – G Milne, Kinaldy, St Andrws.

Half-bred (Judge: D Moir). Champion and reserve – I Wilson, Upper Coullie Farmhouse, Fordoun, Laurencekirk. Section winner was a gimmer bought at St Boswells last year from Stobshiels while the reserve was the second prize gimmer, also bought from Stobshiels at the same sale. All classes – I Wilson.

Crosses (Judge: D Moir). Champion – J Orr, Foodie, Cupar, with a pen of three home-bred gimmers by a Milnbank Texel sire bought from Mike Black, out of Texel cross Beltex ewes. They were on their first outing. Reserve – J Messenger, Ayton, Abernethy, Perth, with a home-bred two-crop Suffolk cross Half-bred ewe with twin March-born Beltex cross lambs at foot by a home-bred sire. Three cross-bred gimmers, cross female with lamb – J Orr. Down cross female with lamb, ewe with pair of lambs – J Messenger.

Prime lambs (Judge: D Moir). Champion – G Whyte, Lintibert, Muthill, Crieff, showing here for the first time, with a pair of end of March-born Beltex cross ewe lambs by a Cuiltburn-bred tup bought privately, out of home-bred Texel cross Beltex ewes. They were on their first outing. Reserve – J Messenger, Ayton, with the second prize winners to the champion which were also March born and bred from a Cuiltburn-bred tup bought privately. Lambs by native sire – K, A and J Robertson, Over Baldinnie, Cupar. Lambs by continental sire – G Whyte.

Shetland (Judge: P Cowan, Bishop Auckland). Champion – A and A Arbuckle and Ms S Meikle, Kirkliston, with Brae Xanta, a home-bred coloured one-crop ewe by Howburn’s Jack out of Brae Xia that was coloured champion and reserve overall here last year. Reserve – A Hill and K Sharp, Ewingston, Humbie, with a white Island-bred shearling ram. White ram, coloured gimmer – A Hill and K Sharp. Coloured ram, white tup lamb, group of three – J, C and R Steven, Rosebank, Currie. Coloured tup lamb – F and A Hipwell, Wester Cockairney, Kinross. White ewe – Mrs R Douglas, Cedar Cottage, Craigrothie. Coloured ewe, white gimmer, coloured ewe lamb – A and M Arbuckle and Ms S Meikle, Bowling Green Road, Kirkliston. White ewe lamb – M Hunter.

Jacob (Judge: Mrs G Fletcher, Roundwood). Champion and National Show champion – G Connor and S Dalrymple, Dun-mor, Bridgend, Linlithgow, with a two-crop ewe bought at the Welsh show and sale at Llandovery, from Lyndon Trumper and Sons’ Beiliau flock, as a ewe lamb after standing reserve champion. She is by Hyndshaw Ivan, out of a Beiliau ewe and was on her first outing since. Reserve – R Locker, Greenlaw Mill, Greenlaw, with a home-bred gimmer that was placed at the Highland and stood first at Kelso, last year. She is by the AI sire, Hope Rocky and out of a home-bred ewe.

Sheep young handlers (Judge: A Campbell, Lochgoilhead). Champion – Faith Miskelly with a Suffolk lamb. Reserve – Harry Colinson with a North Country Cheviot lamb.