History was made at Harrogate on Wednesday, when a Dutch Spotted ewe was supreme sheep champion for the first time.
The breed which originates from Holland where the breed can be traced back to before World War One, has only been introduced to the UK in the past couple of years, but such as been the interest in this new sheep that the society boasts more than 100 members with in excess of 1000 registrations.
"The champion is a fantastic sheep with a great carcase, shape and tremendous character," said the overall judge, Roderick, Rocket Runciman, who admitted this was the first time he'd ever seen the breed.
"I wasn't judging the breeds, I was judging the sheep and she's (the champion) the best animal in the ring. She's not too big, not too wee and she's tremendous on her legs," added Mr Runciman who found his reserve overall in the Texel champion, a ewe lamb.
Taking the show by storm was Tiptop Hannah, an imported Dutch Texel two-crop ewe from Ali Jackson, Maulscastle, Dumfriesshire. Previously unshown, this cracker from the 10-ewe Tiptop flock was originally bought at the society's selection day as a ewe lamb in 2017 and is backed by Dutch genetics on both sides.
Reserve overall was the Texel best from Procters Farm, Slaidburn, shown by Jeff and Jennifer Aiken. Backed, a son of by the best of genetics on both sides, this second prize winner from the Highland is a daughter of the 100,000gns Sportsmans Batman, bred from a show gimmer by Teiglum Young Gun.
She later teamed up with the male champion amongst the Texels to win the inter-breed pairs title, also judged by Mr Runciman. This was a ram lamb from Robert and Ryan Bradley's Far-hey flock, a son of the 15,000gns Auldhouseburn Bolt, on his first outing.
Coming a close second in the pairs was the Charollais duo, made up of the champion, Russell Gray's home-bred two-crop ewe from Langside, which stood reserve in the terminal sire inter-breed competition and the male best, Steven and Jonathan Norman's shearling ram bought from Myfyr Evan's Rhaeadr flock as a tup lamb at Worcester, last year.
Inter-breed hill champion was Willie Thomson's North Country Cheviot champion, a home-bred three-crop ewe from Hownam Grange, Kelso, that bagged the breed title and reserve supreme sheep title at the Highland.
North Country Cheviot
A mother and daughter duo from a father and son team, produced two of the top four champions to include the supreme overall in the Cheviot lines, judged by Caithness breeder, Jonnie Campbell.
Show stopper for Willie Thomson and his father Jimmy, who run 500 park-type ewes and 900 hill-type Cheviots, was Hownam Grange Victoria, a home-bred two-crop ewe by Wandylaw Scrumpyjack out of Durran Peebles-sired ewe. Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep at the Highland, this big girl boasts several show championships to include champion of champions at Glendale Show last year and supreme female here in 2017.
A breeder into the bargain, her gimmer daughter bagged the reserve female honours for the flock from Hownam Grange, Kelso. Placed at the Highland, she is by Synton Vesper, a £2800 purchase at Lockerbie in 2017 that stood champion at the Border Union Show last year.
Also flying the flag for Scotland was the first prize tup lamb from Fife breeder, Allan Grant which went on to lift the reserve male honours. Previously unshown, he is by Cairnside Wonderboy, a £2000 purchase at Quoybrae last year, out of a Wemyss Castle-bred ewe bought privately by a Durran sire.
Last year’s breed winner, an aged ram from Keith Stones and family, this time had to settle with the reserve honours. Belmaduthy Van Dijk, a three-shear ram, shown by Annie and Mary Stones, Nun Cote Nook, Marrick, Richmond, was bought at Lockerbie from Ross-shire breeder Joanna McCallum in 2017, and is by Allanshaws Rockafella out of a Gospelhall Pick Me-sired ewe. Reserve overall sheep at Ryedale, he also made up part of the inter-breed group of three at Masham.
Charollais
What started out as a holiday in 2017 and ended up with a breed championship has become an annual event for Russell and Margaret Russell when they won their second breed title at Harrogate.
The couple who own the Leeway flock from Langside, Kirkfieldbank, led this year’s bumper line-up with a home-bred one-crop ewe by Oakchurch Ozil – the twice inter-breed champion winner at the Highland Show in 2015, out of a Leeway ewe by Banwy Moonshine. A red ticket holder from the Highland, she also stood first here as a ewe lamb.
Leeway genetics were also behind reserve male shown by Hannah Sloan and her parents David and Helen, Dumfries. Their two-shear ram Leeway Supersonic, was bought privately from the Grays after standing first in his class here as a tup lamb. Reserve at Ayr, he is also by Oakchurch Ozil.
Judge Bruce Ingram, Inverurie, presented the reserve overall to the runner up amongst the females. This was a home-bred gimmer from deadweight livestock agent, Kenton Foster from Leyburn. Second here last year, she is by Galtress tup bought at Worcester and out of a home-bred ewe.
Topping the males for Steven and Jonathan Norman’s Normans flock from Cockermouth, was a shearling ram bought last year from Myfyr Evans’ Rhaeadr flock from Wales at Worcester for 1300gns. He is by Ballyhibben Soft Touch and was on his first outing since the sale.
Texels
Lambs took the top awards in the male and the female lines amongst the busy Texel lines with a ewe lamb from the Procters flock, Slaidburn, eventually tapped out supreme.
Securing a third championship and a second in succession here for the 60-ewe Texel flock managed by Jeff and Jennifer Aiken, was a daughter of the 100,000gns Sportsmans Batman bought last year at Carlisle. Second at the Highland, she is bred from a show gimmer by the 70,000gns Teiglum Young Gun.
The Clarks from Garngour, Lesmahagow, picked up the blue and white sash amongst the females and the reserve overall with a home-bred gimmer that was champion at Lesmahagow last year. She is by the 15,000gns Knock Yardsman while her dam, a show ewe is a full sister to Teiglum Young Gun.
Auldhouseburn genetics were behind the top two males, both of which were tup lambs. Champion from father and son duo, Robert and Ryan Bradley of the Far-hey flock was a previously unshown son of the 15,000gns Auldhouseburn Bolt, bought last year at Carlisle, out of a ewe by Glenside Wee Willy Winkie.
Runner up was a tup lamb from Keith, Allan and Roy Campbell’s Cowal flock from Lochgoilhead, by the 75,000gns Auldhouseburn Boss. He is bred from a Knap gimmer by Clintery Yuga Khan, of which a half share was bought privately from Robert Cockburn.
Aberdeenshire breeder, Melvin Stuart, made his mark in the busy Suffolk lines, providing Andrew and Abbie Tooze, with their first red, white and blue sash at the Harrogate event.
The couple who run 20 Suffolks in their Carnforth flock based near Carnwath, Lanarkshire, triumphed with a home-bred gimmer by the 7000gns Crewelands Crete, a tup bought in 2016 at Stirling, bred from a Carnforth ewe by Errigal Enterprise. She was placed at the Highland.
Father and son duo, Keith and Graham Denby landed the reserve honours with their male champion, Errigal Equalizer – the champion winner at the Border Club Show. This shearling ram bought last year at Stirling from Irish breeder, Seamus Brown, is by Lakeview Heart of Gold, the record priced Suffolk ram sold in Ireland at 13,500gns, bred from an Errigal daughter of a 4500gns Conveth ewe.
Young breeders, Jack and Tom Buckle and father Kevin, not only notched up their fourth breed championship amongst the busy Beltex lines, but also produced the reserve female.
Star attraction here was a home-bred shearling ram on his show debut. The combination of some pretty old genetics, he is got by frozen semen from Glantre Norris onto Ardstewart Lord Almighty daughter, Woodies Natasha – the exact same combination which produced the judge, Stuart Wood’s show winning Woodies Rice Crispie sold some years ago.
The boys from Buckles farm Kirkby Stephen, picked up the blue and white sash amongst the females with a former champion winner here, College Adele, a four-crop ewe bred by Ted Fox bought at the flock dispersal for 8500gns. She is by Kingledores Trojan and out of College Rose.
Harrison and Hetherington auctioneer, Jimmy Little, was another with plenty to smile about when a previously unshown ewe lamb from his 40-ewe Skiddawview flock provided him with the female championship and reserve overall – his best result yet in three years exhibiting here. A daughter of Ardstewart Coyote – a tup bought for 14,000gns in partnership with James Whiteford, last year – she is bred from a home-bred ewe by Skiddawview Trapper which originally sold to the Corstane flock and was sold the following year as a shearling for 5000gns.
Reserve male was the tup lamb, Hillview Enforcer from Neil and Jane Noble, Cleveland. Champion at North Yorkshire Show, he is by Matts Superman and bred from Hillview Apricot.
A suckled gimmer from Peter Turnbull, Whitby, was crowned overall champion amongst a small but select line-up of Blackface sheep. She is by a £5000 Carrick ram owned in partnership with Townfoot.
Just pipped at the post was the male champion, a home-bred shearling ram from HW and GW Birbeck, Kirkby Stephen, which went on to lift the reserve supreme. He is by an Ivor Allomby ram bought at Hexham.
There were celebrations all round when first time exhibitor, Jack Buckles from Kirkby Stephen, landed both the champion and the reserve honours.
The youngster who runs just seven ewes and earlier in the day assisted in bringing out two of the family’s top four champion winners amongst the Beltex, topped the Blues with a home-bred four-crop ewe. Placed at the Highland and inter-breed sheep champion at a local show last year, this big girl is by Riddings Domino, a tup gifted to Jack by his grand-father, James Porter. The dam, a Midlock-bred ewe bought at Carlisle as a gimmer for 3000gns is by the B4 Tanhouse and bred from a ewe by Midlock Controversy.
Following her to lift the reserve overall was the trophy for the second best female, was a gimmer bought at Carlisle in January for £2800 from Martin Allen, Greenhowe. She is by a £24,000 Riddings and was champion at Eastgates and placed at the Highland.
Male champion was a shearling ram from John Stott and Son, Land Farm.
Jacob
A red letter day for Gavin and Becky Haworth from Skipton saw a first Yorkshire Show championship for their Hurrsdale flock in 15 years exhibiting.
Going straight to the top here was a four-crop ewe by Blackbrook Don’t Push It, a ram bought privately in partnership with Robert Locker, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve female here last year, she boasts several prize rosettes up and down the country and is a former champion at Gargrave and reserve female at Stafford.
Following on behind, the male champion from Jerry Strong and Lorna Hendey, was the two-shear ram, Elmley Trump. Champion at Staffords and Moreton in Marsh, this home-bred tup from Pershore, Worces, is by Golbiath Star, a tup used on loan, out of a home-bred ewe.
Narrowly missing out on the top spots, Gordon Connor and Scot Dalrymple, Linlithgow, picked up the blue and white rosette amongst the males with Dun-Mor ET, a home-bred shearling ram from prize winning Dun-Mor stock. He is by the former Highland Show champion, Dun-Mor Ace, out of a home-bred show gimmer and picked up the same award at the Highland and the reserve at Haddington.
A Whatmore gimmer bought privately as a lamb from Steve and Sara Gibbon’s went all the way to bag the breed championship for new breeders Chris and Laura Beck, Halesworth, Suffolk.
Supreme sheep at both Newark and Suffolk and breed leader at the Royal Norfolk, this cracker from the couple who also own pedigree Limousin and Beltex, is by Whatmore Siren out of Whatmore Rose.
Dumfriesshire sparky, Kev Watret, Maulscastle won the male championship and reserve overall with a two-shear ram by Hackney Yardman out of a Corra ewe. He was male champion at the Highland and breed leader at Cumberland. He also bred the reserve male, a tup lamb out of an imported ewe and on his first outing.
Paul and Christine Tippets’ Hackney flock from Shropshire, shown by Aled Groucott, landed the reserve female with the second prize gimmer to the champion. Breed leader at the Royal Welsh last year, this cracker is by Joe’s Alvin – a former champion winner and the 18,000gns record priced ram – out of Hackney Yikes.
Dutch Spotted
First time breed exhibitor, Ali Jackson who owns the Tiptop flock in Dumfriesshire along with silent partner Kev Watret, took this new section by storm winning not only the breed championship but also the male title.
The breed's national show, this was the first time Dutch Spotted had their own classes at the Yorkshire with the section, judged by James Whiteford, Brampton, attracting one of the biggest entries at just shy of 100. Such has been the interest in the breed in recent years that the society now boasts more than 100 members with in excess of 1000 registrations.
Show stopper here from Ali, who also brings out Mr Watret's British Blue and Limousin cattle was an imported ewe on her show debut. Later christened Tiptop Hannah after his fiance Hannah Sloan, she was bought at the society's selection open day in 2017 after being imported as ewe lamb and is by a Dutch ram, out of a Dutch ewe.
Male champion and reserve supreme was an imported shearling ram, bought from Dutch breeder, Sjoerd Van Der Spruit, who owns a dairy farm just outside Stranraer and brought his sheep over with him. He also boasts Dutch genetics on both sides.
Breed secretary, Pam Parker who owns the Lochlad flock from Lockerbie, also had due cause to celebrate when she won the reserve male trophy with Lochlad Bespoke, a son of the male champion here in 2017, Hiroshima of Lochlad, bred from the female champion the same year, Fleecity of Lochlad.
An all Scottish haul, saw the reserve female go to a gimmer from the Hiddleston family, Dumfries. She was bought at the society's selection sale day last year
Border Leicesters made a welcome return to the main rings at Harrogate with breed classes for an increased entry and a win for new breeder, young Robbie Aiken (10), Procters Fam, Slaidburn.
Going all the way for this youngster who regularly picks up top awards in young handlers’ competitions, was a gimmer bought privately from Jimmy Douglas’ Clola flock from Fraserburgh. By Muirmouth Mustang and out of a Clola ewe, this entry which was placed at the Highland is one of six breeding females owned by the youngster who owns the new up and coming Springview flock.
Northumberland breeder and past president Neil Howie bagged both the reserve female and reserve overall and the award for the runner up amongst the males. Mr Howie, who said membership had increased to 180 recently, lifted the reserve supreme with a March-born ewe lamb by Westforth Barbarian – a 1900gns purchase at Lanark last year. Previously unshown, she is bred from a home-bred ewe by Eildon The Hirsel – one of 40 ewes in the Lyham flock.
Reserve male was a tup lamb bred the same way as the ewe lamb on his mother’s side, but sired by the late Jackie Harrison’s Lammermuir Moonshine.
Jennifer Brown’s Millmoor flock from Lanarkshire, was also in the tickets, lifting the reserve honours amongst the males with Lyham Arizona, a two-shear ram bought from Mr Howie at Kelso last year. Reserve at Lesmahagow and third at the Highland, this big tup is by Llan Lucky Strike.
A massive entry of Zwartbles – judged by Matthew Simpson, Kilmarnock - was topped by the female champion, a three-crop ewe from Caroline Anderson’s Wllridge Moor flock from Northumberland.
Penllyn Chickpea, which was bought as a ewe lamb at Welshpool, is by Cynefin Wennol, out of a Penllyn ewe and stood champion at Northumberland and first at the Three Counties.
The same flock also scooped the top award amongst the boys with a January-born ram lamb by Wallacetown Fenton, a tup bought privately from Colin and Sam Rae. He is out of Cynefin Daisy, bought as a ewe lamb at Stirling
Reserve here was the runner-up female, a home-bred gimmer from Peter and Susan Addison’s Hayberries flock that is a full sister to their reserve here in 2018. Placed at the Highland, she is by Beechhead Chancellor, the champion winner here in 2016, out of Andrew Baillie’s show female, Broomfield Beauty which was bought for 2100gns at Carlisle.
A shearling ram bred by Ian Donald of the Donbraid flock, but shown by Colin Millburn, of Norton Zwartbles was second best amongst the males. He was on his first outing since being bought at Carlisle last year.
Hillend Edward, a three-shear ram on his show debut, won the tri-colour amongst a massive line-up of Shetland sheep which included more than a 100 entries.
The coloured tup from Bishop Auckland breeder, Philip Cowan who was winning a fourth breed title here for the Wadley flock, was bred by Lesley Beazer and bought at a show and sale at Sedgemoor in 2017.
Former Dumfries and indeed Ayrshire-based breeder, Lenice Bell who now lives in Devon, won the reserve overall with a home-bred coloured two-crop ewe. Todhill Bilberry is by Hillend Zulu, a tup used on loan and out of Todhill Rosie, a former champion winner at Mid Devon, North Devon and Oakhampton Shows.
Flying the flag for Scotland, Andrew Bain, Tranent, East Lothian, took the blue and white ribbons amongst the boys with Greenacre Gizmo, a home-bred white shearling ram by Greenacre Merlin, out of a home-bred ewe.
Ryeland
First time exhibitors, Eddie and Janice Henderson, from Kinross, had plenty to celebrate amongst the Ryelands winning both the male championship and the supreme overall and the reserve female.
Show stopper for this small flock of 12 white ewes was the male champion from the Highland, Landriggs Yogi, a home-bred shearling son of the retained Landriggs X Special tup, bred from a home-bred ewe by Mansel Pride.
Adding to their big success, the couple also bagged the reserve female honours with a Landriggs gimmer that was first at the Highland and reserve at the Lesmahagow.
Alison Robinson, Wigton in Cumbria, lifted the female champion and reserve overall with an end of January born ewe lamb that was first at the Three Counties. She is by Grinkle Zander, a tup bought at York, and out of a home-bred ewe.
Coloured Ryeland champion was Annabel Burton's home-bred gimmer from the Ryeside flock from York. She is sired by Kilton Hercules and out of a Broomwell ewe bought privately from Dumfriesshire breeder, Susan Bryden.
Clydesdale horses
Young Charlotte Young came up trumps to win a third championship amongst the Clydesdales winning this time with the yearling bay filly, Doura Dynamite.
Backed from champion winners at the Yorkshire on both sides, the youngster from Hall Stud, Ayr, is by Doura Aird Ambition, and out of Crossmakeevers Avril. Dynamite was best one-two-year old filly at the National Stallion Show in March.
Paul Bedford's yearling bay colt, Roughtland Refiner, by Arradoul Balvenie, from York, was reserve.
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