The Hunter family's first supreme championship

It was certainly a day to remember for the Hunter family – Stuart and Wendy, and sons Cameron and Finlay – from West Culsalmond, Insch, when they not only won their first championship and supreme sheep title, they also scooped the overall champion of champions with a home-bred Texel gimmer.

Add to that winning the champion and reserve honours in the any other continental sheep section with Blue Texels, the family had a fantastic day from start to finish.

It was their top Texel that proved the icing on the cake, when the overall judge, Louise Soutar, a veterinarian with the Thrums Vet Group, tapped her out as her choice of supreme.

“She’s a great representative of the breed, being a lovely working sheep with great conformation and without being overfat,” she said.

For the overall, Ms Soutar had to select between the supreme beef, sheep and horse winners, with her winner being a daughter of Strathbogie Yes Sir, bred from the family’s foundation ewe bought from the Rohan flock, at Lanark, five years ago. She was on her first outing this year having been reserve at Tarland, last year.

Gerald and Morag Smith, and son Dougie, also had a cracking day, scoring a hat-trick in winning their third supreme beef championship with a home-bred Simmental. Show stopper this time for the 230 mixed commercial and pedigree herd from Drumsleed, Laurencekirk, was the massive three-year-old stock bull, Drumsleed Hivy.

Male champion at the Highland and breed leader at Alyth, this big boy is by Haystar Cracker, a bull bought at the multi-breed sale at Stirling after standing pre-sale champion.

“The Simmental is an amazingly long bull with size and shape with his sheer power proving a winner for me, although it was very close” said the inter-breed cattle judge, Sandy Hunter, Huntly, who tapped out the commercial as his reserve winner.

This was Blair Duffton, and Rebecca Stuart’s unbeaten 22-month-old Limousin cross steer, Dancer, which was male champion and reserve overall at the Highland. Bred by Emily Jones and bought at Brecon last year for £2800, he is by Haltcliffe Choco and boasts numerous red tickets up and down the country.

Show stopper amongst the horses was Hamish Cameron’s Highland pony, Feorag of Turin Hill, a home-bred three-year-old filly by Glenbanchor Gillebrighde on her first outing since winning the Forfar Highland pony show as a yearling. Providing a first ever supreme horse title at Fettercairn for this well known breeder was a daughter of Maydew of Turin Hill, which notably scooped the breed title here in 2016 when shown with Feorag at foot.

Reserve horse was Lorna Gilbert’s multiple winner, Expensive Decision, a home-bred seven-year-old hunter gelding shown in hand. A former first prize winner at the Highland, this Hemmingway son boasts two supreme horse championships at Turriff and one at Banchory.

Back amongst the sheep, and it was also a good day for the Beltex breed with Graeme and Fiona Burke winning not only the reserve inter-breed honours – judged on a points system – but also the Agricar Trophy which this year was presented to the best inter-breed shearling ram.

Reserve overall was Pentland Dixie, a home-bred gimmer from the family’s 12-ewe flock from Brechin. Second in her class at the Highland, she is by Airyolland Wurzel and out of a home-bred show ewe by Kingledores Rascal.

A home-bred shearling destined for the breed sale at Carlisle next month scooped the second trophy. He is by Woodies Barbarian. Standing next in line to him was the Suffolk shearling and breed leader from Faith Miskelly, Alford.

LEADING awards

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: A Telford, Berwickshire). Champion and reserve – G and F Willox. Supreme and reserve native inter-breed beef champion was Carlhurlie Essence, a four-year-old cow with end of March-born bull calf at foot by Moncur Fergus. Essence, which was shown as a heifer after being bought at the herd dispersal as a yearling, is by Balmachie Black Bard and out of Carlhurlie Essendy. Standing reserve for the 16-cow herd was Cardenwell Bluebell, a home-bred in-calf two-year-old heifer by Burnside Jamie, out of Cardenwell Bracken. She was reserve at Tarland, last year and was paraded in calf to Moncur Fergus. Bull, junior heifer – K and M Howie, Banchory. Cow, senior heifer – G and F Willox.

Highland (Judge: A Telford). Champion and inter-breed native cattle champion – Grace Noble, Lochton of Leys, Banchory, with Domhnull of Strathellie, a three-year-old bought privately in October last year. He is by Eoin Mhor 2 of Muingairigh, out of Fiona 13 of Inversnaid amd was shown by stockman Ian Adams and Grace’s daughter Beth. Reserve – G Easton, The Ranch, Letham, with last year’s champion, Claira of Ubhaidh, a three-year-old heifer by Fergus of Ubhaidh out of Alice 1 of Earn. She was also junior female champion at the Highland in 2017. Senior bull – Grace fold. Junior bull, cow, calf – J and J Singer. Three-year-old heifer – Ranch/Earn fold. Two-year-old heifer – I Adams, Brathens fold. Yearling heifer – Blairodens fold.

Limousin (Judge: G Patterson, Keith). Champion and reserve – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Whitecairns, with home-bred entries. Champion was the breed leader at Alyth, Ritchies Oracle, a March 2018-born heifer by Rathconville Eugene, out of Dinmore Elle. Reserve was the January-born heifer calf, Ritchies Peryl by Carnew Millreef out of Ritchies Meryl, that was reserve at Alyth.

Simmental (Judge: G Patterson). Champion and inter-breed cattle champion – G and M Smith, Laurencekirk, with the three-year-old bull that was champion at the Alyth and male champion at the Highland. Drumsleed Hivy was securing a third inter-breed cattle title here for the mixed pedigree and commercial herd of 230 cows and is by Haystar Cracker, a bull bought at the May sale at Stirling after standing breed champion. He was shown by Anne MacPherson and Colin Fordyce and is out of Drumsleed Valonia. He is destined for the Scottish National Show at the Border Union. Reserve – Heather Duff, Pitmudie, Brechin with the home-bred heifer, Pitmudie Irish Mist, a November 2017-born entry by Hiltonstown Ferrari out of Delfur Bobette. A twin to a heifer, who stood second in her class at the Highland. Senior bull, junior bull – G and M Smith. Cow, heifer – Heather Duff.

Any other continental (Judge: G Patterson). Champion – S and K Smith, Portlethen, with the sole entry, Springfield Nina, a 145-month-old British Blue heifer bought at Carlisle in May for 2700gns. She is by Mannequin de Sberchamps and out of Springfield Juicy.

Cross cattle (Judge: C Douglas, Penrith). Champion and reserve overall cattle champion – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart, Huntly and Insch, with undefeated 22-month-old three-quarter-bred Limousin steer, Dancer. Male champion and reserve overall at the Highland, he is by Haltcliffe Choco and was bought at Brecon in the spring of 2018 at Brecon for £2800 from his breeder, Emily Jones. Reserve – B Paterson, Sauchen, with Tracy Jacks, a February-born Limousin cross heifer, by Lodge Hamlet bred by Craig Malone at Pitcairn, Lochgelly. She was bought at foot with her mother at Stirling, where they stood champion at the pre-sale show. Cow, heifer calf born before Jan 1, 2019 and after Sept 1, 2018 – I and G Grant. Cross calf born in 2019, bullock calf born before Jan 1 2019 and after Sept 1, 2018, heifer showing no more than two hard teeth – B Patterson. Yearling heifer, yearling bullock, pair yearling bullocks – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart.

Young handlers (Judge: S Hunter, Huntly). 1, Emma Smith; 2, Lexi Meldrum; 3, Eoin Middleton.

Shetland ponies (Judge: Mrs Eileen Carlyle, Lockerbie). Champion – T Stewart, Mawburn Shetlands, with the 10-year-old mare, Scapa of Auckhorn, a Millhouse Impressive daughter bought in July last year for Mr Stewart’s 60th birthday, from Julie Waller. She was champion at Braco in 2018, and was shown with end of April-born filly foal at foot. Reserve – Donna Lochtie, with Hawkdale Dixie, a 13-year-old mare bought for Donna’s 21st birthday in foal. A former female champion at the Highland and placed there again this year, Dixie also boasts two championships at the Black Isle. She is by Roseremus of Transy. Senior mare or gelding – Donna Lochtie. Brood mare with foal – Mawburn Shetlands. Foal, two or three-year-old – Eynhallow Stud. Yearling – Lorraine Gillies. Coloured – Mawcarse Shetlands. Under saddle – Suzanne Craighead. Miniature – Wendy Irons.

Highland ponies (Judge: Mrs JK Jack). Champion and supreme horse – JPG Cameron, Forfar, winning his first inter-breed horse title at Fettercairn. His champion was the home-bred three-year-old filly Feorag of Turin Hill which was shown alongside her mother, Maydew of Turin Hill, when she scooped the breed title here in 2016. A daughter of Glenbanchar Gillebrighde, Feorag was on her first outing since standing champion at the Forfar Highland Pony Show as a yearling. Reserve – K Lawson and W Sinclair, with the second prize winner to the champion, Loandhu Primrose, a three-year-old filly bought from Alan Munro. She was third at the Highland last month on her sole previous outing and is by Whitefield Prince Rose. Senior – Sharon Hutcheon. Yearling – K Lawson and W Sinclair. Three-year-old – JPG Cameron.

Clydesdales (Judge: T Brewster, Crieff). Champion – Bogton Clydesdales, with the yearling filly, Bogton Kinder, a daughter of Muirton Sabre out of Bogton Grace, shown by Sandy Aitken. She was placed at Alyth. Reserve – J Gibb, with the eight-year-old gelding, Collessie Full Monty, a multiple champion winner having led the breed at Tarland, Echt, New Deer and Turriff. He is by Collessie Stepping Stone, out of Sandhill Ellie May and was on his first outing of the year. Yearling, young handlers – Bogton Clydesdales. Senior gelding, two-year-old – J Gibb

Blackface (Judge: M Simpson, Blairgowrie). Champion – R Holman-Baird, Riccarton Estate, with a two-crop ewe by a Greenside son of The Hustler bought at Stirling, out of a former reserve winner here. She was shown by shepherd Steve Alexander and stood first at Fettercairn and at Turriff, as a gimmer. Reserve – P Myles, Dalbog, with a previously unshown tup lamb by a Billy Grant-bred ram bought at Ballymena in 2015 which is still going strong and stood champion here in 2015. He is out of a home-bred ewe by Woolfords Bulldozer. Aged ram, ewe, gimmer – R Holman-Baird. Shearling ram, tup lamb, ewe lamb – P Myles.

Suffolk (Judge: R Greig, Ellon). Champion and reserve for the Agricar trophy – Faith Miskelly (12), Alford, with a Banview-bred shearling ram bought last year at Stirling for her 12-ewe Corrybrae flock. He is by Harpercroft Triple Crown and stood champion at Alyth and second at the Highland. Reserve – C Paterson, Aberchirder, with a two-crop ewe by Muirton One Direction, out of a home-bred ewe by Strathisla Spielberg that was reserve at Keith last year. He was on his first outing of the year from the Cranorskie flock. Aged ram, tup lamb – JA Lorimer. Ewe – C Paterson. Shearling ram – F Miskelly. Gimmer – P and G Troup, Skene. Ewe lamb – G Christie, Inverurie.

Jacob (Judge: W Crowe, Friockheim). Champion and reserve – A Christie, Huntly. Supreme was a four-horned ewe lamb that was female champion and reserve overall at the Highland. She is by Hope Knockout, a tup bought at St Boswells in 2016, out of a Millvale-bred ewe. Reserve was the sire, a multiple winning four horned three-shear ram by Hyndshaw Highland Laddie. Aged ram, ewe, ewe lamb – A Christie. Shearling ram, gimmer – Barbara Webster. Tup lamb – Linda McKendrick.

AOB native sheep (Judge: R Morris, Stirling). Champion – D and B Henderson, Nether Toucks, with the female champion Lleyn and reserve overall from the Highland, a home-bred ewe by a Netherton sire, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – K Neil, Carnoustie, with a North Country Cheviot ewe lamb by Kinaldy SAS, a tup bought privately in 2016, out of a Smerlie-bred ewe bought privately from Andrew Coulson. She was placed at the Highland. Aged ram, shearling ram, ewe – D and B Henderson. Tup lamb – Diana Milligan. Gimmer, ewe lamb – Kirsty Neil.

Beltex (Judge: G Ireland, Huntly). Champion and reserve overall sheep – G and F Burke, Brechin, with Pentland Dixie, a home-bred gimmer by Airyolland Wurzel, out of a Kingledores Rascal-sired home-bred show ewe. She was second at the Highland and is one of only 12 breeding females in the Pentland flock. The flock also scooped the Agricar Trophy which goes round the various classes in the sheep section and this year was awarded for the inter-breed shearling ram. This was with a home-bred shearling ram by Woodies Barbarian, out of a home-bred ewe by Broxty Supreme. Reserve – A Alston, Brechin, with a one-crop ewe on her first outing by Kingledores Rascal, out of a home-bred ewe.

Texel (Judge: D Clark, Lesmahagow). Champion and supreme sheep – WJ and M Hunter, Insch, with a home-bred gimmer by Strathbogie Yes Sir, bred from the flock’s foundation ewe, a Rohan-bred female by Strathbogie Stud bought at Lanark five years ago that has since bred gimmers to 3000gns and a tup lamb sold to the Springwell flock. The gimmer was reserve at Tarland last year. Reserve – F Dandie, with a February-born ram lamb by Knock Yankie, bred from a Milnbank ewe bought at Stirling in 2016, by Glenside Valhalla. She was reserve at Alyth. Aged ram – Deevalley Texels. Shearling ram, gimmer – WJ and M Hunter. Tup lamb – F Dandie. Ewe – Jemma Green, Fochabers. Ewe lamb – K Duthie.

AOB continental sheep (Judge: S Wood, Skene). Champion and reserve – WJ and M Wood, Insch, with Blue Texels from their 20-strong ewe flock. Supreme was Hunters Bramble, a home-bred one-crop ewe that was reserve at Echt last year, by Dulas Axe out of an imported Millside ewe. Reserve was the sire, a three-shear ram by Dulas Xtreme that was male champion at Echt in 2018 and also bred the champion and reserve winner here last year along with daughters to 1000gns. Aged ram, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – WJ and M Hunter. Shearling ram – K Duthie. Tup lamb – P and G Troup.

Cross sheep (Judge: R Baynes, Inverness). Champion – D Black, Minard, with a pen of three Texel cross gimmers that stood second to his champion winners at Alyth. They were bought at Forfar in September from Messrs Shanks, Easter Cash. Reserve – Sarah Finnie with three Suffolk cross Texel two-crop ewes by Antara Untouchable, a home-bred ram retained for breeding. They were on their first outing. Single champion – I Wilson, Cupar, with a Stobshiels Mains-bred Half-bred gimmer bought at St Boswells, last year. She was champion Half-bred at Fife and commercial champion at the Highland. Three native-bred cross females – Sarah Finnie. Three continental cross females – D Black. Single ewe – G Breathet. Single gimmer – I Wilson.

Pets (Judge: S Wood, Skene). 1, Charlotte Riach (13), Banchory, with a Ryeland ewe lamb; reserve – P and G Troup; 3, Robert Mather.

Young handlers (Judge: G Ireland). 12 and under – 1, Faith Miskelly; 2, Finlay Hunter; 3, Izzy Jacobsen. 13-16 – 1, Finn Christie; 2, Rachel Burke; 3, Cameron Hunter.