I'll be There makes her mark for Blair and Rebecca

The heifer from Blair Dufton, Huntly – who was winning a ninth consecutive commercial championship here – and Rebecca Stuart, Insch, was selected supreme overall when competing against the inter-breed sheep, horse and goat best, selected by four section judges.

"The heifer is a fantastic animal – you can hardly fault her," said Ronnie Wilkie, the beef representative who was celebrating 62nd attendance at Echt Show. "She has a great backside, top line and she is very good on her legs," he added pointing out that the lead horse and sheep were placed joint reserve.

No stranger to the limelight, the overall champion was bought at the Spring Show at Thainstone in February for £4600 from the Robertsons at Fodderletter, after standing supreme champion that day. She was also champion at the Rising Stars calf show at the Thainstone Christmas Classic in December, having been bought by the Robertsons at breeding cattle sale at United Auctions, Stirling, as a calf at foot from Stuart Raeburn, Blantyre.

I'll be There, shown by William Moir, was on her first outing since the Spring Show, and was also providing a second overall championship at Echt for Mr Duffton.

The Hunter family from West Culsalmond, Insch – Stuart and Wendy and sons Cameron and Finlay, have been on a winning streak this year which continued at Echt. Having won their first championship and inter-breed title at Fettercairn the previous week with a Texel, they did the exact same here with a Blue Texel, which was any other continental leader at Fettercairn Show. Hunters Bramble, a home-bred one-crop ewe boasts some noted show and sale topping genetics, being sired by Dulas Axe, a three-shear ram which stood reserve at Fettercairn and has also bred females to 1000gns and male champions at Carlisle, while the dam is an imported ewe.

It was also a good day for the Suffolk breed and particularly for the Lorimer family – Stuart and Judith and daughter Hannah from Kingswells – who not only won their first supreme in 50 years exhibiting here, they also scooped the reserve inter-breed and supreme group of four.

Their show stopper, a home-bred gimmer that stood second at Fettercairn Show, is by Ballynacannon Boss and out of a ewe by Lakeview Laidlaw that was supreme sheep at Banchory in 2017. The winning group of four from the 40-ewe Cadgerford flock comprised an aged ram, and home-bred ewe, gimmer and ewe lamb.

The various breed judges found their reserve group of four in the Beltex quartet from Stuart Wood, Woolhillock, Skene.

Back amongst the cattle and the Davidsons from Corsairtly, Keith – Richard and Kathleen, son Richard and daughter Rachel – also won their first championship here with a home-bred Limousin bull. Corsairtly Oswald, a January 2018-born son of Ronick Inspector was placed at the Highland and is destined for the breed sales in October. He is out of Corsairtly Janelle – one of 100 cows in the herd – and went on to stand reserve beef champion by the panel of judges from the various breeds.

LEADING awards

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: C McCombie, Huntly). Champion – M Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with the previously unshown six-year-old cow, Tonley Jay Erica. She is by Blelack Evor, a former stock bull that has bred sons to 24,000gns, out of Tonley Julie Erica. She was shown with end of March born bull calf by Blelack Evermore. Reserve – G and F Willox, Meikle Pettinain, Old Meldrumwith the reserve winner from Fettercairn, Cardenwell Bluebell, a home-bred two-year-old in-calf heifer by Burnside Jamie, out of Cardenwell Bracken. She is due to Moncur Fergus and was reserve at Tarland, last year. Senior bull, junior bull – R Gardiner. Calf, cow – M Wattie. Senior heifer, calf – G and F Willox. Junior heifer – K and M Howie, Cairnton.

British Blonde (Judge: Mrs E Don, Insch). Champion – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with the home-bred heifer, Strathisla Maxine, a 13-month-old daughter of Strathisla Hero out of Strathisla Ester. Reserve – G Anderson, Beltie Cottage, Glassel, with the bull, Glassel Neymara, a 22-month-old bull by Strathisla Glen, out of Strathisla Heather. Bull – G Anderson. Senior heifer, junior heifer, calf – A Watt.

British Blue (Judge: D McBeath, Stirling). Champion – S and K Smith, Bankhead, Portlethen with the sole entry, Springfield Nina, a 15-month-old British Blue heifer bought at Carlisle in May for 2700gns. One of only , calffour British Blue females in the new Forgeron herd, she is by Mannequin de Sberchamps and bred from Springfield Juicy.

Highland cattle (Judge: G Easton, Forfar). Champion – Miss Amy Reid, Forestpark, Stonehaven, with Catriona 3 of Teaghlach, a two-year-old heifer. She is by Seumas 3 of Lagg and bred from Catriona 2 of Lyntoun. Reserve – Grace Noble, Lochton of Leys, Banchory, with the breed leader from Dalmally last year, Duchess of Grace which stood second in her class to the champion. This two-year-old is by Brogach 8 of Leys and out of the Oban purchase, Hazel 12 of Knockendon. Senior bull – G Noble. Junior bull – J and J Singer. Cow, calf – I Adams, Brathans Fold. Three-year-old heifer – S and A Brown. Tow-year-old heifer – Miss A Reid. Yearling heifer – S and R Fletcher.

Limousin (Judge: D McBeath). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef champion – R and K Davidson, Corsairtly, Keith, with the January 2018-born bull, Corsairtly Oswald, a son of Ronick Inspector out of Corsairtly Janelle. He was placed at the Highland and is destined for the breed sales in October. Reserve – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Whitecairns, with Ritchies Oracle, a March 2018-born heifer by Rathconville Eugene, out of Dinmore Elle. She was champion at Alyth and Fettercairn. Bull – R and K Davidson. Cow, junior heifer, calf – A Ritchie.

Salers (Judge: I Wilson, Torphins). Champion – D Watson, Darnford, with the home-bred bull, Darnford Keene, a four-year-old son of the French bull, Fangio, bred from Darnford Diva. He was originally sold for 7000gns at Stirling to the Milne family at Kennishillock, but was bought back for breeding. Reserve – J McIntyre, Milton of Cullerlie, with Lisnamaul Floss, a seven-year-old cow and former reserve winner at Banchory, bred by the McGinns from Northern Ireland. She is by Ballynarry Samuel. Bull – D Watson. Cow, calf – J McIntyre.

Simmental (Judge: I Wilson). Champion – Laura Beattie, Corskie, Garmouth, with Garmouth Dumandy’s Isabella, the junior female champion at the National Show last year which also stood second in her class to the reserve at the Highland. A two-year-old in-calf heifer she is by the 45,000gns Bel Dhu Capercaillie and out of Sterling Verity’s Dumady which was bought at the Leading Ladies sale at Carlisle in 2015. Reserve – S and K Smith, with last year’s champion here, Forgeron Helen, an April 2016-born daughter of Ranfurly Emperor that stood second at Fettercairn the previous week. Cow, junior heifer – S and K Smith. Senior heifer – L Beattie.

Any other breed (Judge: Mrs E Don, Insch). Champion – Comyn Farmly, Rattrey Estates, Peterhead, with Rattray Maddie, a March 2018-born Beef Shorthon heifer shown by farm magager team, Calum and Ann Clark. She is by Gala Hercules and out of Hildaland Madeleine, an in-calf heifer bought at Matthew Budge’s dispersal on Orkney. She was junior inter-breed champion at the Stars of the future last year. Reserve – A Watt, with the Shorthorn heifer, Strathisla Lauren.

Cross cattle (Judge: B Baillie, Orkney). Champion – B Duffton, Huntly and Rebecca Stuart, Insch, with I’ll be There, a 14-month-old Limousin cross heifer bred by Stuart Raeburn, Lockerbie bought from Michael Robertson, Easter Fodderletter, at the Spring Show at Thainstone, where she stood pre-sale champion. She is by the AI sire, Lorenzo and also stood champion at the Rising Stars Show at the Christmas Classic as a calf for the Robertsons. Reserve – B Patterson, Cairndaie Croft, Sauchen, with Tracy Jacks, a February 2019-born heifer calf bought as a calf at foot from the Malones at Pitcairn. She was reserve at Fettercairn. Cow, calf born in 2019 – B Patterson. Confined YFC heifer, confined YFC bullock – R Stuart. Heifer one-two years, heifer under a year old, bullock under a year old, bullock one-two years – B Duffton and R Stuart

Carcase cattle Champion and reserve – AG Douglas. Supreme was a 15-month-old Charolais cross heifer bred by Chris Barclay that was bought out of Dingwall with the reserve being a similarly aged black stot bought from Backmuir Trading.

Young handlers (Judge: D McBeath). Under 11-years – 1, Tara Adams; 2, Murray Greaves; 3, Mya Whytte. 12-15 years – 1, Racahel Davidson; 2, Lois Milne; 3, Emma Smith. 16-26 years – 1, Nicola Howie; 2, Craig Coutts.

Clydesdales (Judge: A Ferguson, Bankfoot). Champion – N Christie, with the reserve winner from Banchory last year, Anguston Ali, a two-year-old filly by Redcastle Dreamliner out of Anguston Abi. She was on her first outing of the year. Reserve – I Young, with the eight-year-old yeld mare, Arradoule Ellie May, a daughter of Arradoul Cardhu, bred from Arradoul Majesta. She is a former champion at Turriff and twice reserve winner at New Deer. Mare with foal, foal, two-year-old male – G and R Skinner. Two-year-old filly – N Christie. Three-year-old gelding – J Gibb. Yeld mare – I Young. Young handlers – Rachel Noble.

Highland (Judge: Sandra Yeaman, Blairgowrie). Champion – Lynne McDonald, with the 12-year-old grey mare, Pavlova of Whitefield, the reserve winner here an at the breed show last year on her first outing of 2019. She is by Lancelot of Whitefield, out of Zola of Whitefield and was bought from the Bairds in 2016. Reserve – Fiona Menzies, with Seamus of Forglen, shown ridden. This 10-year-old gelding is by Manonwells Glenn Eagas and was reserve at Keith in 2017. Senior gelding, ridden, three-year-old – F Menzies. Mare, two-year-old – L McDonald. Yearling – G and A Towns.

Shetland (Judge: W Mouser, Ramparts, Turriff). Champion – Ann Irvine, with the miniature champion, Rocky of Haybrake, a nine-year-old home-bred male by Hazelhead Dynamite out of Erica of Haybrake. Reserve – Irene Spence and Kayleigh Nicol, with the standard champion, Warrackson Tamara, an eight-year-old yeld mare bought as a yearling. She is by Scamells Criterium, out of Tay of Hutton and last year was reserve here and supreme champion at Brodie Castle. Standard senior mare or gelding, ridden standard – I Spence and K Nicol. Standard mare with foal, foal – R Macleod. Standard two/three-year-old – Christine Forbes. Miniature mare or gelding, miniature mare with foal – NS Wilson. Miniature, miniature two/three-year-old – C Matthew and L Jack. Miniature two-year-old, miniature stallion – Ann Irvine. Young handlers – L Keith.

Beltex (Judge: J McLean, Turriff). Champion – S Wood, Woolhillock, Skene, with a two-crop ewe that was imported as a ewe lamb from the Callens flock. Champion at Turriff as a gimmer she was also first at the Highland last month. Reserve – A Miller, North Lurg, Midmar with an ET-bred ewe lamb bred from Aviemore Alice 2 and sired by Baileybrook CR7. She was placed at the Highland for Mr Miller's new Lurg Beltex flock. Aged ram, shearling, ewe, tup lamb – S Wood. Gimmer, ewe lamb – A Miller.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: A Knox, Turriff). Champion – CR and ES Millican, Newton of Hassiewells, Rothienorman, with an end of February-born ewe lamb on her first outing from the 30-ewe Hassiewells flock. She is by a J22 Riddings tup bought at Carlisle in 2016 for 4000gns and out of a home-bred ewe by the A6 Hassiewells Powerhouse. Reserve – A Jolly, Clyne, Straloch, Newmachar, with a home-bred shearling on his first outing by a Dreva ram bought at Carlisle in 2017 which also bred the flock's ewe and tup lambs at the show. He is out of a home-bred ewe and is destined for the sale at UA Stirling. Ram – A Jolly. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, tup lamb – CR an ES Millican.

Blue Texel (Judge: A Knox). Champion and inter-breed sheep and joint reserve overall champion of champions – WJ and M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, Insch, with the any other continental champion from Fettercairn, Hunters Bramble, a home-bred one-crop ewe. She is by Dulas Axe, a tup bought at Worcester that has bred daughters to 1000gns and a previous male champion at Carlisle. Reserve here last yer, she is bred from an imported Millside ewe. Reserve – Stasa Moyse, Woolhillock, Skene, with Saltire Catch Me If you can, a home-bred gimmer by the 3300gns Hackney Your Joking out of Saltire A Beauty. Aged ram, shearling ram, ewe – WJ and M Hunter. Gimmer, ewe lamb – S Moyse. Tup lamb – Jennifer Duncan.

Suffolk (Judge: R Henderson, Cornhill). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – JA Lorimer, Cadgerford, Kingswells, with a home-bred gimmer by Ballynacannon Boss, a tup bought four years ago at Stirling for 2500gns out of a home-bred ewe by Lakeview Laidlaw. Second at the Fettercairn, she was shown by Hannah Lorimer for the 40-ewe Cadgerford flock. Reserve – GJ Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie, with a ew lamb by Lakeview Uder the Radar, out of a home-bred ewe by Deveronside Doodle Bug that was fourth at the Highland. Aged ram, ewe, gimmer, confined pair – JA Lorimer. Shearling – Faith Miskelly. Tup lamb – Finn Christie.

Texel (Judge: D Coli, Muir of Ord). Champion – Rachel Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff, exhibiting her foundation female – a ewe lamb bought privately for £5000 by her father, Robbie Wilson, from John Herdsman after standing first in her class at Balmoral Show. She is by Far-hey Billy the Kid and out of a Templepatrick ewe by Llangwm Vantastic. Reserve – WJ and M Hunter, with a shearling ram bought at the second sale at Lanark from Steven Renwick in partnership with Craig Paterson. Craigdouglas Black Jack is by Mullan Amigo, out of a Sportsmans Unbeatable-sired ewe and stood first at Fettercairn. Aged ram – Patricia Imlah. Shearling, tup lamb – WJ and M Hunter. Ewe – Jemma Green. Gimmer – R Wilson. Ewe lamb – Rachel Wilson.

Zwartbles (Judge: Kirsty Williams, Huntly). Champion – Faye Wilkie, Whitestone, Skene, with Whitestone Gabriel, an end of champion born tup lamb by Killymallaght Enigma out of Cynefin Destiny bought at Carlisle as a ewe lamb in 2016. He was male champion at the Scottish National at Stirling and third at the Highland for the 20-ewe flock. Reserve – D Miskelly, Corrybrae, Alford, with a previously unshown gimmer by Greystone Disco, a tup used on loan, out of a home-bred ewe. Aged ram, sherling, ewe, tup lamb, ewe lamb – F Wilkie. Gimmer – D Miskelly.

Any other native breed (Judge: G Finnie, Ballater). Champion – A Leek, Greenhill, Lonmay, with a home-bred three-crop Blackface ewe that was shown as a gimmer. She is by a son of a Gass tup used on loan from Ewan Rogerson, and out of a gimmer bought at Thainstone from Ronnie Downie. Reserve – C Richard, with the second prize ewe, a two-crop Harestone-bred ewe by a £62,000 Dalchirla shearling ram, that was bought at Thainstone as a gimmer. Ram – Brenda Scott. Ewe, tup lamb – A Leek. Gimmer – C Richard. Ewe lamb – Marianne Sheed.

Any other continental breed (Judge: J Lyle, Fife). Champion and reserve – Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, with home-bred Charollais. Supreme was a previously unshown December-born ewe lamb by Logie Durno Sergeant, a tup bought at Worcester, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve for the 23-ewe flock was a similarly aged tup lamb also on his first outing by Loanhead Single Malt. He is destined for the ram sales at Thainstone. Tup, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb – E and E Duncan. Ewe – Patricia Imlah.

Ryeland (Judge: Deborah Jones, Moray). Champion and reserve – R and Beth Aitken, Beech Cottage, Newton of Fetternear, Inverurie. Supreme was the white shearling ram, Fetternear Ythan, a home-bred son of Fetternear Viking – a tup retained for breeding for the 10-ewe flock. Champion any other native breed here last year, this was the first time the breed had it's own classes at Echt. He was second at the Highland and is out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve was the coloured ewe lamb, Fetternear Zante, by Broomwell X Marks The Spott, a tup bought privately at Dumfries Show, out of a home-bred ewe. She was on her first outing. Tup, ewe, tup lamb, ewe lamb – R and B Aitken. Gimmer – E Duncan.

Cross sheep (Judge: H Gordon, Stonehaven). Champion – Finn Christie (15), Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie, with the single champion, a home-bred Beltex cross gimmer bred from a Suffolk cross ewe. She was single champion at New Deer last year and on her first outing of the year. Reserve – N Dow, Upper Sauchen, with the pen of three champion, three Suffolk cross one-crop ewes on their first outing. They are out of Texel cross Mule ewes. Reserve group – K Moir, with a pen of three continental-bred ewe lambs. Native pen of three gimmers, cross ewe with lambs – R Wilkie. Continental pen of three gimmers – Michelle Stephen. Pen of three cross ewes, three native ewe lambs – N Dow. Three continental ewe lambs, three butchers lambs – K Moir. Single tup – Lauren Milne. Single gimmer – F Christie.

Hoof and carcase – Champion – S and Ellie Miller, with a pen of mid-February born Beltex cross ewe lambs by Muirton Chancer, that were reserve at the Higland. Reserve – P and G Troup with the second prize pen of continental lambs. Native lambs – R Wilkie. Continental lambs – S and E Miller.

Young handlers (Judge: A Knox). Seven years and under – 1, Madeleine Michie; 2, Cody Fraser; 3, Morven Miskelly. Eight-11years – 1, Finlay Hunter; 2, Katie Lorimer; 3, Silson Stott. 12-16years – 1, Finn Christie; 2, Cameron Hunter; 3, Faye Wilkie.

Pet lambs – 1, Murray Wood; 2, Allan Milne; 3, P and G Troup.

Goats (Judge: Morven Campbell, Inchture). Champion – Maxine Tarry and Ian Garden, Castlehill, Methlick, with Caisteal Cnoc Deron, a 14-month-old pedigree Boer buck on his first outing from the duo who run 300 such goats. He is by Terraparks Bonanza and out of Intakelane Matty. Reserve – M and M Ross with an adult Boer females. Dairy milk, dairy goatling – Fiona Smith and family. Pygmy female, pygmy goatling, group of four – Fiona Strachan. Any other adult female, any other goatling, any other female kid – M and M Ross. Adult male – M Tarry and I Garden.