I'll be There does it again

The pairing, who hail from Huntly and Insch, landed the prestigious champion of champions title for the second weekend in a row with their Limousin cross heifer, I’ll Be There.

Brought out by William Moir, the 14-month-old heifer, caught the eye of champion of champions judge Jacqueline Strathdee, North Retanach, Rothiemay.

“She had a smartness about her that caught your eye. She’s the complete package with shape and style,” said Ms Strathdee.

I’ll Be There was bred by Stuart Raeburn and is by AI sire Mereside Lorenzo. She stood champion of champions at Echt and was bought for £4600 from the Robertson family at Fodderletter, Tomintoul, at this year’s Royal Northern Spring Show where she stood champion.

The duo who won the majority of the commercial cattle classes also picked up the inter-breed of three honours with three calves, and the reserve amongst the pairs.

Aberdeen Angus from Graham and Fiona Willox, lifted the blue and white sash in the groups of three and the tri-colour in the pairs.

The other two champions in the running for the supreme individual award were the sheep and horse inter-breed winners.

The sheep section leader was a home-bred two-crop Suffolk ewe from Craig Paterson’s Cranorskie flock at Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder. By Muirton One Direction, and out of a Strathisla Spielberg-sired dam, she was reserve champion at Fettercairn Show.

The overall horse champion was the leader from the Clydesdale section. This was the home-bred two-year-old filly, Arradoul Capella, from Ian Young, Wellheads, Clochan, Buckie. By Arradoul Balvenie, she stood reserve champion at Turriff and Echt last year.

Reserve overall in the beef section was the home-bred two-year-old Charolais heifer, Strathys Nessie from Kevin and Jackie Mallarkey, Airdlin Mains, Ythanbank, Ellon. She is by the herd’s stock bull, Maerdy Harry Potter.

In the sheep section, the reserve inter-breed title went to the cross section winner, a Suffolk cross Half-bred gimmer from Moir Livestock, Home Farm, Cairness. Brothers William and David Moir bought her as a ewe lamb from Miller Farms.

The team championship saw a win for Texels from Willie Knox and sons Graeme and Andrew's Haddo flock with Charollais from young Eilidh and Erin Duncan, from Barnyards, bagging the reserve.

LEADING awards

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: S Norrie, Woodside of Wrae, Turriff). Champion – M Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with home-bred six-year-old cow Tonley Jay Erica, shown with her bull calf Tonley Jumbo Eric at foot. She is by Blelack Evor, and was champion at Echt. Reserve – B MacAngus, Little Glencoe, Meikle Kirkhill, Maud, with March-2018 born bull Schivas Black Dog, by the 15,000gns Gretnahouse Exorcet. He was bought with his mother at the Schivas dispersal for 3800gns and forms part of the new Little Glencoe herd. Bull, male champion – B MacAngus. Cow, bull calf, female champion – N Wattie. Senior heifer, junior heifer – G and F Willox, Miekle Pitinnan, Oldmeldrum.

Charolais (Judge: J Cowan, Kerseknowe, Kelso). Champion and reserve inter-breed cattle champion – K and J Mallarkey, Airdlin Mains, Ythanbank, Ellon, with home-bred two-year-old heifer Strathys Nessie, by Maerdy Harry Potter. Champion here last year. Reserve – G and M Leggat, Mormond Prop, New Pitsligo, with home-bred 13-month-old bull Bonnykelly Osbert, by Gretnahouse Ivory. On first outing. Bull, junior heifer – G and M Leggat. Senior heifer – K and J Mallarkey.

Limousin (Judge: G Walker, Easterside of Dunnottar, Stonehaven). Champion – R and K Davidson, Corsairtly Farm, Keith, with home-bred 18-month-old bull Corsairtly Oswald, by Ronick Inspector. He was reserve inter-breed champion at Echt and is destined for the bull sales in October. Reserve – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Whitecairns, with 16-month-old heifer Ritchies Oracle, by Rathconville Eugene. She stood champion at Fettercairn and Alyth, and reserve at Echt. Bull, male champion – R and K Davidson. Cow, heifer, heifer calf, female champion – Aileen Ritchie.

Simmental (Judge: J Cowan). Champion – WJ and J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers, with home-bred seven-year-old cow Corskie Disco with twin calves at foot. Shown by stockman Shaun Cumming, she is by Islavale Sabre and stood champion at the Highland Show. Reserve – Laura Beattie, Corskie, with home-bred in-calf heifer Garmouth Dumandy’s Isabella, by Bel Dhu Capercaillie. She was champion at Echt and junior female champion at the Scottish National Show last year. Cow, junior heifer – WJ and J Green. Senior heifer – Laura Beattie.

Highland (Judge: D Logan, Greenhead, Alva). Champion – S and A Brown, Mains of Landerberry Farm, Echt, with three-year-old heifer, Carlin 4 of Culfoich, by Jacob 2 of Benmore. She was bought in Oban when she stood champion yearling and last year was champion at Keith and reserve at Echt and Tarland. Reserve – C Finnie, Richmondhill House, Peterhead, with home-bred seven-year-old cow, Heather 2 of Richmondhill, by Charles of Richmondhill, shown with calf, Tearlach of Richmondhill, by Charlotte Farman. Bull, young heifer calf, best male – Morag Middleton, Barna, Mid Mains of Balfour, Fettercairn. Cow – C Finnie. Bull calf, two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer, best calf – Veronica Thomson, Clackriach Cottage, Maud. three-year-old heifer, female champion – S and A Brown.

Shorthorn (Judge: J Redpath, Knowehead, Kilry). Champion – Lucy Mair, Kinnermit, Turriff, with home-bred September-2017 born bull Muiresk Lord Mair, by Alvie Galaxy. He was senior bull champion at the Stars of the Future show last year and third at the Highland. Reserve – G Stephen, Hatton Farm, Dallas, with home-bred 17-month-old bull Glendual Mighty, by Castlemount Sammy. Senior bull – J and L Fraser and Son, East Tilbouries, Maryculter, Aberdeen. Junior bull, best male – Lucy Mair. Cow, heifer calf, and best calf – Rattray Estate Ltd, Home Farm, Rattray. Senior heifer, junior heifer, best female – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith.

Cross cattle (Judge: A Morton Jnr, Lochend Farm, Denny). Champion, supreme cattle and overall champion of champions – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart from Huntly and Insch with 14-month-old Limousin cross heifer I’ll Be There. Bred by Stuart Raeburn, she was purchased from the Robertsons at Fodderletter, Tomintoul, at the Royal Northern Spring Show where she stood champion. By AI sire Mereside Lorenzo, she was champion of champions at Echt last weekend. Reserve – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart with 14-month-old Charolais cross heifer Alabama. By Fiston and out of a Limousin cross cow, she was purchased at Carrick and Shannon Mart in Ireland for £2000 last year. Cow, heifer calf – B Paterson, Cairndaie Croft, Sauchen. Two-year-old heifer, female with calf, beef cow with calf, breeding female – H Brown, Auchmaliddie Mains, Maud. Yearling heifer, two-year-old bullock, yearling bullock, bull calf, yearling heifer, pair yearling cross heifers, pair yearling cross bullocks, YFC heifer, group – B Duffton and Rebecca Stuart. YFC bullock – Lois Milne, Middlethird Farm, Methlick, Ellon.

Any other continental breed (Judge: G Walker). Champion – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with home-bred in-calf two-year-old British Blonde heifer Strathisla Maxine, by Strathisla Hero. Champion at Echt. Reserve – Alison Watt with five-year-old British Blonde cow Doncombe J’Adore, by Doncombe Coolibah. She was bought at a reduction sale in September 2017, and was shown with heifer calf at foot. All classes – A Watt.

Young handlers (Judge: Jacqueline Strathdee, North Retanach, Rothiemay). Age 11 and under – Murray Greaves. Age 11-14 – Sophie Adams.

Carcase cattle on hoof (Judge: E Fettes). Best bullock – C Buchan, Nether Savoch, Longside. Best heifer – Ross Bros, Wardhead, Strichen. Steer light – W and J Cameron, Burnside, Edingight. Heavy steer – C Buchan. Shorthorn steer – A and W Wilson Ltd, Shantlerhill, Maud. Heifer light – AG Douglas, Crimondgate Mains, Lonmay. Heifer heavy – Ross Bros. Shorthorn heifer – Auchtydore Farms, Mintlaw.

Zwartbles (Judge – Helen Rickard). Champion – Faye Wilkie, Whitestone Farm, Westhill, with the one-crop-ewe Glencoy Elegant, bought in August 2017 as a ewe lamb for 850gns. She was champion at the National Zwartbles Show in June. Reserve – Faye Wilkie with shearling tup Didcot Fjord, by East Middle Ben Nevis. He was bought for 1800gns at Carlisle last year. Aged ram – Lauren and Mags Milne, Boynesmill, Forgue. Shearling tup, ewe, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb, group – Faye Wilkie.

Beltex (Judge: A Morton Snr, Lochend, Denny). Champion – A Miller, Miller Farms, The Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie, with the gimmer Rathbone Destiny’s Child, by Kingledores Adonis. Bought as a ewe lamb at Carlisle for 500gns. Reserve – R and Kirsty Williams, Upper Tullochbeg, Huntly, with two-shear-tup, Langlands Bruiser, by Smart Ass Alfie. He was bought as a shearling in Carlisle for 13,000gns and is jointly owned with Bruce Mair, Jimmy Young, Charles Copeland and Raymond Flaws. He will be for sale at Carlisle next month. Aged ram – R and Kirsty Williams. Shearling tup – J and J McLean Mains of Culsh, New Deer. Ewe, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb, group – A Miller.

Texel (Judge: D Clark, Lee Meadow, Braidwood). Champion – WJ Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, with a home-bred ewe lamb by Hexel Born to be Wild, out of last year’s champion of champions at New Deer. She was fifth at the Highland. Reserve – R Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff, with a home-bred gimmer by Greenstar Alfie, out of a Glenside Wild Boy-sired dam. Second at the Highland. Aged ram – Pat Imlah, 2 Wood Cotts, Newmachar. Shearling tup – M Seed and Son, Home Farm, Auchry. Ewe – Jemma Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers. Gimmer, tup lamb, best male – R Wilson. Ewe lamb, group, best female – WJ Knox.

Suffolk (Judge: M Black, Collessie, Cupar). Champion and supreme sheep – C Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder, with a home-bred two-crop ewe by Muirton One Direction out of a Strathisla Spielberg-sired dam. Reserve at Fettercairn. Reserve – M Seed and Son, Home Farm, Auchry, with home-bred tup lamb Auchry Allstar. By Limestone Legacy, he will be sold at Stirling today (Friday). Shearling tup – C and M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon. Ewe, gimmer, pair of lambs, group, best female – C Paterson. Tup lamb, best male – M Seed and Son. Ewe lamb – G Christie, Inverurie.

Any other breed (mv-acc) (Judge: K Mair, Kinnermit, Turriff). Champion – Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Barnyards Farm, Clola, with a home-bred four-crop-ewe by Braemuir Otago out of a Rigghead ewe bough at Stirling. On first outing. Reserve – Eilidh and Erin Duncan with a home-bred gimmer by Loanhead Single Malt. Aged ram – Rachel and C Cruden, 2 Standingstones Cottages, Dyce. Shearling tup, best male, best female – Deborah Atkinson, The Manse, Duncanstown, Insch. Ewe, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb, group – Eilidh and Erin Duncan.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: Louise Glass, Muir of Fowlis, Alford). Champion – M Seed and Son with a home-bred two-crop ewe by Myfyrian H1 out of a home-bred ewe. Champion at Turriff for the last three years and champion here last year. Reserve – CR and ES Millican, Newton of Hassiewells, Rothienorman, with a home-bred tup lamb by K6 Lowfield Farm, out of a dam by H1 Breckhouse. Ewe, best female – M Seed and Son. Gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb, best male – CR and ES Millican.

Any other breed (non-acc) (Judge: Melissa Irvine, Braehead Farm, Drummuir). Champion – A Leek, Greenhill Farmhouse, Lonmay, with a Dalchirla-bred Blackface gimmer, by Dalchirla Boris. She was bought at Stirling in May for £150. Reserve – Raymond Aitken, Beech Cottage, Newton of Fetternear, Inverurie, with a home-bred coloured Ryeland ewe lamb by Broomwell X Marks The Scot, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve at Echt. Aged ram, ewe, tup lamb, ewe lamb – R Aitken. Shearling tup, best male – Diana Milligan, Hill of Dess Farm, Aboyne. Gimmer, best female – A Leek.

Small minority breed (Judge: Clare Bailey, The Blackwater, Bridge of Cally) Champion – Zoe and N Robson, Loanhead Croft, Cairnie, Huntly, with a home-bred Black Welsh Mountain shearling ram, by Loanhead Will I Am out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – J Graham and Lois Thompson with a home-bred Shetland gimmer by Rosebank Ragnar, out of Elf of Derwent. Reserve at Keith last year. Aged ram – Bachlaw Ltd, Upper Seaview, Cornhill. Shearling tup, ewe, ewe lamb, group, best male – Zoe and N Robson. Gimmer, tup lamb, best female – J Graham and Lois Thompson.

Jacob (Judge: Helen Rickard). Champion – A Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly, with home-bred one-crop ewe Adamski Lottie, by Dun-mor Antonio, out of Pentre Candie. Female champion as a ewe lamb at the Highland. Reserve – A Christie with three-shear ram Hope Knockout, by Hyndshaw Highland Laddie. Bought as a tup lamb at St Boswells for £1000. Aged ram, ewe, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb – Adam Christie. Shearling tup – Moira Milton, Newton of Auchindachy, Keith.

Cheviot (Judge: Mrs J Gall, Newton Cottage, Kininmonth). Champion – W and J Brown, Hilton of Culsh, New Deer, with a gimmer bought from Fife breeder George Milne in October. Reserve – W and J Brown, with a four-crop ewe purchased in lamb at Lockerbie at Jane Jackson’s Ericstane dispersal. Aged ram, tup lamb, ewe lamb, best male – H and K Kelman, East Thunderton, Peterhead. Ewe, gimmer, best female – W and J Brown.

Cross (Judge: E Graham, Gremisle Farm, Shetland). Overall, single champion and reserve supreme sheep – Moir Livestock, Home Farm, Cairness, with a Suffolk cross Half-bred gimmer bought as a ewe lamb from Miller Farms. Reserve single – W and J Brown with a ewe. Champion pen – Sarah Connon, North Quilquox, Ythanbank, with a pen of three continental cross gimmers. Reserve pen – W and J Brown with a continental cross ewe with a pair of lambs at foot. Pen of three ewes – S McRobbie, Keero, Middlehill, Cuminestown. Three Mule or Greyface gimmers, three native butchers' lambs, single gimmer with lamb(s), down cross lambs – Moir Livestock. Three continental cross gimmers – Sarah Connon. Three continental butchers lambs, three cross breeding ewe lambs, continental cross ewe with lamb(s), native cross ewe with lambs, bred – W and J Brown.

Young handlers (Judge: Jacqueline Strathdee) – 11 and under – Daniel Riach. Age 11-1 – Faye Wilkie.

Prime lambs (Judge: Mrs J Gall) Champion – J Cruickshank, 35 Main Street, New Deer, with continentals. Reserve – Miller Farms, The Lurg, Midmar, with continentals. Heavy continental – J Cruickshank; light continental – Miller Farms; heavy native – S McRobbie.

Clydesdale (Judge: R Lang). Champion and supreme horse – I Young, Wellheads, Clochan, Buckie, with home-bred two-year-old filly, Arradoul Capella, by Arradoul Balvenie out of Arradoul Symphony. She was reserve at Turriff and Echt last year. Reserve – J Gibb, Shoemakers Croft, Clola, Mintlaw, with eight-year-old gelding Collessie Full Monty. Mare with foal, foal, young gelding – G and Ruth Skinner, Strathorn, Pitcaple. Young filly – I Young. Senior gelding – Keely Gordon, The Old Smithy. Decorated harness – W G Robertson, 48 High Street, Cuminestown. Young handler – Sophie Mitchell.

Highland (Judge: Hon Mrs AD Leslie-Melville): Champion – Fiona Menzies, Myreton Farm, Insch, with ridden pony Seamus of Forglen. Reserve – Sarah McIntosh, Greystone, Blackhills, Turriff, with four-year-old mare Louise of Strathmore, by Pipe Major of Whitefield, and scanned in-foal. Stallion, yeld mare – Sarah McIntosh. Senior gelding, two/three-year-old, ridden – Fiona Menzies. yearling – Beverley Cole, Sod Inn, Kininmonth.

Shetland ponies (Judge: K Adam). Standard champion – Irene Spence and Kayleigh Nicol, Suie Vale, Middle Steading, Baldyvin, Alford, with eight-year-old mare Warrackston Tamara. Reserve – Nina MacDonald-Lewis, Drumnagair Shetland Pony Stud, Hillhead Croft, Auchencrieve, with nine-year-old mare Hools Ann. Miniature champion – Nina MacDonald-Lewis with two-year-old gelding Somahouse Pip Squeek. Reserve – Emma Watt with a gelding named Adam of Ore. Standard – senior gelding, mare in saddle, coloured – Irene Spence and Kayleigh Nicol. Two/three-year-old, group of three – Nina MacDonald-Lewis. Mare with foal, foal – Bachlaw Ltd. Yearling – Jackie Kidd, East Broadley Hill, Ellon. Young handlers aged 10 or younger – Donna Milne. Young handlers aged 11-16 – Kayleigh Nicol. Miniature – Senior gelding – Nina MacDonald-Lewis. Junior gelding – Emma Watt.