Nairn Show: Zwartbles leads Angus at 200th anniversary event

The annual event, which was celebrating its 200th anniversary, attracted strong entries of cattle, sheep and horses from noted breeders in the north and North-east.

Tapped out by society president, Gordon Ferguson’s guest and Nairn provost, Laurie Fraser, was a gimmer named Olbre Firecracker from Liam (16) and Ryan (15) Sharp’s 14-ewe Paddock flock from Drumtemple Croft, Gorthleck, Inverness,.

Exhibiting for just the second time at Nairn, they ruled supreme with a gimmer by Wallacetown Carbon, out of Wallacetown Christine, which was purchased as a ewe lamb at Carlisle, last November. She stood sixth in a strong class of 32 gimmers at the Royal Highland Show and was breed champion at Sutherland.

Securing the inter-breed beef championship was a September, 2013-born Aberdeen-Angus bull, Oakchurch Equity, from the Rhind family, who run 20 pedigree Aberdeen-Angus and 120 commercial cows at Newton Struthers, Kinloss, near Forres.

Brought out by young Graeme, he is an ET-bred son of Netherallan Peter Pershore, out of Blelack Eyrie G197, and has just had his first crop of calves on the ground.

Inter-breed beef judge, Duncan MacGregor, from Burnhead, Kilsyth, said the Aberdeen-Angus was a 'big powerful bull, carrying plenty of flesh.'

Mr MacGregor’s reserve champion was the leader in the Limousin section from Richard and Kathleen Davidson, and children, Richard and Rachael, from Corsairtly, Keith. This was Corsairtly Oswald, a January, 2018-born bull by Ronick Inspector, out of Corsairtly Janelle. He was reserve beef at Echt, as well breed champion at New Deer and is destined for Carlisle Bull Sales, in October.

Michael Robertson and family of Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, enjoyed one of their best Nairn Shows to date when a trio of Limousins – all by Whiskey Lord – stood champion in the groups, ahead of Aberdeen-Angus from Ballindalloch Home Farm.

Scoring a hat-trick win for the Robertsons in the competition at Nairn, son Mark also lifted the cross cattle championship, while Sarah Balfour stood champion with her British Blue cow.

A bumper entry of Blackfaces was forward this year in the sheep lines, but it was the Bluefaced Leicester champion from Raymond Baynes, Blackford, Croy, which took the reserve sheep honours.

Shown by daughter, Anna, the winning tup was purchased two years ago at Kelso Ram Sales from Newbigging Walls and stood inter-breed champion at Grantown Show, last year.

Supreme horse champion was a 10-year-old Clydesdale mare, Galcantray Angel, from David and Beverley Walker, Easter Galcantray, Cawdor. She is by Heatherwick Perfection, out of Ord Jubilee Girl and is a previous champion of champions winner at Nairn.

LEADINGawards:

Highland cattle (Judge: S Hunter, Barnhill, Allanton, Shotts). Champion – Tordarroch Estates, Tordarroch, Farr, Inverness, with the three-year-old heifer Heather 12 of Tordarroch, by Moluag of Kilpatrick, out of Heather 11 of Innisard. She was champion at Sutherland. Reserve – Leys Castle, Inverness, with the three-year-old heifer Duchess of Black Glen, which was bought at Oban, last October. On her first outing, she is by Lachlan of Lagg, out of Duchess 1 of Merkland. Bull – Leys Castle. Senior heifer – Tordarroch Estates. Intermediate heifer, junior heifer – A MacPhee.

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: H Sclater, Denhead, Dunlugas, Turriff). Champion and overall beef champion – A and K Rhind, Newton of Struthers, Kinloss, with the September, 2013-born Oakchurch Equity, by Netherallan Peter Pershore, out of Blelack Eyrie G197. He is the family’s new stock bull and has his first crop of calves on the ground now. Reserve – LM Forbes, Lochdhu Farm, Nairn, with the 10-year-old cow Lochdhu Ellie, which was shown with her heifer calf at foot. Senior bull, heifer calf – A and K Rhind. Junior bull – A Shephard. Bull calf – D Walker. Cow – LM Forbes. Senior heifer, junior heifer – Ballindalloch Home Farm.

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: H Sclater). Champion and reserve – G Stephen, Hatton Farm, Dallas. Champion was the six-year-old cow, Knowehead Gorgeous Tessa, which was bought at the Highland Wagyu dispersal last September. Reserve was the home-bred, 17-month-old bull, Glenduel Mighty, by Castlemount Sammy, out of Fingask Resetta Gypsy. He was reserve at New Deer. All classes – G Stephen.

Limousin (Judge: G Laing, Lower Gaich, Grantown-on-Spey). Champion and reserve beef inter-breed – R and K Davidson, Corsairtly, Keith, with Corsairtly Oswald, a January, 2018-born bull which went on to stand reserve inter-breed beef champion. He is by Ronick Inspector, out of Corsairtly Janelle and lifted the reserve beef honours at Echt, as well breed champion at New Deer. Reserve – M Robertson, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, with Goldies Nell, a September, 2017-born heifer bought in May. She is by Goldies Fortress, out of Goldies Jodie and stood reserve champion at Sutherland. Bull – R and K Davidson. Bull calf, maiden heifer – M Robertson.

Simmental (Judge: G Laing). Champion – WG MacPherson, Blackford, Croy, Inverness, with Blackford Jethro, a 17-month-old bull by Blackford Galaxy, out of Blackford Bramble. He was on his first outing and is destined for Stirling Bull Sales in October. Reserve – D and DM Leslie, Redhill, Mosstowie, Elgin, with Redhill Jazzy, a November, 2018-born born bull calf by Williams Eddie, out of Redhill Rhona. He was on his first outing. Senior bull, cow – Pitgaveny Farms. Junior bull, junior heifer – WG MacPherson. Bull calf – D and DM Leslie. Senior heifer – J MacIver.

Charolais (Judge: G Laing). Champion and reserve – R and A Milne, Kennieshillock, Elgin. Champion was the 16-month-old bull, Elgin Orlando, by Woodpark Elgin, out of Elgin Electra. He stood junior champion at Carlisle, in May and is a full brother to Elgin Nancy, which was sold privately for a five-figure sum and was champion at Balmoral Show this year for her new owners. Reserve was the Milne’s nine-month-old bull calf, Elgin Obama, by Carwood Loch Ness, out of Elgin Jessie. He was on his first outing and is one of the first sons of Loch Ness. All classes – R and A Milne.

Cross-bred cattle (Judge: S Hunter, West Cairnhill, Insch). Champion – M Robertson's home-bred 14-month-old British Blue cross heifer, by Midlock Jackpot, out of a Limousin cross British Blue cow. She was on her first outing and will be retained in the suckler herd. Reserve – Smallburn Farms, Plewlands Farm, Duffus, with a March-born Limousin cross British Blue stot calf on its first outing. He is by an imported French bull which has bred a number of champion winners for the Andersons and is destined for the Spectacular at Thainstone. Cow, cow and calf heifer calf calved between Sept 1, 2017 and Aug 31, 2018 J Munro and son. – J Munro and Son. Heifer, pair of calves bred by exhibitor – M Robertson. Stot calf calved between Sept 1, 2018 and Dec 31, 2018, heifer calf born on or after Jan 1, 2019 – C and J Hendry. Stot calf born after Jan 1, 2019 – Smallburn Farms. Calf born after Jan 1, 2019 – D Munro. Junior showmanship – T Munro.

AOB continental cattle (Judge: G Laing). Champion – S Balfour, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, with the four-year-old British Blue cow, Newroddige Jemima. Bought as a heifer at Carlisle, she is by Mountjoy Utopia, out of Tamhorn Foxtail Lily and is in-calf to Pendle Lion Heart. She stood champion at a number of North-east shows as a two-year-old.

YFC North show circuit (Judge: S Hunter, West Cairnhill). Champion – D Munro, Invercharron, Ardgay. Reserve – C Hamilton, Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul. Calf born between Mar 1, 2018 and Sept 1, 2018 – D Munro. Calf born after Sept 2, 2018 – G Fraser. Best stockman – James MacIver, Wester Coltfield, Kinloss.

Blackface (Judge: P Stewart, Bomakelloch, Keith). Champion – D Carson, Tigh N’ulaidh, Tomatin, with a home-bred two-crop ewe by a Dalwyne tup, out of a home-bred ewe by a Glenrath sire. She was on her first outing. Reserve – R Baynes, Blackford, Croy, with a home-bred shearling tup by a £1100 Achdregnie, out of a home-bred ewe. He won the district stock judging at Dingwall in February. Aged tup – Glenrinnes Farms. Shearling tup – R Baynes. Ewe, group, pair of female lambs, pair of male lambs – D Carson. Gimmer, tup lamb – R Flett. Ewe lamb – K Johnston.

Suffolk (Judge: R McConnachie, Easter Hardmuir). Champion – L Dunn, Corriemount, Muir of Ord, with a four-crop ewe on its first outing bred by Bardnaclavan and purchased from Leanne Matheson. Reserve – M and I Bissett, Mariain, Culnaskeath, Evanton, with home-bred shearling tup, Mariain Ferdinand. He is by Muirton His Royal Highness, out of a home-bred ewe and stood reserve male champion at Sutherland. Aged tup – IM Fowlie. Shearling, gimmer – M and I Bissett. Ewe, tup lamb – L Dunn. Ewe lamb – K and C Munro.

Texel (Judge: J Mackie, Milton of Noth, Rhynie). Champion – P Gill, Wester Raddery, Fortrose, with a home-bred one-crop ewe on its first outing. She is by Knock Wezel, out of Stainton-bred ewe. Reserve – A Chisholm, Wester Moy, Urray, Muir of Ord, with a home-bred gimmer on its first outing by Arkle Ying Yang, out of a Knock Vantastic-sired ewe. She stood champion at Sutherland. Aged tup – E and J Gunn. Shearling – L Nicol. Ewe, ewe lamb – P Gill. Gimmer, tup lamb – A Chisholm.

Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: K Matheson, Milton Farm, Aberarder, Inverness). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – R Baynes and daughter Anna with an aged tup bought from Newbigging Walls at Kelso Ram Sales two years ago. He is by a Carryhouse sire and stood supreme in the sheep at Grantown last year. They also stood reserve with a home-bred shearling by the champion which is destined for Dingwall tup sales in September. All classes – R Baynes.

Beltex (Judge: D Douglas, Braes of Coulmore, North Kessock). Champion – J Scott and Partners, Fearn Farm, Tain, with a two-shear tup, Dooley Caspian. Purchased at Carlisle last year, he is by a Belgian tup named Scooby Doo, out of Corra Top Totty and stood reserve champion at Sutherland. Reserve – Z Rennie, 4 South Street, Newmill, Keith, with a one-crop ewe, Rennie Cosmo. Shown by Rachael Ingram, she is by Matt’s Bullshot, out of Rennie Alba. Aged tup, gimmer, ewe lamb – J Scott and Partners. Shearling, ewe – Z Rennie.

Zwartbles (Judge: Mrs S Stewart, Bomakelloch, Keith). Champion, inter-breed sheep and show champion of champions – L and R Sharp, The Paddock, Drumtemple Croft, Gorthleck, with a gimmer, Olbre Firecracker, which was bought as a ewe lamb at Carlisle. She stood sixth in a class of 32 at the Highland Show and was breed champion at Sutherland. Reserve – R McIntosh, Ardbrae House, Daviot, with ewe lamb, Druid Temple Ginny, by Druid Temple Clarkson out of Druid Temple Elsa. Bred by Laura Marwick, she was on her first outing. Shearling tup, gimmer – L and R Sharp. Ewe – K and W Anderson. Tup lamb – L Marwick and E Grant. Ewe lamb – F McIntosh.

Jacob (Judge: J Thomson, Calgowrie Cottage, Tenafield, Muir of Ord). Champion and reserve – A Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly. Taking the champion honours was a tup lamb, Adamski Krypton, by Hope Knockout out of Adamski Maisy. He stood third at Fettercairn and second at New Deer. In reserve was Adamski Susie, a gimmer by Hope Knockout, out of a home-bred ewe. She stood third at Fettercairn and first at New Deer. Tup – M Milton. Ewe, gimmer, tup lamb – A Christie. Ewe lamb – J Milton.

Cross-bred sheep (Judge: E MacDonald, Torgorm, Conon Bridge). Champion – G Breathet, Woodside Croft, Blackpark, Ardersier, with a March-born Texel cross ewe lambs by a Felquoy tup bought at Thainstone. Reserve – A Clark, Milton of Connage, Ardersier, with Jacob cross Cheviot ewe lambs by a Beltex cross Charollais tup. Ewe, gimmer, breeding ewe lambs, prime ewe lambs – G Breathet. Wether lambs – A Clark.

Mules (Judge: W Aitken, Stackpole Farms, Cawdor). Champion – D and DM Leslie with three gimmers bought from Dell Farm at Dingwall Mart. Reserve – K and J Matheson, Milton of Aberarder, Strathnairn, Inverness, with three ewe lambs by a Rossiebank tup. Gimmers – D and DM Leslie. Ewe lambs – K and J Matheson.

AOB sheep accredited (Judge: S George, Dulnain Bridge, Boat of Garten). Champion – T Jackson, Boghead, Lumsden, with home-bred Vendeen shearling tup bred by home-bred genetics. Reserve – Y Spence, Gowan Brae, Skye of Curr, Dulnain Bridge, with tup lamb Ben More Uptown Funk, by Knighton Rolls Royce, out of Ben More Oolala. He stood second at Caithness. Aged tup – R and C Cruden. Shearling tup – TE Jackson. Ewe – R and C Cruden. Gimmer, ewe lamb – A and D Henderson. Tup lamb – Y Spence.

AOB sheep non-accredited (Judge: S George). Champion – U Leonardi, 5 Rockfield, Portmahomack, with home-bred Texel ewe lamb, by Teiglum Wise Guy, out of a bought-in ewe. Reserve – E Campbell, The New House, Balvaird, Muir of Ord, with a tup lamb by Templand Bertie, out of a home-bred ewe. Aged tup, gimmer – L Anderson. Shearling – C Anderson. Ewe, ewe lamb – U Leonardi. Tup lamb – E Campbell.

Young handlers – 1 and overall champion, Liam Sharp; 2, Ryan Sharp; 3, Rory McIntosh.

Blackface sheep young handlers – 1, Megan Matheson; 2, Gavin Campbell; 3, Robert Matheson.

Clydesdale (Judge: Mrs E Gunn, Hawthorn Estate, East Calder, West Lothian). Champion and overall horse – D and B Walker, Easter Galcantray, Cawdor, with Galcantray Angel, a 10-year-old mare which has won the champion of champions on a previous occasion at Nairn. She is by Heatherwick Perfection, out of Ord Jubilee Girl. Reserve – E and M Johnstone, 50 Highfield Circle, Muir of Ord, with four-year-old mare Ord Destiny, which is a full sister to the award-winning Ord Tinkerbell. She is by Eskechraggan Earnest, out of Ord Envy and stood champion at Sutherland. Gelding three years and over, yeld mare, one-year-old filly, two-year-old filly – D and B Walker. Brood mare, foal – L Tulloch. Young handler – B Gibb.

Highland ponies (Judge: H Duncan, Craignetharty, Turriff). Champion – F Menzies, Myreton, Insch, with the 10-year-old gelding, Seamus of Forglen, by Manonwells Glen Aegas, out of Hannah of Forglen. She stood reserve at Echt and champion at New Deer. Reserve – S Leslie Melville, South Cantray, Croy, with the 10-year-old mare, Glenbanchor Lady Ferelith, by Donald of Sheilhill, out of Glenbanchor Lady Fiona. She has stood champion at Nairn before. Brood mare – S Melville. Yeld mare or gelding, three-year-old colt, filly or gelding, working harness – F Menzies. Yearling colt, filly or gelding – J Baird.

Shetland ponies (Judge: K Adam, Pitfairn Road, Fishcross, Alloa). Champion and reserve – H Sleigh, St John Wells, Fyvie. Champion was Wells Legend, a 10-year-old which stood champion at the Great Yorkshire and reserve male at the Highland. He is by Wells Extra Special, out of Wells Vita. Reserve champion went to Wells Prelude, a three-year-old colt by Wells Masterclass, out of Wells Paris. Standard Shetland ponies - Stallion or gelding, two or three-year-old colt or gelding, yearling colt, filly or gelding – HP Sleigh and Son. Brood mare – R MacLeod. Foal, filly two or three-year-old – Narinian. Yeld mare four years and over – Mr and Mrs JD Swan. Two or three-year old filly – Balnakyle Show Team. Any other colour – M Elson. Miniature – Stallion or gelding four years and over, yeld mare – Phlair Stud. Two or three-year-old colt or gelding, yearling colt, filly or gelding – R MacLeod. Brood mare four years and over with foal, foal – D Finlayson.