Despite a decidedly wet, dreich day, exhibitors were out in force to produce some stiff competition at Moffat Show which saw particularly strong numbers in the sheep lines.

However, it was the beef cattle champion – Ian McGarva's well-known British Blue heifer, Abington Lily, from Abington, brought out with the assistance from Kelly Blackwood and Duncan Davidson – that was again crowned overall champion of champions.

"I have never seen such a correct animal in such scale. She is a very impressive animal and hard to go past," said the overall judge, Jimmy Warnock, Sandilands, Lanark.

Back to reclaim to the overall champion of champions trophy from last year, this home-bred female is a daughter of Tenace Dela Praule, out of Tamhorn Grace. She also boasts the champion of championship wins at Biggar, reserve supreme at Peebles and breed champion at Lesmahagow.

Mr Warnock found his reserve overall in the supreme sheep, a park-type North Country Cheviot gimmer from Alan Cowens, Philiphaugh, Selkirk.

"Another excellent animal, and a great representative of the breed, she also has a very good skin and is correct on her legs.

Another with show form, this Carruthers Vice President daughter, bred at Ericstane by Jane Jackson, stood champion at Wooler.

Leading the way in the dairy and lifting the reserve cattle honours was the Holstein champion from Brian, Valerie and Craig Davidson, Errolston, Gretna. Their seven-year-old cow, Errolston Re-design Tessie Ex92, is a fourth calver that is producing 45lires having calved in February.

Back amongst the strong sheep section, the champion hill Cheviot followed the park-type to lift the runner up sheep trophy for Robert Paton, Castle Crawford, Abington. This was the breed leader from Peebles, a three-crop ewe by Castle Zebo.

A late kick off amongst the Clydesdales was worth the wait for Colleen Marshall, who picked up the championship with a home-bred yearling filly. Burgess Outon Miracle, is a daughter of Eskechraggan Ernest and out of Rashillhouse Jessica Jean and previously stood champion at Dumfries, Bute and Glenkens and reserve at Wigton.

Outwith the impressive array of livestock, the show also staged an auction and raised £250 for 'MyName'5Doddie' Foundation.

LEADING awards

Ayrshire (Judge: R Scott, Shacklehill, Mossblown, Ayr). Champion – JA McGarva, Horseclose, Cummertrees, Annan, with the heifer in milk, Horseclose Carole 25. She is by Changue Tryst, out of Horseclose Carole 18 and is producing 36litres per day. Reserve – DM Lindsay, Harperfield, Sandilands, Lanark with the second prize heifer in milk, Willowfields Winnie 3. She is by Harperfield Nijinsky and out of Willowfields Winnie 2, the Royal Highland champion in 2018. The heifer and her dam recently won the pairs in the Ayrshire Herd's Competition. Heifer – S Brown, Newfield, Caerlaverock, Dumfries. Heifer in milk – J McGarva. Cow in calf, pairs – DM Lindsay. Calf – E Sloan, Ryemuir, Lochmaben, Lockerbie.

Holstein (Judge: R Scott, Shacklehill). Champion and reserve inter-breed cattle champion – B and V Davidson, Errolston, Gretna with the seven-year-old cow, Errolston Re-design Tessie. She calved her fourth in February, is producing 45lires and is classified Ex92. Reserve – S and T Roan, Boreland of Colvend, Dalbeattie with a fifth calver due in June. Producing a personal best for the family here was Colvend Shottle Anna, a Picston Shottle daughter out of Colvend Bolton Anna. She is yielding 45litires and is classified Ex91. Heifer – A Irving, Bectonhall, Chapelknowe, Canonbie. Heifer in milk, group – J Jamieson, Woodhead, Annan. Cow in calf – E Paul. Second calver, third calver, calf, pairs – B and V Davidson. Calf – A Roan.

Galloway (Judge: R McTurk, Glenhowl, Dalry). Champion – D and R Cornthwaite, Balgray Hill, Lockerbie, with the two-year-old heifer, Natalie of Balgray. She is sired by Troloss Impeccable and out of Barlaes Grace. Reserve – J and S Ross, Romesbeoch, Shawhead, Dumfries with the seven-year-old cow, Nerys 1306 of Romesbeoch. She is a daughter of Kirkmabreck Nimrod, out of Doon of Urr Nerys. She has picked up several second and third prize tickets this season. Cow – J and S Ross. All other classes – D and R Cornthwaite.

AOB cattle (Judge: R McTurk). Champion – JJ Forrest, Hillend, Roberton with the 22-month-old heifer, Ladygill Naughty But Nice, by Ladygill Hennesay, out of Edenhurst Jenny. She was champion at Biggar and Moffat this year and was previously shown as a calf where she was champion at Peebles and reserve at Moffat. All classes –A JJ Forrest.

Prime cattle (M Philips, Mains of Minnydow, Springholm, Castle Douglas). Champion – Jenny Devine and M Hill, Hillend, Roberton, Biggar with a January-born heifer calf. She is out of a Limousin cross cow, which was bought from John Graham at Stirling. The dam and daughter outfit was champions of champions at Abington show last week as well as champion at Lesmahagow and reserve at Peebles. Reserve – T Hunter, Upper Brydekirk, Annan with a heifer. Yearling calf – J Devine and M Hill. Bullock – D and L Watret. Heifer – T Hunter.

Limousin (Judge: M Philips). Champion – T Hunter, Upper Brydekirk, with a May 2018-born bull. He is a son of Lodge Hamlet and is set for the Carlisle Bull Sales next month. Reserve – D and R Cornthwaite, Balgray Hill, Lockerbie, with the 10-month-old heifer, Maybe Oasis. She is by Lawflanlee, out of Maybe Microcosm and is to be sold at the Maybe dispersal on October, 4. Bull – T Hunter. All other classes – D and R Cornthwaite.

Commercial (Judge: B Maltas, Hunterheck, Moffat). Judged on the farm. Champion – D and R Cornthwaite, Balgray Hill, Lockerbie with a commercial cow and calf. Native cow and calf – G Braid, Kirkhill, Wamphray.

British Blue (Judge: M Philips). Champion, inter-breed cattle and overall champion of champions and reserve – I McGarva, Nether Abington, Abington. Supreme was Abington Lilly, brought out with assistance from Kelly Blackwood and Duncan Davidson. Their home-bred heifer is by Tenace Dela Praule, out of Tamhorn Grace and lifted the exact same award here in 2018. This year she was champion of champions at Biggar, reserve show supreme at Peebles and champion at Lesmahagow. Their reserve winner was is a full sister to the champion. All classes – I McGarva.

Shorthorn (Judge: J McCulloch, The Bungalow, Parkhouse, Upsall, Thirsk). Champion – A Jackson, Woodyett, Kirkfield Bank, Lanark with Dunsyre Horratio, a Langalbuinoch Barney son, out of Dunsyre Lily that was previously best bull at Bute Show and first and second at the Royal Highland and the Great Yorkshire, respectively. Reserve – G Brough, Glenfine, Ae Village, Dumfries with the in-calf heifer, Brough Eva Lottie. The two-year-old is due to calf in February and is a daughter of HW Hotrock, out of Firmison Eva Princess. Bull, junior heifer – A Jackson. Senior heifer – G Brough.

Young handlers (Judge: T Arnott, Haymount, Kelso). Champion – Gregor Watret, Muirfield, Hightae.

Continental/beef calf – 10yrs and under – 1, Gregor Watret, Muirfield; 2, Lloyd Ross, Romesbeoch, Shawhead, Dumfries; 3, Xander Forrest, Hillend Farm, Roberton, Biggar. 11-15yrs – 1, Logan Ross, Romesbeoch, Shawhead, Dumfries; 2, Sarah Hunter, Upper Brydekirk, Brydekirk, Annan. Calf bred by dairy sire – 10yrs and under – 1, Andrew Road, Colvend; 2, Emma Sloan, Ryemuir, Lochmaben, Lockerbie; 3, Ralph Baker, Penicuik. 11-15yrs – 1, Robert Sloan, Ryemuir, Lochmaben, Lockerbie; 2, Isla Irving, Bectonhall, Chapelknowe, Canonbie.

Hill Cheviot (Judge: M Little, 5 Douglas Terrace, Lockerbie). Champion – RH Paton, Castle Crawford, Biggar with the champion from Peebles, a three-crop ewe by Castle Zebo, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – J Halliday and Sons, Granton, Annanwater, Moffat with a shearling by Stirkfield Yogi on his first outing. Tup – RJ Menzies, Chanlockfoot, Penpont, Thornhill. Shearling tup, male group – J Halliday and Sons. Tup lamb – J Common and Son, Crossdykes, Lockerbie. Ewe, gimmer, single, female group – RH Paton. Shepherd's ewe – T Aitchison. Shepherd's gimmer – D McGarva. Shepherd's ewe lamb – D Dalglish.

Blackface (Judge: E Bennie, Blairennich, Gartocharn, West Dunbartonshire). Champion – Firm of Shawhead, Douglas, Lanark with a one-crop ewe, brought out by shepherd Alan MacLarty. She is by a £300 Burnhead, Darvel sire and out of a home-bred ewe by the £26,000 Crossflatt tup. Champion at Lesmahagow and reserve at Ayr this year. Reserve – Queensberry Estate, Mitchellslacks, Thornhill with a ewe lamb on her first outing. She is by a £52,000 Crossflat sire and out of a ewe by the £5000 Auldhouseburn. Tup, ewe – Firm of Shawhead. Shearling, tup lamb – R Colley, Mitchellslacks, Thornhill. Male group, gimmer, ewe lamb, female group – Queensberry Estate. Shepherd classes – Ewe, ewe lamb, group – H Colley, Kirkland of Morton, Thornhill. Gimmer – A MacLarty.

Beltex (Judge: N McQuistin, High Airyolland, New Luce, Newton Stewart). Champion – G Paterson, Moss Nae, Twynholm with the home-bred gimmer, Moss Nae Drive Me Crazy. She is by Synin Battle Grounds, which was male champion here this year and out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – D Fleming, Shoestanes Road, Heriot with a three-crop ewe that was first at Haddington. Tup lamb – JM Wharton and Son, Snade, Dunscore. Ewe – D Fleming. Tup, gimmer, group – G Paterson. Ewe lamb – C Currie, Inamay, Dumfries.

Prime lambs (Judge: N McQuistin). Champion – Ross and Gregor Watret Muirfield, Hightae with two continental crosses. Reserve – AG Dempster Castlehill, Tundergarth.

Texel (Judge: A Hamilton, 26c Bloomgate, Lanark). Champion – C Mair, Meikleholm, Courance, Lockerbie with a tup lamb by Clinterty Bear and out of a home-bred gimmer. Reserve – M and L Craig, Glenhowan, Glencaple, Dumfries with a two-crop ewe that was reserve Dumfries Show. She is a daughter of Hayworth Lodge Warrior and out of a home-bred ewe. Tup, group – J Sugden, Kirkbog Lodge, Thornhill. Tup lamb – C Mair. Ewe –M and L Craig. Gimmer, ewe lamb – G K Jamieson.

Blue Texel (Judge: N McQuistin). Champion – I Donaldson, Ashton, Lockerbie with a previously unshown three-crop ewe bred from a Millside ewe and sired by a Beili Blues ram. Reserve – R and S Dodd, Holmhead, Mouswald, Dumfries with a home-bred ewe lamb on her first outing. She was bred from a Dutch imported gimmer and sired by a Pistyll ram. Tup – D Fleming, Shoestances, Heriot. Female – I Donaldson. Tup lamb – R and S Dodds, Holmhead, Mouswald, Dumfries. Ewe lamb – A Dodd, Tundergarth Mains, Lockerbie

Blueface Leicester (Judge: L Steele, Liscleugh, Crawfordjohn, Biggar). Champion – FA Brown, Drumhumphry with a shearling sired by a Kirkstead tup. He was second at Stewartry. Reserve – Philiphaugh, c/o Alan Cowens, Selkirk with a three-crop ewe by a £6500 Shrewbridge tup. Tup – S Temple, Wyliehole, Tundergarth. Shearling tup, ewe lamb – A Brown, Drumhumphry. Tup lamb, group – K Smith. Ewe, gimmer – Philiphaugh.

Suffolk (Judge: J Roskell, 4 Westfield Gardens, Lockerbie). Champion – P and D Reid, Calfpark, Mouswald, Dumfries with a ewe lamb. She is sired by Cairness Custom Made with this being her first championship. Reserve –Hiddleston Family, Rigghead, Shawhead, Irongray, Dumfries with a tup lamb by Irongray Black Magic out of an Irongray ewe. Tup –E Wilkie, Shaw Cottage South, Berryscaur, Lockerbie. Tup lamb, gimmer, group – Hiddleston family. Ewe – E Chalmers, Garden Cottage, Dildawn Estate, Castle. Ewe lamb – P and D Reid.

AOPB sheep (Judge: D Sloan, Rigghead, Collin). Champion – S Ker, Justenlees, Annan with a home-bred Border Leicester gimmer. She is a daughter of Mearns Mavric and out of a home-bred ewe, with this being her first outing. Reserve – J Graham, Birsca, Corrie, Lockerbie with a Kerry Hill tup lamb. He is by a Pentre tup, out of a home-bred gimmer and previously has taken first prize tickets at Dumfries and the Border Union. Native tup – J Graham. Native female – S Ker. Continental tup – K McDermid, Waterside Farm, Terregles. Continental female – Hiddleston family.

North Country Cheviot park-type (Judge: D Allen, Heiferlaw Bank, Alnwick). Champion, inter-breed sheep and reserve champions of champions – Philiphaugh, c/o Alan Cowens, Philiphaugh, with a gimmer bred by Jane Jackson, Ericstane and is sired by Carruthers Vice President. She was reserve inter-breed sheep at Wooler. Reserve – J Cowan, Boghead of Greenhill, Lockerbie. Shearling, tup lamb, group – G Davies and Partners, North Synton, Ashkirk. Ewe, ewe lamb – J Cowan. Gimmer – Philiphaugh.

North Country Cheviot hill-type (Judge: A Hutcheon, Hartside, Powburn, Alnwick). Champion – M and S Wilson and Sons, Newbank, Beattock, Moffat with their stock tup, sorbietrees V6. He is a three-shear and was bought at Lairg last October. Reserve – Raehills Farms Mollin, St Ann’s, Johnstonebridge with a gimmer sired by a hethpool tup. Tup, ewe lamb, pen of three – M and S Wilson and Sons. Shearling tup, gimmer – Raehills Farms. Tup lamb, ewe – Philiphaugh.

Zwartbles (Judge: T Blamire, Mid Whinnow, Thursby, Carlisle). Champion and reserve – C Rae, Wallacetown, Brownrigg Loaning, Dumfries. Champion was home-bred gimmer by Wallacetown Cairn out of a Dutch imported ewe. Reserve was a ewe lamb by the same sire, that was champion at Dalston. Tup, gimmer, ewe lamb, group – C Rae. Tup lamb – A Braid, Cumrue Cottages, Lochmaben. Ewe – P Walton.

Young handlers (Judge: N Douglas, Catslackburn, Yarrow, Selkrik). Champion – Thomas Goldie Townfoot, Mouswald, Dumfries.

MV Acc – 10 years and under – 1, T Goldie; 2, Lachlan Rae, Wallacetown, Dumfries; 3, Isla Goldie, Townfoot, Mouswald, Dumfries. 11-16yrs – 1, Lara Reid, Calfpark, Mouswald, Dumfries; 2, Daniel Fleming, Shoestanes Road, Heriot; 3, Hollie Ker, Justenlees, Annan. Non MV – 10 years and under – 1, Isla Dempster, Castlehill, Tundergarth; 2,James Common, Crossdykes Farm, Lockerbie; 3, Ellen Dempster, Castlehill, Tundergarth. 11-16yr – 1,Murray Common, Crossdykes Farm, Lockerbie; 2, Alasdair Marshall, Eastlands, Crocketford, Dumfries; 3, Lara Barnes, Boreland Farm, Dunscore, Dumfries.

Heavy horses (Judge: Mrs A Jackson, Covington Mill, Thankerton, Biggar). Champion – C Marshall, Burgess Outon, with a home-bred yearling filly, Burgess Outon Miracle which won at Dumfries, Bute and Glenken and reserve at Wigton. She is a daughter of Eskechraggan Ernest and out of Rashillhouse Jessica Jean. Reserve – J McNay and E Blount, Ryecroft, Kirkmahoe, Dumfries with Ryecroft Danny a five-month-old filly foal. She was reserve at Stewartry. Mare – J Marshall and C Halliday, Heritage, Hollee, Kirkpatrick Fleming. Foal – J McNay and E Blount. Yearling – C Marshall.