Virtual classes and voting via technology has been the run of the mill this year, and one with an extraordinary entry was the National Hereford Show.

With 200 photographic entries across 14 classes, sorted by three international judges, there is still a chance to cast your vote on the National Hereford Club website for the male and female champions, to be announced today (Saturday, August 8).

First place in the most senior cow class, Balleen Pansy 668, from Mark Moore, Co Tyrone. Bred by Ireland’s Tom Brennan, it is October, 2011-born. First place in the second section of this class was Pulham Dowager 2, from Norfolk-based PRJ and LR Vincent, with a home-bred February, 2015-born cow. The same breeders also produced the winner of the September, 2016 to August, 2017-born female class, with Pulham Pansy 15, whilst EL Lewis and son, Herefordshire, went on to win the September to December, 2018, heifer class with Haven Dowager 188.

The Lewis family also produced the first place female in the January to March, 2019-born class with Haven Skylark 10. In the second half of the same class, Highhedges Blossom, from SA Cowle, Buckinghamshire, stood first place.

Haven Dowager 192 exhibited by J Lawrence, Monmouthshire and bred by EL Lewis and Son, won the September to December, 2019, class. AG Cork, Staffordshire, had the winner of the second half of the same class with the May, 2020-born, Hayestone Wyandot T135.

Winner of the most senior bull class was Haven Lamborghini, from EL Lewis and Son, which won the senior male championship at last year’s show at Tenbury Wells. Irish-bred Shiloh-Farm Elite, shown by PRJ and LR Vincent, was chosen as winner of the January, 2017 to August, 2018 bull class. Another true home of the breed, RA Bradstock and partners’ Free Town herd was successful with Solomon in the September to December, 2018-born bull class. Another from Mark Moore, but this time home-bred, Annaghbeg Gladiator, won the January to August, 2019-born bull class.

Continuing the success for the Vincent stud was nine-month-old Pulham Tampa which won the first half of the bull calf class. Twilight Riddick from Devon-based AG, LE and AA Gifford won the second part of the same class at 11 weeks old.

*Vote online at http://www.nationalherefordclub.co.uk/