Wet weather didn’t put of spectators or exhibitors as Dundonald Farmers Society’s annual show made a spectacular return to Dundonald Camp Track.

Beef cattle victor and overall cattle champion was the 13-month-old Limousin cross heifer, Moonlight, from James Nisbet, Orchardton, Sorn. This girl was purchased at Pateley Bridge Auction Mart's Spring Show as the pre-sale champion from Mark and Fee Ewbank, Intake, Middlesmoor, for a centre record of £6200. Sired by Gallaber Leo, she is out of Brennand Nightshade which stood reserve overall champion at the British Blue January show and sale at Carlisle, in 2019.

Andrew Ireland's 18-month-old Limousin cross heifer, Wee Nippy, from Feoch Farm, Darvel, took the reserve beef cattle honours. Bred by Clive Dent, Naby View, Lartington, Barnard Castle, she is a daughter of the 14,000gns Fieldson Mahrez and will be heading to next week's Ayr County Show.

Russel Davidson, Sunnyside Cottage, Coylton dominated the dairy cattle section claiming both champion and reserve rosette's. His champion came in the form of the eight-month-old heifer calf, Monktonhill Radar Present, which is a daughter of Radar and out of a Claynook Country-sired cow.

The November 2021-born Monktonhill Radical Tess stood reserve. A daughter of Radical, this girl is out of another Claynook Country-sired dam.

Leading the way in the sheep lines was David McPhee of the Freedom flock from North Lodge, Dundonald who not only lifted both the Texel and Continental championships, but also the inter-breed sheep title. Claiming that top award was the Texel victor, a gimmer by Midlock Yorkie out of a Knock Yardsman-sired ewe.

David's Beltex shearling stood continental and reserve overall champion. This boy is backed by Brickrow genetics on both sides.

Standing as reserve to David in both sheep sections was M and G Ballantyne, East Cauldcoats Farm, Strathaven. Their reserve Texel victor came in the form of a three-crop ewe purchased from the Brackenridge flock at the Lanark Crackers sale in December 2019. On her first outing alongside her ewe lamb, she is sired by Sportsman Admiral II and out of a Brackenridge-bred ewe sired by Knock Yardsman.

The Ballantyne's also stood reserve continental with the Beltex ewe hogg, Roadend Gabby. A daughter of Mortons Cheeky Boy, she is out of Callacrag Evette which was purchased at the Beltex Scotland in-lamb sale in December, 2020.

It was a day full of celebrations amongst the Clydesdales for Alan Craig and Agnes Jackson from Coylton and Biggar who lifted the overall championship with their filly, Boat Lady Crystal. Having already stood reserve overall at this year's Kilmaurs Show, she is by Dillars Ollie and out of the home-bred Boat Lady Victoria, which stood reserve champion at the 2018 Royal Suffolk Show.

Reserve honours went to the three-year-old female, Braehead Harmony, from Caroline Woodburn, Broadyards, Craigie. After already making a name for herself in the show ring following her victory at both Kilmaurs and Beith Show, last week, this girl is another sired by Dillars Ollie and bred from Braehead Hermione.

LEADING awards

Dairy. Bull or heifer calf (born between May 1 and Oct 31, 2021) – 1 and champion, R Davidson, Sunnyside Cottage. Bull or heifer calf (born after Nov 1, 2021) – 1 and reserve, R Davidson; 2, R Davidson.

Beef. Prime heifer – 1 and champion, James Nisbet, Sorn; 2 and reserve, A Ireland, Feoch Farm; 3, A Bothwell, Smithson Farm. Prime bullock – 1, C Baird, Langholm Farm. Bull or heifer calf born on or after Aug 1, 2021 – R Young, Home Farm. Beef animal confined to Dundonald Parish) – 1, C Baird; 2, R Young.

Texel. Ewe – 1 and reserve, M and G Ballantyne, East Cauldcoats; 2, M and G Ballantyne; 3, D McPhee, North Lodge. Ewe hogg – 1 and champion, D McPhee; 2, D McPhee; 3, M and G Ballantyne. Ewe lamb – 1, D McPhee; 2, M and G Ballantyne; 3, M and G Ballantyne. Tup lamb – 1, D McPhee.

Continental. Tup – 1 and champion, D McPhee; 2, D McPhee. Ewe – 1, M and G Ballantyne. Ewe hogg – 1 and reserve, M and G Ballantyne. Ewe lamb – 1, M and G Ballantyne; 2, M and G Ballantyne. Tup lamb – 1, M and G Ballantyne.

Clydesdale. Mare three years and over – 1 and reserve, C Woodburn, Hurst Farm; 2, A Noble, Peggyslea Farm; 3, I Nisbet, Lianshaw Farm. Gelding three years and over – 1, A Noble. Colt, filly or gelding over one-year-old but not exceeding two years of age – 1, C Young, Drongan. Colt, filly, gelding not exceeding one year of age – 1 and champion, A Craig and A Jackson, Covington Mill; 2, D McGill, The Kennels; 3, B and D McMillan, Clydeview Clydesdales. Bred by exhibitor – 1, A Craig and A Jackson. Ridden – 1, A Noble. Single heavy horse driven – 1, E Gunn Hawthorn House.