A cracking entry of livestock was forward to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Fife Agricultural Association, with it's annual show at Cupar – absent for the past two years due to Covid – attracting near record breaking crowds.
Such was the demand for a good day out with friends and family at an agricultural show, that queues of cars and people were seen trying to access the event for most of the day.
Prior to the big event, just shy of 7000 people had bought tickets online and a good few hundred paid even more at the turnstiles on the day of the show.
There was no doubting the enthusiasm of the exhibitors too, who regardless of whether they won or lost, were just so glad to be able to get out and catch up with friends old and new, following a good two years of pretty much isolation on farm.
It was nevertheless, Richard Hassell and Rachel Wyllie of Brailes Livestock, who enjoyed the day most, when their Charolais heifer, Burradon Raquel, brought out by the Retties, Methven, not only won the inter-breed beef honours but also the overall champion of champions, judged by the various inter-breed judges on a points basis.
"She took my eye as soon as she walked in to the ring," said the inter-breed beef judge, Melvin Stuart, Ellon. "She has great locomotion but also the size and scale. To me she's a very special Charolais and an easy winner," he said.
The heifer, a rising two-year-old bought privately last year from her breeder, Chris Curry, is no stranger to the limelight, having stood reserve continental senior champion at the Stars of the Future and female champion at LiveScot. A daughter of Clenagh Lyle, she has been residing with the Retties, along with the remainder of Brailes Livestock's select pedigree Charolais and Aberdeen-Angus herds.
For the supreme overall, she was up against the commercial beef champion, the inter-breed dairy, overall sheep and the lead horse.
Although there was no award for the reserve, in second place and just one point behind was the commercial beef winner, A'va Butt, a 20-month-old British Blue cross Limousin heifer, from Wilson Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff. She was bought at Carlisle in March 2021, from Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry, and went on to stand commercial champion and reserve inter-breed beef at the Royal Highland Showcase.
There were plenty of celebrations at Cuthill Towers too, when Arthur and Susan Lawrie and sons David and James, Milnathort, landed the inter-breed dairy honours with a Red and White Holstein.
Tops here was Cuthill Towers Addiction Peony, a VG88-classified female that calved her third in February and is giving 45litres per day. She is by Addiction P and stood second at the Agri Expo at Carlisle in March.
Raymond Irvine, Tomintoul, found his supreme sheep in the Texel champion, a gimmer from Keith, Allan and Roy Campbell's Cowal flock from Drimsynie, Lochgoilhead. Another top show performer, having been placed at both the Showcase and the Great Yorkshire, she is by Hexel Django and bred from a ewe by Knap Alligator.
Glenrothes-based breeder, Stewart Lathangie, Pyeston, also had a bumper day, winning the top two awards in the Suffolk section and the reserve inter-breed sheep honour. His star performer, a home-bred gimmer, is by Pyeston Fury, a full brother to the 48,000gns Pyeston lamb sold last year.
Islyn Mavrick, a grey Section A Mountain and Moorland stallion shown in hand, landed the inter-breed horse title for Lorna Shaw, Hatton Farm, Lundin Links, Leven. He is by Thistledown Iceman and was bought in Wales as a yearling from Mrs Shand Jones. Brought out by son Andrew Shaw, Mavrick has already won several youngstock awards.
LEADING awards
Beef Shorthorn (Judge: J Dick, Annan). Champion and reserve – M and S Nairn, Balnabroich, Strathardle. Supreme was the two-year-old in-calf heifer, Balnabroich Pandora by the privately purchased, Fearn Lord, out of Balnabroich Keisha. Reserve was with yearling heifer, Balnabroich Roxanne by Millerston Man-of-War bred from Albion Rosebud Jihan, a Democrat of Upsall daughter bought at the herd dispersal at Longtown. All classes – M and S Nairn.
Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: D Walker, Nairn). Champion – K Rennie, Fiddlehall, Falkland with rising five-year-old cow, Fiddlehall Proud Iola by Mosstonmuir Excalibur, out of Mosstonmuir Proud Iona. She was brought out by freelance stockperson, Kim Brown and was paraded with her February-born heifer calf at foot, Fiddlehall Proud Izzy. Reserve – Brailes Livestock, c/o Craigend, Methven, with the second prize winner to the champion, Weeton Blackbird V519, a three-year-old by Rawburn Boss Hogg out of Blelack Blackbird T853. She was champion at the Great Yorkshire and first at the Royal Highland Showcase where she was also one of made up one of the winning native inter-breed pairs. Senior bull – A Mylius and Partners, St Fort, Newport on Tay. Junior bull, junior heifer, bull calf, pair – Brailes Livestock. Cow, heifer calf – K Rennie.
Belted Galloway (Judge: Mrs C Montgomerie, Cumnock). Champion – L and R Brown, Rose Cottage, Radernie, Cupar with the October 2019-born in-calf heifer, Brodale Dreama Helena, by Glen Gomez, out of a home-bred cow. Reserve – B Lawson and Sons, North Cassingray, Largoward, Leven with 17-month-old home-bred heifer, Mourneview Ginny, by Dunay Nicholas.
Highland (Judge: D Dempster, Crieff). Champion and reserve – D and M MacNaughton, Center Street, Kelty. Breed leader was the two-year-old heifer, Bryer Rose of Rannoch by Seamus Dubh of Craigowmill. Reserve was the 10-year-old black bull, Marloch Dubh of Rannoch, by Callum Dubh 2 of Rannoch, out of Princess Ealasaid 4 of Donallan.
Any other native breed (Judge: J Dick, Annan). Champion – WP and K Wason, Redwells, Kinglassie, Lochgelly, with six-year-old Hereford cow, Saltire 1 Cathy by Baldinnie 1 Viscount, by Baldinnie 1 Viscount, out of the foundation female, Baldinnie 1 Cathy 40 – one of five cows in the herd. A regular prize winner, she was paraded with five-month-old heifer calf at foot. Reserve – A Mylius and Partners, St Fort, Newport-on Tay, with the yearling Lincoln Red bull, St Fort Archer, by St Fort Wizard, out of a home-bred cow. Senior bull – C Betts, Balcaskie Farms. Junior bull – A Mylius and Partners. Cow, senior heifer, heifer calf, bull calf – WP and K Wason.
Charolais (Judge: R Irvine, Tomintoul). Champion – Brailes Livestock C/o Craigend, Methven with July 2020-born heifer, Burradon Raquel by Clenagh Lyle. She was bought privately last year from her breeder Chris Curry, and is bred from the Gwenog Banjo daughter, Burradon Grace. Already a top show female, she was breed senior champion at the Stars of the Future where she was also reserve continental senior and female champion at LiveScot. Reserve – Dexter Russell, Lesliepark, Denny with 18-month-old heifer, Airthmains Rosie by Thrunton Lachlan out of Lesliepark Maggie, one of four cows in the herd.
Simmental (Judge: R Irvine). Champion – G Clark, Broombrae, Auchtermuchty with 14-month-old bull, Broombrae Major by Roma Jaguar, out of Broombrae Delight.
British Blue (Judge: R Irvine). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef – C Drysdale, Kinnesswood Farm, Kinnesswood, Kinross with 16-month-old ET bull, Kinnesswood Rizzle-Kicks. The result of a frozen embryo bought privately from the Patersons at Upper Auchenlay, he is bred from an Auchenlay cow and sired by Sandyvale Jagerbomb. He is to be kept as a stock bull for the 60 Limousin cross cows at Kinnesswood.
Limousin (Judge: D Walker, Nairn). Champion – J Thomson, Hilton of Beath, Kelty with the 13-month-old heifer, Beath Shelby by Carrickmore Maximus bred from Sarkley Carmen. Reserve – W Lawson, Rahalloch, Windsole, Auchterarder with 17-month-old bull, Windsole Red by Windsole Oscar, a Foxhillfarm Irishlad son retained for breeding, out of Windsole Marganna. Senior bull, calf – W Lawson. Junior bull – A Orr, Lomondmuir, Wester Balgedie, Kinross. Heifer, pair – J Thomson.
Commercial (Judge: G Harvey, Balfron). Champion and reserve – W Peters, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff. Supreme was the 20-month-old British Blue cross Limousin heifer, A'va Butt, which was bought at Carlisle in March 2021, from Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry. She is by Wareham Micky, out of a Limousin cross cow and was champion at the Royal Highland Showcase last year. Reserve was the 13-month-old Limousin cross British Blue bullock, Playful Peem bred at Kinnesswood, Kinross. Cow and calf, heifer born after December 2021 – C Drysdale, Kinnesswood, Kinross. Heifer with calf teeth, heifer born between September 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, steer born between September 1 and December 31, 2021, continental bullock with two or more broad teeth, group of three – W Peters. Steer born after December 31, 2021 – D and P Blair, Littleinch, Balmerino, Newport on Tay.
Holstein (Judge: ?????) Champion and reserve – J and I Wilson, Carskerdo, Cupar. Supreme was second calver, Riverdane Chief Rowena VG88, by Stantons Chief. Bred from 13 generations of VG or Ex-classified cows, she calved in January and is still giving 50litres, having produced 10,400 as a heifer. She was bought privately last year from Mark Nutsford. Reserve was the the heifer in milk, Billincoat Sectariat Vereneze VG87-2yr, also bought privately last year. She calved in November and is giving 40litres with her second due in October. All classes – J and I Wilson.
Any other dairy (Judge: ) Champion and reserve – A and S Lawrie, Cuthill Towers, Kinross. Supreme was the third calver, Cuthill Towers Addiction Peony, a VG88-classified red and white that calved in February and is giving 45litres per day. She is by Addiction P and stood second at the Agri Expo at Carlisle in March. Reserve was the second prize winner to the champion, Cuthill Towers Aladdin Rae 4 ET, another red and white which gave 11,000litres as a heifer. She is the result of a flush from the Ex96 6E LP80 cow, Cuthill Towers Crown Rae.
Young handlers (Judge: Mrs C Montgomerie, Cumnock). Champion – Magnus Lawson. Reserve – Cameron Harrison
Clydesdale (Judge: P Tennant, Biggar). Champion – J Greenhill, Upper Tulloes, Letham, Forfar with two-year-old filly, Tulloes Emily by Arradoul Balvennie. She was champion of champions at the online Perth Show last year and reserve at Fife Foal Show. Reserve – J Anderson, R Brewster, and H Carr, Drummygar Mains, Carmyllie, Arbroath with the three-year-old imported yeld mare, Freedom Believe in Love, by Freedom Majestic Believer out of Freedom Majestic Irish Charm. Senior gelding – A and A Noble, Peggyslea, Nine Mile Burn, Penicuik. Yeld mare – J Anderson, R Brewster and H Carr. Mare and foal, foal, RH Black, Newton of Collessie, Ladybank. Two-year-old filly – J Greenhill. Yearling filly – Young Subsea Engineering, Tollhouse, Watergate, Cleish. Yearling male – J Sharp, Fir Park, Tillycoultry. Young handlers – Ahva Elder. Ridden – Lauren Smith on West Glen Abelia, owned by Adam Young. Turnouts – Singles – E Gunn, Hawthorn House, East Calder. Pairs – D and B Walker, Galcantray, Cawdor, Nairn.
Highland (Judge: H Duncan QPM, Turriff). Champion – Judith Hogg, Cowden Cottage, Comrie with the gelding, Lachlan of Croila Croft, by Ulleum of Croila and bred from Chesthill Fern. Reserve – WKA and KM Allan, Millfield, Freuchie, Cupar with the four-year-old mare, Martel of Millfield by Glenmuir Lochaber, out of Myleene of Millfield. Placed as a yearling at several shows, she was also second at the Highland Pony Society's breed show at Strathallan in 2019. Senior male – J Hogg. Yeld mare, foal – WKA and KM Allan. Two-year-old – A Baird, West Whitefield, Burrelton, Blairgowrie. Yearling – Miss E Millar, Kinloch Rannoch, Pitlochry.
Standard Shetland (Judge: Mrs E Carlyle, Dryfesdale, Lockerbie). Champion – Eynhallow Stud, Westown, Carse of Gowrie, with the three-year-old filly Eynhallow Dutch Corrie, shown by Brenda Laing. She is by Eynhallow Dutch Prince and was reserve at the Aberdeen Spring Show and at the Stallion Show. Reserve – K and F Punton, Almondell Shetlands, Kirknewton with the four-year-old mare, Almondell Harmony by Somahouse Gt, out of Glenwhery Harriet. A well known show winner, she boasts several top awards to her name to include supreme at Howe and the Central Scotland Group Show. Mare – K and F Punton. Yearling – Donna Lochtie, Belmont, Glenfarg. Two/three-year-old – Eynhallow Stud. Stallion – Mrs L Wilson, Cassindilly, Ceres.
Miniature Shetland (Judge: D Burnett, Arn, Ellon). Champion – Lynda Cochrane, Kilwinning with the six-year-old stallion, Ardanbeag Hamish by Ardanbeag Lomond, out of Plumtree Huckleberry. He was champion at the Scottish Friends Open Show and second at the Stallion Show. Reserve – R Pitcairn, Kirkintilloch, with the second prize winner to the echampion, Oxgang Endeavour, a four-year-old previously unshown male by Eiger Nijinsky out of the Danish-bred Brags Petrine. Mare, senior male – L Cochrane. Yearling – Murray Family. Two/three-year-old – R Pitcairn. Young handlers – Mrs L Wilson.
Border Leicester (Judge: N Howie, Alnwick). Champion and reserve – E Mill (14), Shawsmill, Cardenden, Lochgelly. Champion was a previously unshown gimmer by Intock Boris and out of a Alticane-bred ewe bought at Carlisle in 2021 – one of only 14 ewes in the flock. Reserve was a home-bred two-crop ewe by Drennans Dazzler, out of a different Alticane-bred ewe. Aged ram – R Brown, Rose Cottage, Hazeldene, St Andrews. Tup lamb, ewe lamb, group of three – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth, Kininmonth, Cupare. Ewe, gimmer – E Mill.
Suffolk (Judge: M Stuart, Ellon). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep and reserve – S Lathangie, Pyeston, Star, Glenrothes. Supreme was a gimmer by Pyeston Fury – a full brother to the 24,000gns Pyeston tup, retained for breeding – out of a home-bred ewe by Cavanagrove Catalyst. Reserve was a tup lamb by the 48,000gns Limestone Markstone, bred from a Birness ewe bought at the Christmas Classic in 2020. Aged ram – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth. Tup lamb, ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – S Lathangie. Pair of untrimmed lambs – RH Black, Newton of Collessie, Ladybank.
Texel (Judge: M Coubrough, Biggar). Champion and inter-breed sheep – KA and R Campbell, Drimsynie, Lochgoilhead, with a gimmer by Hexel Django out of a ewe by Knap Alligator, that was placed at the Royal Highland Showcase and the Great Yorkshire, last year. Reserve – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth, Kininmonth, Cupar, with the shearling ram, Kingspark Ezark, a Garngour Craftsman son bought at Lanark, last year. Aged ram – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth. Gimmer – KA and R Campbell. Ewe – Kim Stretch, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff.
Any other breed (Judge: A Morton, Denny). Champion – RH Black, Newton of Collessie, Ladybank, with a four-crop Beltex ewe bought in utero of a Rathbone female purchased at Carlisle. She is the mother of the first prize ewe lamb
Any other breed – Champion – RH Black, Newton of Collessie, Ladybank, with a home-bred four-crop Beltex ewe which was bought in utero of a Rathbone ewe at Carlisle. She is the mother of the first prize ewe lamb at the show. Reserve – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth, with a home-bred Beltex gimmer by Hackney Extreme. Aged ram – D Stainton, Burnbrae Stables, Chryston. Tup lamb – K and R Taylor, Whiterigg, Maddiston. Ewe, ewe lamb – RH Black. Gimmer, group of three – Messrs Stewart of Kininmonth.
Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: M Coubrough, Biggar). Champion and reserve – Dr Alistair Crozier, North Cotton, Kingennie, Broughty Ferry. Supreme was a ewe lamb by a home-bred ram and out of a Rossiebank ewe bought at the flock dispersal. Reserve was a three-shear ram bought privately from George Milne, Kinaldy. All classes – Dr A Crozier.
Cheviot (Judge: Mrs M Davison, Falkirk). Champion – G Milne, Kinaldy, St Andrews, with a previously unshown three-crop ewe by a Gilston ram and out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – Logie Farm Partnership, Logie Farm, Newburgh, with a home-bred gimmer by Allanshaws Armani, out of an Olrig ewe. Aged ram, group of three – A Grant, Innergellie House, Anstruther. Tup lamb, ewe – G Milne. Gimmer, ewe lamb – Logie Farm Partnership.
Crosses (Judge: A Morton, Denny). Champion – J Orr, Nether Pitlochie, Gateside, with a pen of three Texel cross gimmers by a Tercrosset sire bought at Carlisle for £3500, out of home-bred Texel cross ewes. Reserve – Kim Stretch, Cuilt Farmhouse, Monzie, Crieff, with a Texel cross ewe out of a Cheviot Mule dam, with Beltex cross lamb at foot. Three gimmer – J Orr. Continental gimmer with lambs, ewe with lambs – K Stretch. Down cross ewe or gimmer with lambs – J Messenger, Ayton, Aberargie, Abernethy.
Prime lambs (Judge: A Morton). Champion – G Whyte, Muthill, with a pair of late February-born Beltex cross ewe lambs by an Easter Ochtermuthill sire bought privately.
Shetland (Judge: A Bain, East Lothian). Champion – K Sharp and A Hill, Ewingston, Humbie, with the white champion, Ewingston Jack Frost, a three shear ram that stood second at the Royal Highland Showcase, last year. He is by a ram bought from Geordie Morrison and out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – Euan (13) and Calum (11) Stables, Taigh SA Choille, Maisley, Keith, with Drum Barbara, a katmoget coloured gimmer by Drum Liath, out of a Drum ewe. She was bought privately from Mrs Rena Douglas. The brothers who were exhibiting for the first time, also won the reserve white championship with a two-crop Drum ewe also bought privately from Mrs Douglas. Reserve coloured – A and F Hipwell, West Cockairney, Kinross, with a ewe lamb
Jacob (Judge: E Macmillan, Fintry). Champion – Messrs Connor and Dalrymple, Dun-Mor, Bridgend, Linlithgow, with a home-bred gimmer by Eringale Hickory, out of a ewe that goes back to a former Dun-Mor champion at the Royal Highland. Reserve – R Locker, Greenlaw Mill, Greenlaw, with a three-crop Cavers-bred ewe bought privately in 2020. She is by Edingale Hawthorn and out of an Arkleside-bred ewe. Aged ram – M Munro, Kinloch, Ladybank. Tup lamb, gimmer, ewe lamb, group of three – Messrs Connor and Dalrymple. Ewe – R Locker.
Young handlers (Judge: R Irvine, Tomintoul). Junior – 1, Jack Stewart; 2, Abigail Morris. Senior – 1, Struan Trewartha; 2, Holly Brown; 3, Lexi Wilson.
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