Heavy overnight rain – greatly welcomed by Deeside farmers – gave way to a morning of warm sunshine for the Banchory Show in the town’s King George V Park.

A combination of the favourable weather and the 200th anniversary of the first show in 1822 ensured a record crowd to enjoy the livestock judging in the morning followed by a packed afternoon programme in the main ring, including the grand parade of champions and March of Time demonstration to mark the show’s rich history.

Descendants of two of the main founders of the Deeside Agricultural Association, James Burnett of Crathes and Andrew Farquharson of Finzean were on hand to present the championship trophies and presentations were made to three show stalwarts, current honorary president, David Martin, Stonehaven, and two former honorary presidents, Leonard McIntosh, Durris, and Duncan Begg, Inverbervie, in recognition of their combined service to the show totalling 175 years, and still actively involved in running the show, along with John Jamieson, Stonehaven, who has now retired after over 50 years on the organising committee.

With women now playing a greater part in a traditionally male-dominated farming industry, it was fitting that the show had its first woman president, Mrs June Barclay, Harestone, Banchory, and all 46 judges in the various cattle, sheep and horse and pony sections were women.

“It was great to have the show back after a two-year absence because of Covid restrictions and we were delighted to welcome such a large ringside audience for our anniversary show,” said Mrs Barclay. “The organisation of the show is great team effort.”

It was also memorable day for the Barclay family with husband, Neil, and son, Stuart, carrying off the coveted champion of champions award with their inter-breed beef and Charolais champion, the 22-month-old home-bred heifer, Harestone Paradise, a daughter of Balthayock Minstrel.

Another local family captured the reserve champion of champions and inter-breed sheep title which went to Roy and Gillian Adam’s Deeview Texels with their breed leader, a home-bred gimmer by Sportsmans Cannonball which was also supreme sheep at Echt.

The strongest competition as always in the cattle lines was in the commercial cattle section where top honours went to Michael Robertson, Fodderletter, Tomintoul, who repeated his Echt championship success with a 17-month-old Limousin cross heifer, Cinderella, brought north from a sale in Skipton.

With 17 entries forward, the redoubtable Blair Duffton from Huntly went home with a clutch of awards in the commercial cattle section including the reserve championship with the 20 month old Limousin cross heifer, Truffles, champion of champions at New Deer Show, and the special prizes for the best group of three and best pair.

Best in the heavy horse classes was the Clydesdale champion from Jim Greenhill from Letham with his two-year-old filly, Tulloes Emily, which has won at several shows so far this season and will be a contender at the World Clydesdale Show which is coming to Aberdeen for the first time in October.

LEADING awards

Aberdeen-Angus – Champion – G Willox, Meikle Pitinnan, Oldmeldrum, with the home-bred seven-year-old cow, Cardenwell Blossom, by Burnside Jamie Eric, out of Cardenwell Bracken. Champion at New Deer and second at Echt. Champion at Turriff in 2019. Reserve – K and M Howie, Cairnton, Dess, with the yearling bull, Cairnton Detroit, by Cairnton Black Captain and out of Cairnton Duchess V4441. Bull, yearling heifer – K and M Howie. Cow, two-year-old heifer, bull calf – G and F Willox.

Charolais – Champion – N and S Barclay, Harestone, Crathes, with 22-month-old heifer, Harestone Paradise, by Balthayock Minstrel out of Harestone Natasha, fourth at Royal Highland Show, and reserve with five-year-old cow, Harestone Mamma Mia, by Maerdy Dublin, out of Harestone Bridgette. First time shown since winning reserve championship at Royal Highland Show in 2019. Cow, heifer, yearling heifer – N and S Barclay.

Simmental – Champion – Emma Smith, Bankhead, Portlethen, with heifer, Riverdee Luna, and reserve with heifer, Riverdee Lubby, by Team Highwayman, reserve at Echt.

Limousin – Champion – Miller Farms, Lurg Farm, Midmar, with 16-month-old bull, Millers Solomon, by Plumtree Fantastic, and out of Annanview Olala, fourth at Royal Highland Show and one of inter-breed pair champions at Angus and Fettercairn. Reserve – Miller Farms with yearling heifer, Westpit Silly, bought at Westpit reduction sale. Champion at Echt and reserve at Angus and Fettercairn. All classes – Miller Farms.

British Blonde – Champion – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with nine-year-old cow, Strathisla Joy, by Bridge Elmo and out of Strathisla Gloria, champion at Echt and reserve at New Deer, and reserve with yearling bull, Strathisla Salvador, by Neonhill Lion King and out of Alerston Orchid, champion at New Deer and reserve at Echt. All classes – A Watt.

Highland – Champion – Morag Middleton, Fettercairn, with bull, Eoin Mhor of Blackglen. Reserve – Brathens Fold with heifer, Lili Ann of Cloan. Bull, cow – Morag Middleton. Three-year-old heifer and calf – Grace fold. Two-year-old heifer – Meetlaw fold. Yearling heifer – Brathens fold.

British Blue – Champion – S Youngson and Son, Echt, with yearling heifer, Westerton Rosie, by Mountjoy Utopia, and out of Westerton Kim, first at Echt. Reserve – E and Michelle Greenlaw, Milton, Strathdon, with yearling heifer, Sunnybank Ra Ra, by Nox de L’Orgelot and out of a flush from Springhill My Girl, champion at Echt. Senior bull, yearling heifer – E and M Greenlaw. Junior bull, cow, heifer, bull calf, heifer calf – S Youngson and Son.

Salers – Champion – D Watson, Darnford, Durris, with French five-year-old bull, Darnford Nicky, bought in April and former winner of Salers National Show in France. Reserve – J McIntyre, Milton of Cullerlie, Echt, with two-year-old heifer, Corrichie Polly, by Cuil King. Bull – D Watson. Heifer – J McIntyre.

Beef Shorthorn – Champion – Rattray Estate, Peterhead, with six-year-old bull, Galla Knight, by 3800gns Kidston Rambo and out of Bon Accord Rose Duchess 18, reserve male champion at Echt. Reserve – R and Kirsten Williams, Ranna, Tarland, with five-year-old cow, Dunsyre Iona 31, by Redhill Ferny, and out of Dunsyre Iona 5 Ex92, champion at Echt and New Deer. Senior bull, two-year-old heifer, junior heifer – Rattray Estate. Junior bull, cow and heifer calf – R and K Williams.

Any other breed – I Skea, Dairaich, Kemnay, with Hereford bull calf, Bennachie 1 Wizard, and reserve with cow, Bennachie 1 Pansy 4.

Commercial cattle – Champion – M Robertson, Fodderletter, Tomintoul, with a 17-month-old, Limousin cross bred from a British Blue cross Limousin cow, bought at Skipton. Champion at Echt. Reserve – B Duffton, Huntly, with 20-month-old Limousin cross heifer, Truffles, second to champion in class, champion at Fettercairn, champion of champions at New Deer, reserve champion at Echt and Sutherland, second at the Royal Highland Show, bred by L and E Fowlie, and bought at Carlisle. Cow, senior bullock, suckled calf, cross cow with heifer calf – S Youngson and Son. Two-year-old bullock, yearling bullock, two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer, senior suckled heifer calf – M Robertson. Junior bullock, suckled calf junior heifer suckled calf – B Paterson. YF heifer, senior unhaltered heifer calf – B Duffton. Cross cow, bullock calf and senior and junior unhaltered bullock calf, calf reared by junior stock person, junior unhaltered heifer calf – S Smith. Carcase cattle – J Smith, Torphins

Sheep young handlers – Senior – Faith Miskelly. Intermediate – Cody Reid. Junior – Declan Watson.

Suffolk – Champion – G Troup, Sauchen, with a gimmer, by Cairness 147 out of home-bred ewe by Whitestone Dazzler. Fifth at Royal Highland and second at Echt. Reserve – Mrs J A Lorimer, Kingswells, with a ewe lamb. Aged ram, gimmer – G Troup. Shearling ram, ewe, ram lamb, ewe lamb, pair – Mrs J A Lorimer.

Blackface – Champion – S Robertson, Fodderletter, Tomintoul, with Perth-type ewe lamb by 5500gns Conway out of a home-bred ewe by £1100 Auchdreigie, and reserve with £1200 Scarhill ram lamb bought at Stirling last October. Both first time shown. Aged ram, shearing ram – R Holman-Baird, Rickarton. Gimmer, ram lamb, ewe lamb – S Robertson

Texel – Champion – Gillian Adams, Deevalley Texels, Banchory, with a home-bred gimmer by Sportsmans Cannonball out of Deveronvale-bred ewe by Mullan Armani, inter-breed champion at Echt. Reserve – Harestone Livestock, Crathes, with ewe lamb. Shearling ram – R Blackhall. Ewe, gimmer – Deevalley Texels. Ram lamb – K Pratt, Peterculter. Ewe lamb – Harestone Livestock.

Bluefaced Leicester – Champion – R Blackhall, Raemoir, with ewe by Shrewsbridge sire and out of a home-bred ewe by Mossvale sire, and reserve with home-bred shearling ram by Whinniehall sire. Both shown for first time. All classes – R Blackhall.

Bluefaced Leicester crossing type – Champion – A Jolly, Whiteknowes, Craigievar, with home-bred gimmer by Carryhouse sire, and reserve with home-bred ewe by Clennel sire. Ewe, gimmer – A Jolly. Ram lamb, ewe lamb – D Cowie.

Northern short-tail – Champion – Dr JW Graham and I Thompson with ewe, and reserve with shearling ram. Aged ram, shearling ram, ewe, ram lamb, ewe lamb – Dr JW Graham and I Thompson. Gimmer – Carol Collie.

Beltex – Champion – Alan Miller, Lurg Farm, Midmar, with ewe, Sinclairs Daisy, by Kingledores Battleaxe and out of ewe, Broughton Byrony, bought three years ago for 3000gns, first time shown, and reserve with home-bred shearling ram, Lurg Goliath, by Woodies Explosive, and out of the champion. All classes – Alan Miller

Any other continental breed – Champion – Deborah Atkinson, Duncanston, with gimmer, Derg Foxylady, by Derk Dakota, bought at Carlisle as ewe lamb, champion at Fettercairn. Reserve – R and C Cruden, Dyce, with ewe. Ram, gimmer, ewe lamb – D Atkinson. Shearling ram, ewe – R and C Cruden. Ram lamb – Harestone Livestock.

Any other native breed – Champion – GC and O Crawford; reserve – Carmont Valley Livestock. Aged ram and ewe lamb – Carmont Valley Livestock. Shearling ram – R and Beth Aitken. Ewe, gimmer and ram lamb – G C and O Crawford

Cross sheep – Nicol Dow, Upper Sauchen, Sauchen, with ewe and reserve with pair of gimmers. Ewe pair of gimmers, three Texel cross lambs and theee lambs of any other breed or cross – Nicol Dow. Pet lamb – De Watson.

Carcase lamb – Grant Dinnie. Reserve – Nicol Dow

Clydesdale – Champion – J Greenhill, Upper Tulloes, Letham, with two-year-old home-bred filly, Tulloes Emily, by Arradoul Balvenie and out of Tulloes Lady Jane, champion at West Fife, Fife, Fettercairn, Kirriemuir and Echt. Reserve – J Ingram, Drumoak, with home-bred yearling filly, Barns Lady Joanne, by Collessie Highlander and out of a mare by the Canadian-bred sire, Ben Franklin, first at Echt. Mare with foal, foal – Arradoul Clydesdales. Yeld mare, saddle class – Rolling Thunder Clydesdales. Filly – J Greenhill. Yearling filly – J Ingram. Gelding – Rachael Cumming. Young handler – Sophie Mitchell. Harness/grooming – D and Enid Proctor.

Highland – Champion – Victoria Headspeath with mare, Sorna Sula. Reserve – R Stewart, Stables Brae, Durris, with three-year-old colt, West Lodge McNair, by Glenmazeran Na Dailach. Stallion – Sarah MacIntosh. Gelding – Susanne Shepherd. Mare – Victoria Headspeath. Mare and foal, foal, yearling – Lynne McDonald. Two/three-year-old, in saddle – R and Karen Stewart.

Shetland – Champion – Irene Spence and Kayleigh Nicol with Warrackston Tamara. Yeld mare or gelding and pony in saddle – Irene Spence and Kayleigh Nicol. Yearling – W and P Robertson; Two/three-year-old, mare with foal. foal – Christine Forbes. Coloured pony – Ann Irvine

Miniature Shetland – Champion – Ann Irvine with Ocky of Haybrake; reserve – C Matthew and L Jack with BW Lchclawdd Lleucu. Stallion, yeld mare or gelding, yearling – Ann Irvine. Two/three-year-old, coloured pony – C Matthew and L Jack. Mare with foal, foal – Ashleigh Watt.