The rain held off for the judging at Fettercairn where the Suffolk champion, a gimmer from Graeme Christie, Inverurie, took the overall championship judged by honorary president, David Mather.
“Everything was correct about her. She had a good mouth and head with good colours and she was well set on her legs.”
The gimmer, which is bred from a home-bred dam and sired by the 10,000gns Howgillfoot Sniper, was adding to the family’s winning streak when son, Finn, took the same award at Angus Show with a Suffolk from his own flock.
Reserve supreme was the Simmental champion, Drumsleed Nesta 22, a heifer from Gerald and Morag Smith, Drumsleed, Laurencekirk. Champion at Angus, she was sired by Wolfstar Gordy and out of Drumsleed Ibiza.
In the horse section, Brenda Laing’s Eynhallow Dutch Corrie took the inter-breed honours. This five-year-old Shetland mare was sired by Eynhallow Dutch Prince and bred from Eynhallow Belle. She was champion at Alyth and is a former champion from the Royal Northern Spring Show.
Leading Awards
Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: D Soutar, Alyth). Champion – K Howie, Cairnton, Lumphanan, with Cairnton Eyrie, a previously unshown 14-month-old heifer, by Tonley Edgar out of Blelack Eyrie which was bought at that herd’s dispersal as a calf. Reserve – A Rennie, Mosston Muir, Guthrie, with Mosston Muir Invictus, a 16-month-old bull shown by Scott Bell. He is sired by Balmachie Rannold and out of Mosston Muir Excellyn. First at Stars of the Future and Fife Show, and second at the Black Beauty Bonanza. Bull – A Rennie. Cow, senior heifer – G and F Willox, Oldmeldrum. Junior heifer – K Howie.
Highland cattle (Judge: D Soutar) Champion – D Carnegie, Balrownie, Brechin, with Catriona Akeko of Balrownie, a three-year-old in-calf heifer out of Catriona Akeko 6 of Mottistone and sired by Eion Mhor 17 of Mottistone. Champion at Angus and Turriff shows in 2023. Reserve – J Singer, Kintore Castle, Auchenblae, with Cary Cora Dubh of Kintore Castle, a two-year-old heifer bred from Cora Dubh of Applecross and sired by Conker of Seam. Champion at Fife, reserve junior female at the Royal Highland and first at Angus. Bull, calf – Morag Middleton, Fettercairn. Cow, yearling heifer – D Carnegie. Two-year-old heifer – J Singer.
Any other native cattle (Judge: D Soutar). Champion – Alice Haigh, Fern, with Eastmill Laird, an eight-year-old Beef Shorthorn bull bred by Pamela Nicol, Eastmill. He is by Canadian sire HC Freespirit and was bought at the Stirling in May, 2022. Reserve – G and D Allardyce, Tarland, with Rinmore Allaire, a 21-month Shorthorn heifer by Dunsyre Machiavelli and out of Rinmore Allies. Shown at Tarland as a calf. Junior bull, cow, stirk – Alice Haigh. Senior bull – G, M and D Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun. Heifer – G and D Allardyce.
Charolais (Judge: G Walker, Stonehaven). Champion – G and D Allardyce’s Howe O Cromar Unique, a 15-month-old heifer out of Leslie Park Jasmine and sired by Firhills Oliver. First outing. Sole entry.
Limousin (Judge: G Walker). Champion – Miller Farms, Midmar, with Millers UFO, a 15-month-old bull by Gunnerfleet Lion, bred from Westpit Milky. Placed at the Royal Highland and bound for the October Bull Sales at Stirling. Reserve – D Scott and A Nelson, Laurencekirk, with Oddies Unique, a March, 2023-born heifer bred from Pabo Peredur and sired by Breconside Nouse. Third at Angus. Senior bull, junior bull – Miller Farms. Cow/heifer – D Scott and A Nelson.
Simmental (Judge: G Walker). Champion, inter-breed cattle and reserve overall – G, M, and D Smith, Drumsleed, Fordoun, with Drumsleed Nesta, a rising two-year-old heifer by Wolfstar Gordy, out of Drumsleed Ibiza. Champion at Angus. Reserve – Heather Duff, Pitmudie, Brechin, with Pitmudie Nighthawk, a 21-month-old bull by Overhill House Eragon out of Pitmudie Irish Mist. Placed at Angus. Bull, cow, heifer – Heather Duff. Senior heifer – G, M and D Smith.
Any other continental cattle (Judge: G Walker). Champion – B Duffton, Huntly, with the British Blue heifer, Harelaw Star. Bred by Jean McKay and sired by Henlli Wishmaster, this 28-month-old was purchased at the breed sale at Carlisle last year. Champion and reserve inter-breed at Ayr and champion at Fife and Angus. Sole entry.
Cross cattle (Judge: F Chapman, Aberdeenshire). Champion and reserve inter-breed cattle champion – B Duffton with Little Miss Muffet, a 20-month-old Limousin cross heifer bred by Craig Robertson, Newton of Logierait. Sired by Glenrock Inferno, she was champion at the Thainstone Spectacular and Stars of the Future and was reserve at the Royal Highland. Reserve – D Nelson, Mains of Lundie, Edzell, with Bobby Bingo a 16-month Limousin cross bullock bred by Raymond Martyn, Wester Bleaton Farm. Cow, calf born Sept 1, 2023-Jan 1, 2024 – B Paterson, Sauchen. Yearling heifer, yearling heifer pair, yearling bullock pair – B Duffton. Heifer – Miller Farms. Yearling bullock – D Nelson.
Cattle young handlers (Judge: A Sleigh, Tarves). Champion – Lily Smith. Reserve champion – Kaitlyn Bell. Aged 12 and under – 1, Lily Smith, 2, Scott Allardyce, 3, Steven Smith. Aged 13-16 – 1, Kaitlyn Bell, 2, Chloe McEwan, 3, James Allardyce.
Shetland ponies (Judge: Susan Sleigh, Udny). Champion and overall horse – Brenda Laing, Eynhallow Shetland Pony Stud, with Eynhallow Dutch Corrie, a five-year-old mare by Eynhallow Dutch Prince out of Eynhallow Belle. Champion at Alyth and former champion at the Royal Northern Spring Show. Reserve – Brenda Laing’s Eynhallow Dutch Connie, a two-year-old filly that a full sister to the champion. Yeld mare or senior gelding, brood mare, two-year-old, yearling – Brenda Laing. Any coloured except black – Wendy Irons. Under saddle – Caryl Miller. Under 34 inches any age – Rachel McMahon.
Highland ponies (Judge: Mary McCall Smith, Crieff). Champion – Lynn McKay’s Glenmuir Dulcie, a 15-year-old mare by Burnside Ben Nevis out of Glenmuir Abigail. She has previously won red tickets. Reserve – Leona Blacklaws’ Murrayshall Assynt, a gelding sired by Echo of Achnacarry. Mare/senior gelding – Lynn McKay. Thre-year-old – Laura Crichton. Novice ridden, under saddle – Leona Blacklaws.
Clydesdales (Judge: G Young, Turriff). Champion and reserve horse – J Greenhill, Letham, with Tulloes Alanna, a three-year-old filly by Arradoul Balvenie out of Tulloes Lady Jane. Champion at Forfar Foal Show. Reserve – Suzanne Anderson’s Collessie Contessa, two-year-old by Collessie Monarch out of Collessie AnnaB. She was bought from Ronnie Black in March. Yearling – J and L Martin. Two-year-old – Suzanne Anderson. Gelding – G and R Skinner. Mare – J Greenhill.
Blackface (Judge: B MacKinnon, Amulree). Champion – DR Hood, Glen Clova, with a home-bred gimmer by a Midlock sire. First at Kirriemuir in 2023. Reserve – A Petrie, Maryton, with a one-crop ewe by a £10,000 Woolfords out of a ewe by an Achdregnie loan. Champion at Alyth this year and champion as a ewe lamb at Kirriemuir. Shearling, tup lamb, ewe – A Petrie. Gimmer, ewe lamb – DR Hood.
Suffolk (Judge: WJ Brown, Turriff). Champion, supreme sheep and champion of champions – G Christie, Inverurie, with a gimmer by Howgillfoot Sniper bought for 5500gns at Lanark. Her sire has bred two Highland show champions and a 10,000gns gimmer. She is also a full sister to two rams that sold for 4200gns and 3500gns at Shrewsbury. Reserve – F Christie, Inverurie, with a one-crop-ewe by Howgillfoot Sniper out of a dam by Crewlands Kingpin. She is a half sister of the champion and stood supreme at Angus. Shearling – JA Lorimer, Kingswells. Tup lamb, gimmer – G Christie. Ewe – F Christie. Ewe lamb – Senga Barron.
Jacob (Judge: R Locker, Greenlaw). Champion – Barbara Webster, Newburgh, with a February-born ram lamb by Blackbrook Mohawk, out of Carochy Tilly. Reserve champion at the Royal Highland Show. Reserve – Karen Adams, Banchory, with a ewe lamb by Carochy Vatten, out of Lynken. First outing. Aged tup, shearling, tup lamb, gimmer – Barbara Webster. Ewe, ewe lamb – Karen Adams.
Any other native sheep (Judge: N Dow, Sauchen). Champion – R Groat, Bishopton Bungalow, Portlethen, with a two-crop Lyham-bred Border Leicester ewe. Reserve – R and B Aitken, Alford, with a one-crop Ryeland ewe sired by Fetternear Arabia. First outing. Aged tup – Diane Milligan. Shearling – K Skene and M Mackie, Edzell. Tup lamb, ewe lamb – Kiah Burgoyne, Forfar. Ewe – R Groat. Gimmer – R and B Aitken.
Beltex (Judge: DB Farmer, Lumphanan). Champion – Ellie Miller, Miller Farms, Midmar, with Ellie’s Jewel Eyes, a sired by Vicki’s Gladiator and bred from Lurg Ellie. Placed at Angus and the Royal Highland. Reserve – Ellie Miller’s Ellie’s How Do You Like Me Now, a two-year-old ewe out of Faughhills EyeCandy and sired by Woody’s Explosive. Her tup lamb was champion at Angus. Aged tup – Ava Alston, Brechin. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb – Ellie Miller.
Texel (Judge: DB Farmer). Champion and reserve overall sheep – Gillian Adams, Deevalley Texels, with a gimmer by Harestone Fury. Shown as a ewe lamb and first at Tarland. Reserve – Gillian Adams’ ram lamb by Deveronvale Gino. Aged tup, ewe lamb – A and T Greenhill, Kellas. Shearling – Carmont Valley Livestock. Tup lamb, ewe, gimmer – Gillian Adams.
Blue Texel (Judge: R Shand, Aberchirder). Champion – Deborah Atkinson, Insch, with Derg Foxylady, a two-crop-ewe by Beili Blues Euphoric out of Derg Dakota. First here last year. Reserve – Deborah Atkinson’s Bal-Tor Firework, a three-shear-tup sired by Saltire Blue Avitar and bred from Dejae Baabs. First at the Royal Highland. Aged tup, shearling, ewe, ewe lamb – Deborah Atkinson. Tup lamb – A Adams, Banchory. Gimmer – A Alston jnr, Brechin.
Any other continental sheep (Judge: B MacKinnon, Bridge of Earn). Champion – Laura Needham, Sauchen, with the Dutch Spotted two-shear tup, Carlaustan Fisher. He is by Tiptop Diablo and out of a Dutch imported ewe. First outing. Reserve – M Scott, Strathview, Forfar, with a January-born Badgerface Texel ewe lamb, by Beili Epic and out of a Woody’s Import ewe. First at Alyth. Aged tup – Laura Needham. Shearling, tup lamb, ewe – J Scott, Forfar. Gimmer – K Skene and M Mackie, Edzell. Ewe lamb – M Scott.
Cross sheep (Judge: F McIntyre, Dunalastair). Champion – W Mather and Sons, Brechin, with three native cross-bred ewes. Reserve – Sarah Finnie, Cuminestown, with three native cross-bred ewes/gimmers. Three native cross-bred ewes/gimmers – Sarah Finnie. Three continental cross-bred ewes/gimmers, three native cross-bred ewe lambs, three native cross-bred butchers lambs undressed – W Mather and Sons. Three continental cross-bred butcher lambs undressed – J Burgess, Dunkeld. Single ewe, single gimmer, single lamb – F Hood, Glen Clova.
Sheep young handlers (Judge: B MacKinnon). Champion – Frankie Hood. Reserve – Fallon Mather. Aged 12 and under – 1, Fallon Mather, 2, Blair Wilson, 3, Allan Alston. Aged 13-16 – 1, Frankie Hood, 2, Wilson Scott, 3, Florence McKeague.
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