Sadly, there’s not been much demand for Hereford cattle in recent years, but that could all change following the success of a three-year-old bull from Martin Poyser and daughters, Molly, Maisie and Hope’s Coxon herd, which scooped the overall champion of champions at Echt Show.
The Hereford, Milovaig 1 Vindicator, is stock bull for the family’s 37-cow herd from New Aberdour, Fraserburgh, and proved a unanimous winner according to the four selected inter-breed judges from the sheep, beef, goat and horse sections.
“He’s an exceptional bull and a great example of the breed,” said Hugh Thomson, Insch, who had earlier placed the Aberdeen Angus cattle. “He has a very good top line and he walks exceptionally well. He’s just a great looking animal,” he added.
@thescottishfarmer Sheep inter breed at Echt Show 📸 Rob Haining
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The Poysers, who moved north from Staffordshire, in 1988, have been breeding Herefords since 1967 and only started showing here last year when Vindicator won the any other breed honours at Echt, Turriff, New Deer, Banchory and Tarland.
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For the supreme overall, the Hereford was up against the inter-breed sheep, a Beltex from Alan Miller’s Lurg flock, that had earlier won the breed’s National Show; the lead goat, a Boer female from Maureen Ross, and the overall horse, Tylo Erebus, a three-year-old gelding that first won the arab and riding in hand section from Claire Chisman, Turriff.
All the inter-breed winners were selected on a points basis by the various judges, with the lead in the sheep lines being Alan Miller’s one-crop ewe, Lurg Hattie, from Midmar, Inverurie. National champion at last year’s event at Biggar, she is by Vickys Gladiator and bred from the Highland Showcase champion, Lurg Fern.
Lurg also won the reserve breed honours with a tup lamb by Pager Jackpot, which teamed up with Lurg Hattie, and a home-bred shearling ram and gimmer, to win the inter-breed group of four.
Just pipped at the post for the supreme sheep was the lead Suffolk, a two-crop ewe from Craig Paterson’s Cranorskie flock.
Charollais from Eilidh and Erin Duncan’s Braemuir flock, to include their breed champion and reserve winners from 29-strong ewe flock from Mintlaw, took the reserve inter-breed group.
Strong competition for the runner-up in the beef lines resulted in a tie between the Limousin and commercial champion and Sandy Anderson, Aboyne, having to chose between the two.
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“I selected the commercial heifer because she is more balanced and pleasing to the eye,” he said.
Winning that award and a first commercial title at Echt was a black Limousin cross heifer from Gordon and Jack Hendry, Keith. Their home-bred Casino Kid is by Garvaughan O’jack.
Commercials from Blair Duffton and Steven Smith, Huntly, triumphed to win the inter-breed group of three.
Inter-breed calf champion was a two-month-old three-quarter British Blue cross bullock shown by Ellie Youngson (7) from Westerton, Echt.
The same home also won the award for the best cow with the four-year-old British Blue, Sunnybank Poloma Faith.
Supreme horse was Clare Chisman’s stylish Tylo Erebus, a gelding by the former champion winner here, Smallbland Entertainer, out of Rhoselena. Erebus was champion at the North of Scotland Welsh Group Show, the Royal Northern Spring Show and was shown in hand by Tom Marshall.
Runner up was the Clydesdale supreme, Barns Maisie, a yearling filly from James Ingram, Drumoak, Banchory.
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Leading Awards
Aberdeen Angus (Judge: H Thomson, Insch). Champion – N and M Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with the November 2022-born Tonley Princess Y022, a daughter of Kilmaluag Eriskay out of a previous home-bred Princess. Second at the Royal Highland. Reserve – R Gardiner, Skene, with Newton Jill Erica, the second prize winner to the champion and a daughter of Idvies of Ferrari. She was first at the Black Beauty Bonanza. Bull – R Gardiner. Cow, senior heifer, calf – G and F Willox. Junior heifer – N and M Wattie.
British Blonde (Judge: R Pettit, Fochabers). Champion and reserve – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with home-bred entries brought out by Gavin Petrie. Champion was Strathisla Tanya, a previously unshown heifer by the Doncombe Mojito son, Strathisla Pascoe, out of Allerston Jasmine. Reserve was Strathisla Melody, an eight-year-old show cow by Hadley Esquire out of Strathisla Venus, shown with bull calf at foot. First outing of 2024. All classes – A Watt.
British Blue (Judge: T Illingworth, Lockerbie). Champion – B Duffton, Huntly, with Harelaw Star, an in-calf heifer by Henlli Wishmaster, bred from Woodend Leonna purchased at Carlisle for 23,000gns. She has secured several champion and reserve honours this year including reserve inter-breed beef at Ayr Show. Reserve – J Youngson, Westhill, Aberdeen, with Sunnybank Paloma Faith, a four-year-old by Empire D’Ochain out of Rhymil Madonna, bought at Carlisle for 4800gns after standing reserve female champion. Champion at Turriff 2023. Cow, calf – J Youngson. Heifer – B Duffton.
Charolais (Judge: R Pettit, Fochabers). Champion – JB Wilkie and Sons, Braigiewell, Echt, with Lettoch Tanya, a 22-month-old heifer on her first outing, bred by C Stuart, Lettoch. She is sired by Harestone Otto and out of Lettoch Oti. Reserve – G Allardyce, Tarland, with Howecronar Unique, a 15-month-old heifer by Firhills Oliver out of Lesliepark Jasmine – bought at the herd dispersal. Champion at Fettercairn. Heifer – JB Wilkie and Sons.
Highland (Judge: J McKechnie, Gartocharn). Champion – A Polson, Portlethan, with the black bull, Inness 1 of Glenfinnan, a 22-month-old son of Alisdair 4 of Woodneuk out of Iona of Craigluscar, shown by Kirsty Neil. Reserve male at the Royal Highland and senior champion at Stars of the Future. Reserve – Veronica Thomson, Maud, with Fiona of Congash, a yearling heifer by Hector of Earn, out of Lorraine 2 of Balnabroich, bought privately last year from Dave Smith. Champion at the North of Scotland Club Show. Senior bull – A Polson. Junior bull – Morag Middleton. Cow, calf – J Fraser. Three-year-old heifer, two-year-old heifer, yearling heifer – V Thomson.
Limousin (Judge: T Illingworth, Lockerbie). Champion – H Emslie, Mintlaw, with the three-year-old bull, Goldies Jackpot, a son of Ampertaine Foreman out of Goldies Vitality, bought for 10,000gns at Carlisle. First outing from the 35-cow Emslies herd. Reserve – I Miller, Midmar, Inverurie, with Millers Unite, a previously unshown 10-month-old heifer by Ampertaine Elgin, bred from Westpit Silly, a 12,000gns purchase as a calf at foot at the herd production sale. Senior bull – H Emslie. Junior bull, calf – I Miller. Cow – R Youngson. Heifer – B Duffton.
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Beef Shorthorn (Judge: K Mair, Turriff). Champion – Fiona Davidson, Kirkton, Mintlaw, with Fordie Taskmaster, a home-bred bull by Coxhill Prince, out of Glenisla Eva Broadhooks J98. Reserve junior at Stars of the Future. Reserve – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith with the two-year-old, Strathisla Spark, a son of Smallburn Nevada out of Grandtullybrae Yantara Trixy 4. Senior bull, cow, senior heifer, calf – A Watt. Junior bull – F Davidson. Junior heifer – G Allardyce.
Any other native breed (Judge: R Pettit, Focharbers). Champion, inter-breed beef and overall champion of champions – M Poyser and daughters, Molly, Maisie and Hope, New Aberdour, Fraserburgh, with Milovaig 1 Vindicator, a three-year-old Hereford bull by Shraden 1 Perostroika, out of Milovaig 1 Bonnie Belle 6, bought privately from Callum Smith. Second at the Royal Highland. Reserve from the same home was the home-bred yearling heifer, Coxon 1 Beauty, a previously unshown Hereford heifer by Coxon 1 Jack out of Coxon 1 Jane. All classes – M Poyser and daughters.
Cross cattle (Judge: M Robertson, Dufftown). Champion and reserve inter-breed beef – G and J Hendry, Keith, with Casino Kid, a home-bred black Limousin cross heifer by Garyvaughan O’jack, out of a British Blue cross cow. First at the Spring Show. Reserve – B Duffon, Huntly, with the second prize winner to the champion, Little Miss Muffitt, a rising two-year-old black Limousin cross heifer bred at Newton of Logierait. Champion and reserve inter-breed at Fettercairn, champion at Stars of the Future and Thainstone Spectacular, second at the Royal Highland. Unhaltered champion – S Smith, Claymires, with a home-bred Limousin cross British Blue cow shown with Limousin cross calf at foot. Reserve – S Smith with a pair of black Limousin cross yearlings. Unhaltered cow and calf, pair – S Smith. Haltered cow, bullock under 12months of age – B Paterson. Heifer calf born 2024, heifer under 12months of age, bullock calf born 2024 – I Miller. Heifer 12-24months old, bullock 12-24months – G and J Hendry.
Carcase cattle (Judge: McIntosh Donald, Portlethen). Champion – W and J Cameron, with a Limousin cross bullock 400.6kg deadweight -U4L. Reserve – D Farquhar, with a Limousin cross bullock 361.9kg, U+3L.
Young handlers (Judge: T Illingworth, Lockerbie). Aged 11yrs and under – 1, Lily Smith; 2, Jess Williams; 3, Molly Poysner. 12-15years – 1, Tara Adams; 2, James Allardyce; 3, M Littlejohn. 16-26yrs – 1, Chloe McGowan; 2, Maisie Poyser; 3, Kirsty Neill.
Clydesdales (Judge: K Wilson, Blackford). Champion and reserve inter-breed horse – J Ingram, Drumoak, Banchory, with the yearling filly Barns Maisie, a daughter of Collessie Highlander out of Barns Lady Rachel. Maisie did well as a foal and was fifth at the Royal Highland. Reserve – G Skinner, Strathorn, Inverurie, with the seven-year-old gelding, Collessie King Edward, a veteran show winner and working horse that won most of the silverware at shows in the North east in 2022. He is sired by Doura Master Eddie and out of Collessie Robyn. Yearling filly – J Ingram. Senior gelding – G Skinner. Yeld mare, ridden – G Young.
Highland ponies (Judge: B Haliburton, Blairgowrie). Champion – R and Karen Stewart with the five-year-old home-bred stallion, West Lodge McNair, sired by Glenmazerean N Dailach, out of West Lodge Cara. Supreme horse at Turriff in 2022 and champion Highland and reserve overall heavy horse at Banchory Show; supreme at Puddledub and overall mountain and moorland at Horse and Country 2023. Reserve – Sarah MacIntosh, Greystone, Blackhills, Peterhead, with the 14-year-old mare, Tiana May of Forglen shown with her colt foal at foot. She is by Marnonwells Gleanneages, out of Dawnmay of Forglen and was bred by Gordon Towns. First outing of 2024 and first at the Royal Highland in 2023. Stallion – R and K Stewart. Gelding – Lisa McEwen. Mare, mare with foal – Sarah MacIntosh. Foal, yearling – Lynne McDonald. Two-year-old – Katrine Cowe. Three-year-old – Carol Robertson. Ridden – Julie Freeman.
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Standard Shetland (Judge: K Adam, Alloa). Champion – Irene Spence, Alford, with the 13-year-old veteran show mare, Warrackston Tamara, by Scammells Criterion, out of Tay of Tay of Hutton. Former champion winner here and at Banchory. Bred by brother Ian Spence. Reserve – Joy Wilde, with Warrickston Delight, another bred by Ian Spence. This seven-year-old by Strauss of Auckhorn is out of Merkisayre Dionne and was shown with filly foal at foot. Former reserve winner at the breed show. Yeld mare/ gelding – Irene Spence. Mare, foal – J Wilde. Yearling – Margaret Greaves. Two/three-year-old – Lisa Walls. Stallion – Elizabeth Miller.
Miniature Shetland (Judge: K Adam). Champion and reserve – Ann Irvine, Rothienorman, Inverurie. Supreme was the 10-year-old veteran show mare, Moon Shadow of Ore, sired by Rocky of Haybrake, a former champion winner here, out of Hazelhead Moonbeam. Champion at Turriff in 2023 and several other events in the north east. Reserve was the eight-year-old stallion, Helawi Highland Laddie by Helawi Northern Pride. Champion at the Royal Northern Spring Show, North Shetland Pony Group and Tarland Show. Yeld mare or gelding, mare with foal, foal, yearling, stallion – A Irvine. Two/three-year-old – Christine Forbes. Young handlers – Elizabeth Miller
National Beltex Show (Judge: J Harbinson, Co Londonderry). Champion, inter-breed sheep and member of the winning inter-breed group of four – A Miller, Lurg, Inverurie, with Lurg Hattie, a one-crop ewe that was champion at last year’s National Show at Biggar. She is by Vickys Gladiator, out of Lurg Fern, a show ewe that was champion at the Highland Showcase in 2020, and was brought out by assistance of daughter Ellie Miller and shepherd Finn Christie. Reserve – A Miller with a tup lamb by the 14,000gns Pager Jackpot out of Buckles Gem, an 11,000gns purchase at Carlisle. He was also a member of the winning inter-breed team of four. Reserve female – S Wood, Woolhillock, with a home-bred gimmer by Woodies Explosive out of a Kingledores ewe shared with the Lurg flock. Second at the Royal Highland. Reserve male – R Wood, Kingledores, Tweedsmuir, with a March-born ram lamb by Vickys Gladiator out of a sister of the 11,000gns Kingledores Godzilla. First outing. Aged ram – 1, R Wood; 2, A Baillie; 3, J Barclay. Shearling ram – 1, A Miller; 2, A Baillie; 3, S Wood. Ewe – 1, A Miller; 2, S Wood; 3, R Wood. Gimmer – 1, S Wood; 2, A Morton; 3, R Gregor. Tup lamb – 1, A Miller; 2, A Miller; 3, R Wood. Ewe lamb – 1, R Wood; 2, A Miller; 3, S Wood. March-born tup lamb – 1, R Wood; 2, A Baillie; 3, A Miller. March-born ewe lamb – 1, Ellie Miller; 2, A Miller; 3, A Baillie. Pair by the same sire – 1, A Miller; 2, A Morton; 3, Laura Cousar.
Bluefaced Leciester (Judge: J Pirie, Drymen). Champion – N Dow, Upper Sauchen, Sauchen, with a two-crop ewe bought at the Blue Belles sale at Carlisle last year from Kirkstead. She is sired by Leadburnlea M003 and out of Kirkstead L37. First outing since. Reserve – C Millican, Newton of Hassiewells, Rothienorman, with a ewe lamb by a Newbigging sire bought at Kelso last year for £6200 from Obie Sharp, in partnership with Davie Cowie and Ross Williams, out of a ewe by a home-bred sire. First outing. Tup, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb – C Millican. Ewe – N Dow.
Blue Texel (Judge: A Weir, Bonnybridge). Champion – S Wood, Woolhillock, Skene, with a ewe lamb by the 6000gns Matts Escobar, bred from a Saltire ewe by the 8000gns Hackney Classy. Shown by young Murray Wood with assistance of Harry Askwith. Reserve was the mother of the champion. Aged ram, shearling ram – Deborah Atkinson. Ewe, tup lamb, ewe lamb – S Wood. Gimmer – N Robertson.
Suffolk (Judge: M Stuart, Ellon). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – C Paterson, Aberchirder, with a home-bred ewe from his Cranorskie flock sired by Strathbogie Stormzy and out of a home-bred ewe by Strathbogie AK Magic. Champion at Turriff, Keith and the Black Isle, last year. Reserve – F Christie, Inverurie, with a gimmer by the 32,000gns Pyeston Prince out of a Crewelands Kingpin-sired ewe. Second at the Highland. Shearling ram – Laura Needham. Ewe, club pair – C Paterson. Gimmer – F Christie. Tup lamb – G Christie. Ewe lamb – S Lorimer.
Texel (Judge: Melissa Buchan, Buchan, New Aberlour). Champion and reserve – Gillian Adams, Raemoir, with a gimmer and tup lamb respectively from the Deevalley flock. Supreme was a daughter of the 4000gns Harestone Fury out of a Cairnam ewe bought at the Lanark Christmas Cracker sale for 5000gns. Champion at Fettercairn. Reserve was a tup lamb by Deveronvale Gino bred from the same Cairnam ewe. Reserve at Fettercairn. All classes – G Adams.
Zwartbles (Judge: Eoin Harrold, Keith). Champion and reserve – Hannah Murray (18), Monymusk, with a gimmer and tup lamb respectively. The champion is by the privately purchased Janetstown Hillbilly and out of a home-bred ewe. She was champion here last year. Reserve was a January-born tup lamb by Janetstown Lava out of a home-bred ewe. All classes – H Murray.
Any other native breed (Judge: C Anderson, Strathdon). Champion and reserve – A Polson, Portlethen, with North Country Cheviots. Supreme was a home-bred shearling ram by the £4500 Sebay Cannonball bought at Lockerbie, out of a home-bred ewe, brought out by shepherd Raymond Smith. Champion at the Black Isle in 2023, and first at the Highland in June. Reserve was a gimmer by the Quoybrae purchase Corncoy Classic, out of a home-bred ewe. First outing. Tup, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb – A Polson. Ewe – R Groat
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Any other continental (Judge: E Mutch, Forglen). Champion – C Cruden, Dyce, with a one-crop Bleu Du Maine ewe by Standingstone Ramos, a home-bred son of a Langley tup, out of a Perdi ewe bought at the flock dispersal. Reserve champion at the Royal Highland this year and in 2023. She was also reserve at Turriff and champion any other breed at Banchory and Keith 2023. Reserve – S Wood, Woolhillock, with a Woodies Badgerface Texel gimmer by the imported Full Monty sire, bred from Dutch ewe imported six years ago. First outing. Tup – Laura Needham. Ewe, tup lamb, ewe lamb – C Cruden. Gimmer – S Wood.
Ryeland (Judge: A Frazier, Anstruther). Champion – Eilidh Garrett (21), Drumoak, with a white home-bred gimmer by Ryeside Burrian out of a privately purchased Redsewell ewe. Reserve – R Aitken, Fetternear, Inverurie, with a two-shear ram by Fetternear Aramis, out of a home-bred ewe. First at Fettercairn. Tup – R Aitken. Ewe, ewe lamb – Kim Harding/ Gimmer – E Garrett. Tup lamb – Ashlie Munro.
Oxford Down (Judge: J Wilson, Mintlaw). Champion – K Milne, Alford, with a mid-February-born ram lamb by Monkstone Glenfiddich, out of a home-bred ewe and reserve with a February-born ewe lamb by the same sire and bred from one of 60 ewes in the Bennachie flock. All classes – K Milne
Charollais (Judge: E Mutch, Forglen). Champion – Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Mintlaw, with a gimmer by Broadgate Warrior out of a home-bred ewe and reserve with the shearling tup, Saveoch Buffalo Bill which was bought at Worcester last year as a lamb. He was male champion in the North of Scotland flock competition. The champion and reserve from the Braemuir flock along with another two made up the reserve inter-breed team of four. Tup, gimmer, ewe lamb – E and E Duncan. Ewe, tup lamb – Joanne Singer.
Cross sheep pens of three (Judge: K Moir, Tyrie). Champion – N Dow, Upper Sauchen, Sauchen, with a pen of three previously unshown Texel cross gimmers out of home-bred Suffolk cross ewes. Reserve – R Wilkie, Tillyboy, with a two-crop Texel cross Cheviot cross Half-bred two-crop ewe bought at Quoybrae, brought out by Gordon Forbes. Shown with March-born Suffolk cross ewe lambs at foot. First outing. Three native gimmers – D Moir. Three continental gimmers, three native-bred ewes , three continental ewe lambs – N Dow. Three cross ewes – Sarah Finnie. Three butchers’ lambs, three ewes and lambs – R Wilkie.
Cross sheep singles (Judge: K Moir). Champion and supreme cross sheep – D Moir, Cairness, Fraserburgh, with an end of February-born Border Leicester cross Suffolk ewe lamb by a Clola sire. First outing and to be retained as a breeding female. Reserve – Sarah Finnie, Cuminestown, with a home-bred one-crop three-quarter Texel ewe by a Knock sire. First outing. Ewe – Sarah Finnie. Gimmer, lamb – D Moir.
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Carcase lambs on the hoof – Champion and reserve – R Wilkie.
Young handlers (Judge: Jamie Pirie, Drymen). Seven years and under – 1, Lucy Youngson; 2, Sienna Marr; 3, Bobby Youngson. 8-11yrs – 1, George Kemp; 2, Archie Barclay; 3, Emelia Garvie. 12-16yrs – 1, Cameron Barclay; 2, Wilson Stott; 3, Lucy McKessick.
Dairy goats (Judge: A Yule, Glamis). Champion – Dr Katy Whitby-Last with the six-year-old Anglo Nubian Kaverquil Estelia, a 2022 British Goat Society breed champion winner by Ashden Absulon out of Mineshop Charis. She gave 1110kg in her second 365-day lactation. Reserve – Dr Katy Whitby-Last with the Anglo Nubian goatling, Kaverquil Madeline, by Mineshop Buzzard out of the champion. Best goatling at Angus . All classes – Dr K Whitby-Last.
Any other breed (Judge: A Yule). Champion and supreme goat – Maureen Ross, Balmedie with Balmedie Ivy, a two-year-old Boer in milk that won the Scottish Dairy Goat Boer Show at the Royal Highland on the Saturday. She is sired by Caistelaic Eddie. Reserve – Maureen Ross with the Boer goatling, Balmedie Jura, a daughter of Topknot Theodore that was first at the Royal Highland. All classes – M Ross.
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