JAMES MCKANE WINS SIMMENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP AT 2021 BALMORAL SHOW
WITH HILTONSTOWN INDIANA
The senior Simmental bull, Hiltonstown Indiana, owned by Ballymena suckler herd owner and pedigree breeder James McKane has been crowned Male and Supreme Overall Champion at the 152nd Balmoral Show, held on 22nd September 2021, at Balmoral Park, Lisburn.
Born in January 2017, Hiltonstown Indiana was bred by Richard and Rhys Rodgers, Portglenone, and is stock bull in the McKane family’s 50-cow commercial herd, which is run alongside six pedigree cows registered under the Springfarm prefix. He is sired by the 2014 and 2015 Balmoral supremo Dermotstown Delboy, and is out of the Auroch Amos daughter Hiltonstown Erica VG88.
Balmoral Show was Indiana’s second outing, with him having previously won the Male Championship at Ballymena Show in 2019.
County Antrim Simmental judge Robin Boyd described the overall winner as “a big, well-grown bull with strength and power.”
Claiming the day’s Female and Reserve Championship honours was the January 2020 born maiden heifer Drumsamney Lady Jane, brought out by Jonathan Henderson, and father Roger, from Desertmartin. Sired by Kilbride Farm Glenhead, she is the second calf bred from the Omorga Murray daughter Ranfurly Lady Diana 29th ET, purchased for 3,900gns at the Ranfurly Herd’s production sale at Dungannon in September 2016.
The Drumsamney prefix was founded in 2010 and currently comprises of 12 pedigree cows.
The Henderson duo also scooped the Reserve Female Championship title with another Kilbride Farm Glenhead daughter. The March 2020 born Drumsamney Intrepid’s Lola was bred from Newbiemains Intrepid, the Reserve Female Champion at Stirling in October 2018.
Former British Simmental Breed Society President Robin Boyd, who owns the Slievenagh Herd based at Portglenone, is a highly respected judge who has officiated at major shows throughout the UK and Ireland, and twice at the Danish National Show.
“It has been an honour to add Balmoral Show to my list of ‘royal show’ judging appointments,” said Mr Boyd, who over the years has judged at Stoneleigh, the Highland, Welsh, Norfolk, Bath and West, and the famous Perth Bull Sales.
“Agricultural shows, like many other events, have been hit hard by the pandemic. This year’s Balmoral has attracted a small entry of Simmentals, but I’d like to congratulate the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society on organising a successful show under difficult circumstances. I’d also like to thank the exhibitors for supporting this year’s show.”
Specials
The Bobbie Dickson Perpetual Championship Trophy for the Supreme Champion: James McKane. Reserve: Jonathan Henderson.
British Simmental Cattle Society Engraved Crystal Glasses for the Supreme Champion: James McKane.
Imex Perpetual Cow Bell for the best British Simmental female: Jonathan Henderson. Reserve: Jonathan Henderson.
Bangor and Six Road Ends Farmers’ Union Perpetual Trophy for the Female Champion: Jonathan Henderson.
Bobbie Gamble Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the best heifer born between 1/1/19 and 30/6/20: Jonathan Henderson.
NI Simmental Club Trophy for the Male Champion: James McKane.
William Black Memorial Perpetual Cup for the Male Champion: James McKane.
News Letter Shield for the Junior Champion: Jonathan Henderson.
Classes
Heifer, born on or after 1/1/20 – 1, Jonathan Henderson, Drumsamney Lady Jane by Kilbride Farm Glenhead; 2, Jonathan Henderson, Drumsamney Intrepid’s Lola by Kilbride Farm Glenhead.
Bull, born on or before 31/12/19- 1, James Kane, Hiltonstown Indiana by Dermotstown Delboy.
Pair, property of exhibitor – 1, Jonathan Henderson, Drumsamney Lady Jane and Drumsamney Intrepid’s Lola.
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