Dumfries Show provided the setting for the Simmental breed to put on a fantastic 2023 Scottish Simmental National Show on Saturday 5th August. The forecast rain just about held off long enough for the exhibitors from the north of England, along with exhibitors from the north, central belt, west, and south west of Scotland, to put on a collective quality promotion of Simmental cattle across the classes. Both sections saw some heavyweight shootouts as high performing summer show cattle came together for the first time, combined with new lines and new faces at this years’ shows.
Judge Bridget Borlase in action
At the end of some three hours of intense judging by Bridget Borlase of the noted Sacombe herd, Watton, Hertfordshire, it was the six-year-old Popes Princess Immie, with her bull calf at foot Popes Premier, from Messrs JH & VG Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston, Lancs who got the Championship tap forward to win the Overall Supreme Championship. Following straight on from the Simmental judging, Popes Princess Immie moved straight to the head to head with the other breed Champions and where she powered through to win the Overall Individual Interbreed and this time in front of the judge Stephen Illingworth, Howgillside Farm, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie.
These latest wins capped a remarkable showing year for Popes Princess Immie as she added the Scottish Simmental National Show, and Dumfries Show Interbreed titles, to the Simmental Supreme at the English Simmental National Show, and Reserve Continental Interbreed, at the Royal Norfolk; and the Simmental Supreme and Overall Individual Interbreed titles at the Great Yorkshire Show. At the Scottish Simmental National Show the Popes herd roll call of prizes included: Simmental Supreme Champion, Dumfries Show Interbreed Champion, Overall Simmental Female, and with Popes Princess Noor winning Junior Female, and Reserve Junior Champion. Quite a show and quite a summer!
Sired by Kilbride Farm Comber, Popes Princess Immie is out of the herd’s heralded show cow Popes Princess Cleo who herself secured a number of ‘major’ show Interbreeds in 2017, also as a six-year-old, and with Immie as her calf at foot! Immie has also had a tremendous calf at foot herself in the shape of the January born Popes Premier sired by Popes Lethal Weapon.
Commenting on her Champion, the judge Bridget Borlase said: “This is just a super cow and I feel a very worthy winner amidst some really strong competition and a tough but very enjoyable one to judge. Immie’s not overly big but is very well balanced and has a tremendous show ring presence. She’s just full of flesh and carries herself ever so well. With plenty of sparkle she oozes femininity and is doing a great job of what is a terrific calf at foot.” Of the day generally, the judge wen on to say: “I’d firstly like to thank the Scottish Simmental Club, Dumfries Show, and the British Simmental Cattle Society for the great honour of being invited to judge this year’s high profile show. I’d also like to congratulate the breeders and the stock people for the breed spectacle they put on today, you’d go a long way to see a better show! The line up of prize winners from across the female classes was outstanding and a great credit to all. As the judge watching class after class, I can say the breed in general is in a really healthy place which is great to see.”
For the Wood family of Jimmy, Vikki, Harry, and Hannah,and all the supporting team the win at Dumfries ensured what has been a marquee show year for the 50-cow Popes herd. Speaking afterwards Vikki Wood said: “We are all absolutely thrilled to win the Scottish Simmental National Show to cap what has been an amazing summer show season for us. The standard here at Dumfries Show was so high and I’d really like to congratulate all of the exhibitors. Achieving these wins is of course fantastic for the Popes herd but the shows are really all about putting good quality cattle in front of people and flying the Simmental flag. I think all of the breeders here really collectively achieved that.” Continuing Vikki went on to say: “We’ve had some tremendous Popes females at shows in past years and I think Immie is now right up there. She’s more than done her bit and will now gracefully retire from the show ring. The Popes herd is all about females and families, strong, proven female lines breeding the next generation of replacement females, and bulls for sales. The shows continue to be a tremendous and important shop window for breeding lines and forward sales.”
The much anticipated senior cow class provided a bit of a clash of the titans with Popes Princess Immie narrowly pipping the rising eight-year-old Annick Colleen’s Ginger from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire. Bred by the late Lachlan Quarm, By Irvine, Ayrshire, Annick Colleen’s Ginger is by Corskie Callum and out of Annick Prudence’s Colleen EX95. She was bought by the Simmers at the Annick Herd Dispersal Sale in Stirling in September last year for a combined 23,000gns with her calf at foot, and a Simmental sale breed record for an outfit. From the class, Annick Colleen’s Ginger followed the Champion all the way through to take the Overall Reserve Supreme title. Ginger was shown with her February 2023 born heterozygous polled heifer calf at foot, Backmuir Ginger’s Paprika (P). Of her reserve Overall, Bridget Borlase said: “Again, the reserve was an extremely well balanced cow, showed herself extremely well, and was just that bit older than the Champion. Another super outfit and it was a very close run competition between Champion and Reserve with both just full of quality.”
Underlining the quality factor, the very next class saw the three year old Annick Ginger’s Lucia, this year’s Overall Simmental Supreme at the Royal Highland Show, win the class for cow’s born between 1st January 2020 and 31st January 2020. Also bred by Lachlan Quarm, Ginger’s Lucia was another to be purchased at the Annick Dispersal Sale and where she made 16,000gns. Annick Ginger’s Lucia is out of the aforementioned Annick Colleen’s Ginger and is sired by Wolfstar Golddigger.
Backmuir Eva’s Neva Reserve Junior Female
Making a long journey very worthwhile the Backmuir team also picked up the Reserve Junior Female title with their January 2022 born heifer Backmuir Eva’s Neva who won the class for heifers born between Ist January and 31st March 2022. Also a class winner at this year’s Royal Highland, Eva’s Neva is by Islavale Imperial and is out of Starline Eva 25th.
Popes Princess Noor Junior Female & reserve Junior ChampionJunior Female Championship – Popes Princess Noor & Backmuir Eva’s Neva
Another star from the Popes team this summer has been the heifer Popes Princess Noor and she was at it again in Dumfries when lifting the Junior Female and Reserve Junior Championship. Again, with a connectivity in breeding, this April 2022 born ET calf is by the noted Team Celtic and out of Popes Princess Hettie making her a full sister to the 2022 English Simmental National Champion Popes Princess Lumi, and a half sister to Popes Princess Immie. These titles added to the Junior Championship win at the Royal Norfolk, the Reserve Junior Championship at the Great Yorkshire, and being part of the winning Junior Interbreed Team of Four also at Harrogate, for this stylish heifer.
Male Champion Overhill House NikoJunior Championship – Overhill House Niko & Popes Princess Noor
In a good show of bulls it was Overhill House Niko from Richard McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian, who proved to be the day’s star turn in this section when winning the Male Championship, Junior Male Championship, and Overall Junior Championship. Entirely homebred, Niko is by Overhill House Enhance, a Banwy T-Rex son. His granddam on the sire line is Ranfurly Weikel 6th who was purchased as an in-calf heifer from David Hazelton and who herself had a strong show record behind her. Overhill House Niko is out of the cow Overhill House Keelo. Commenting on her Male Champion, Bridget Borlase said: “I really liked this bull. He’s just full of breed character, has plenty of length, and has a lovely quality, soft flesh to him.” This Male Championship comes on the back of a strong sales year for the Overhill House team that saw them take the top price at the Simmental sales at both Stirling and Carlisle in May, and with Stirling seeing a top all -breeds price of 16,000gns for Overhill House Neil. Speaking afterwards Richard McCulloch said: “We’re delighted to win the Male Championship and it’s been a tremendous show of Simmental cattle, maybe the best I’ve seen at a one day show.” The plan from here is that Overhill House Niko will be aimed at the Stirling Simmental Sale in October.
Reserve Male & Senior Male Champion Islavale JabbaMale Championship – Overhill House Niko & Islavale Jabba
It was great to see some senior Simmental bulls in the show ring and from this section came the Reserve Male Champion in the shape of the winner of Class one, Islavale Jabba from Gavin Brown’s Springfield herd at Penicuik, Midlothian. Bred by WS Stronach, Keith Banffshire this bull was originally purchased for 6000gns in 2020 through United Auctions. A prolific breeder in the 30 cow herd he has sired some 40 calves in this last two years. With a show track record behind him Islavale Jabba, ‘a well muscled senior bull that has retained his sweetness’, took Reserve Senior Bull and Reserve Overall Male at the 2021 Live Streamed Royal Highland Show. This year he has won the Overall Championship at Dalkeith Show. a has taken Overall Champion at Dalkeith Show this year. At the 2021 Live Streamed Royal Highland Show, he took Reserve Snr Bull and Reserve Overall Male. Standing Reserve in the Senior Males was Auchorachan Kennedy from local breeders Jim & Patricia Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan. This four year old bull, bred by D&R Durno & Sons, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch, was purchased for 9000gns at Stirling in February 2021. 2019 born he is a son of the prolific Auchorachan Hercules, and is out of Auchorachan Gypsy EX92, a Rabawn Caesar King daughter.
Junior Male Championship – Overhill House Niko & Annick Nazareth
Taking the Reserve Junior Male was Annick Nazareth from the Merkland herd of Jim & Liz Dyet, East Merkland Farm, Strathaven. This April 2022 born bull was also bred by Lachlan Quarm and was a further purchase at the Annick Dispersal Sale when he made 7500gns as part of the outfit with his dam, Annick Friesia’s Kiki VG85. Sired by Kilbride Farm Karl, Annick Nazareth has this year been Champion at Neilston, and Ayr Show respectively, and was Reserve Champion at Newmilns Show. Described as a bull with ‘tremendous length and plenty of shape’, Annick Nazareth will be used as a stock bull in the Merkland pedigree herd.
In the Pairs, it was Lindsay Currie, along with his son Robert, Pinclanty, Pinmore, Girvan, Ayrshire who took first prize with two very smart heifers, Braegarrie Nadia, and Braegarrie Norma who had both placed second in their respective classes. The April 2022 born Nadia is by Woodhall Ferrari and is out of Braegarrie Julia, a Keeldrum Geronimo daughter. The August 2022 born Braegarrie Norma is by Overhill House Link 20, and is out of Braegarrie Giselle. Overhill House Link was purchased for 7500gns at the Stirling October Bull Sales in 2021 and is the stock bull in the fifteen cow Braegarrie pedigree herd. Commenting, Lindsay Currie said: “It’s the first time we’ve shown in a while but we were thrilled to support the Scottish Simmental National Show at a venue close to home. The heifers behaved really well in the ring considering it was their first time out and Robert and I are delighted to have won the Pairs class with them.”
Lindsay Currie, who along with his son Robert, won the Pairs Class with Braegarrie Nadia & Braegarrie Norma
The Scottish National Simmental Show
Kindly hosted by Dumfries & Lockerbie Agricultural Society
Saturday 5th August, 2023
Judge: Ms Bridget Borlase, Watton At Stone
Results
Class 107 Bull Born before 31st December 2021
1st 159 Islavale Jabba, Gavin Brown
2nd 158 Auchorachan Kennedy, Jim & Patricia Goldie
3rd 160 Springfield Masterclass, Gavin Brown
4th 161 Westridge Matty, Mr & Mrs M Ward & Sons
Class 108 Bull born between 1st January 2022 and 31st March 2022
1st 164 Newbiemains Nightrider, Jim & Patricia Goldie
Class 109 Bull born between 1st April 2022 and 30th June 2022
1st 166 Overhill House Niko, Richard McCulloch
2nd 169 Annick Nazareth,J & E Dyet
3rd 177 Denzies Neff, Barlow Brothers
4th 175 Popes Nami, J H & V G Wood
5th 173 Springfield Niagra, Gavin Brown
Class 110 Bull born between 1st July 2022 and 31st December 2022
1st 184 Denzies Nacho, Barlow Brothers
2nd 217 Kennox Nero, David Craig
3rd 182 Braegarrie Nugget, D L & S Currie
4th 183 Braegarrie Nero, D L & S Currie
Class 111 Cow, born before 31st December 2019
1st 189 Popes Princess Immie, J H & V G Wood
2nd 185 Annick Coleen’s Ginger, Reece Simmers
3rd 187 Newbiemains Just a Star, Jim & Patricia Goldie
4th 186 Drumsleed Flick, J & E Dyet
Class 112 Cow born between 1st January 2020 & 31st December 2020
1st 190 Annick Ginger’s Lucia, Reece Simmers
2nd 191 Islavale Liquorice, Gavin Brown
Class 113 Heifer born between 1st January 2021 & 30th April 2021
1st 198 Popes Trixies Mikala, J H & V G Wood
2nd 193 Merkland Mandy, J & E Dyet
Class 114 Heifer born between 1st May 2021 & 31st August 2021
1st 196 Newbiemains My Girl, Jim & Patricia Goldie
2nd 201 Merkland Marie, J & E Dyet
3rd 194 Merkland Myra, J & E Dyet
Class 115 Heifer born between 1st September 2021 & 31st December 2021
1st 203 Grangewood Tollie’s Millie, A S & Y A Leedham
2nd 204 Coltfield Martha, J Cameron MacIver
Class 116 Heifer born between 1st January 2022 & 31st March 2022
1st 205 Backmuir Eva’s Neva, Reece Simmers
2nd 162 Annick Fresia’s Neomi, J Cameron MacIver
3rd 207 Grangewood Tollie’s Natasha, A S & Y A Leedham
4th 208 Future Newgirl, C A Jackson
Class 117 Heifer born between 1st April 2022 and 30th June 2022
1st 216 Popes Princess Noor, J H & V G Wood
2nd 213 Braegarrie Nadia, D L & S Currie
3rd 211 Backmuir Kreole’s Natasha, Reece Simmers
4th 209 Skerrington Faith, William Kirk
Class 118 Heifer born between 1st July 2022 & 31st December 2022
1st 218 Annick Lucia’s Nicosia, Reece Simmers
2nd 220 Braegarrie Norma, D L & S Currie
3rd 221 Braegarrie Nigella, DL & S Currie
4th 226 Grangewood Nicole, A S & Y A Leedham
5th 222 Newbiemains Nap, Jim & Patricia Goldie
Class 119 Calf born in the year of the Show on or after 1st January 2023
• Coolcran Heidi’s Noreen takes Overall Reserve • Champion and Reserve sired by Saltire Impressive
The maiden heifer Ballinalare Farm Nikita from Mr J & Mr A Wilson, Newry, Co Down continued her fine showing summer when winning the 2023 NI Simmental National Show Overall Supreme Championship on Saturday 22nd July, held within the Randox Antrim Show. Along the way, Nikita also picked up the Female Championship, and the Junior Championship from the judge for the day, Colin Inglis of the noted Greencap herd at Dalachy Farm, Aberdour, Fife.
These latest high profile wins, for the now seventeen-month-old maiden heifer, followed on from the Simmental Supreme Championship secured at the RUAS Balmoral Show, Belfast in May, an Interbreed at Ballymena, and multiple wins at various local shows.
February 2022 born, Ballinalare Farm Nikita is sired by the prolific 14,000gns Saltire Impressive She is out of Ballinalare Farm Ilyssa whose Granddam is a full sister of the noted Ballinalare Farm Nightrider who was bought by Iain Green, Fochabers and has bred bulls sold up to 18,000gns for his Corskie herd. Commenting, the judge Colin Inglis said: “My Champion was just an absolutely stand out heifer. She has size, power with great femininity, and had amazing style and presence in the ring. A terrific Simmental heifer who just had it all, and a very worthy Champion in a great show of cattle.”
Judge Colin Inglis
Of his day in the ring generally, Colin Inglis went on to say: “I was delighted to be asked to judge at the Northern Irish Simmental National Show, and would like to thank the NI Simmental Club for the invitation and for looking after me so well, it was a very enjoyable day. There was a really good standard of cattle overall showing the Simmental breed off so well, and as such every class was a strong one to judge. My Champion and Reserve came from the heifer classes and both were just the quality of animals that you’d be thrilled to have in your herd. Despite the female one, two, the bull classes were all of a very high standard and comprised of a good style of cattle, it really was a wonderful show of Simmental bulls.”
Having completed a memorable ‘summer show double’, a delighted Alan Wilson said: “We’ve very much enjoyed the summer and the show successes we’ve had with Nikita and against some strong competition. She’s always been a heifer with great style, and ‘look at me’ presence in the ring. When she’s in the ring there’s very little work for us involved as she shows herself off so well! The shows continue to be a shop window to promote your herd and this summer will help to profile the planned production sale for the Ballinalare herd next year, and being held along with the Ranfurly herd.” At the time of the report, the plan was for Ballinalare Farm Nikita to have one final outing this summer at Clogher Valley.
Taking the Reserve Overall, Reserve Female, and Reserve Junior titles was Coolcran Heidi’s Noreen from Shane and Paul McDonald, Tempo, Co Fermanagh. With plenty of breeding behind her, the October 2022 born Noreen is also by Saltire Impressive, the same sire as the Champion, and is out of Coolcran Ellas Heidi, a Dermotstown Delboy daughter and one of the most consistent breeding cows in the herd. Her Granddam, Coolcran Juliet’s Ella is a full sister of Coolcran Dazzler who was Intermediate Champion at Stirling in February 2014.
It was a high quality Championship shoot out and the judge Colin Inglis commented on his Reserve: “My Overall Reserve is just another high quality heifer, very correct and with plenty of style. She was that little bit younger but a terrific female full of potential.”
The NI Simmental National Show was the first outing for this autumn born heifer and speaking afterwards Shane McDonald was delighted with her performance: “Noreen is only nine months old and she showed herself really well in competing with the older heifers. From the word go, there has always been something very smart and sweet about this heifer and thankfully she seems to be living up to expectations at the moment. We think she has all the makings to be a star of the future.” Forward plans see the Champion and Reserve heifers likely to go head to head again with Coolcran Heidi’s Noreen also being aimed at Clogher Valley Show.
Consistent supporters of the NI Simmental Show, this year was the second consecutive year that the Coolcran herd has lifted the Reserve Overall Supreme title. Last year they picked up the award with Ashland Topaz Mair, another heifer who is sired by Saltire Impressive.
Male Champion – Craigy Notorious
Lifting the Male Championship was the February 2022 born bull Craigy Notorious from William & Jane Dodd, and their sons Jamie and Lewis, Saintfield, Co Down. Craigy Notorious is by Keeldrum Fabregas 14, and is out of the Popes Barclay daughter Craigy Violet G6. Also with a bit of a show record behind him, Craigy Notorious was Reserve Male and Reserve Junior Champion at the RUAS Balmoral Show this year. For the Dodds it’s been quite a start to their Simmental showing careers with back to back Male Championships at the RUAS Balmoral, the Reserve Male, and the Reserve Junior at this year’s RUAS Balmoral, and now the Male Championship at the NI Simmental National Show!
Reserve Male Champion – Kilbride Farm Neymar
Showing for the first time in some 23 years, to support the National Show, was the noted Kilbride Farm herd of WH Robson & Sons, Doagh, Ballyclare. The Robsons duly picked up the Reserve Male Champion with their April 2022 born Kilbride Farm Neymar. With polled genetics on either side of his pedigree, Neymar is by Kilbride Farm Jetstream (P), and is out of Kilbride Farm Eunice 287 J (P). So far eight Jetstream sons have been sold to pedigree herds and with a top price to date of 13,000gns. A full brother Kilbride Farm Marvel has been sold to Andrew Clarke of the Breaghey Herd, the current Chairman of the NI Simmental Breeders’ Club. Commenting, Norman Robson, who is the President of the British Simmental Cattle Society said: “It was a one off for the herd to show again to support the National Show, and we’re delighted to win the Reserve Male Championship. The aim from here is that Kilbride Farm Neymar will go to either the October 2023, or February 2024 Stirling Simmental Sale.”
2023 NI NATIONAL SIMMENTAL SHOW CLASSES & RESULTS
Class 61 – Senior heifer, born between 01/01/21 and 30/06/21 Kindly sponsored by Noel Kilpatrick Financial Services 1st Kenneth Stubbs – Drumagarner Michelle (29/06/2021) – sire Curaheen Dickens/ dam Drumagarner Gayle 2nd Brian O’Hare – Clonguish Nova (22/02/2021) – sire Raceview King /dam – Clonguish Eve
Drumagarner Michelle
Class 62 – Intermediate heifer, born between 01/07/21 and 31/12/21 Kindly sponsored by Biocell 1st JL & CJ Weatherup – Lisglass Mayflower (26/08/2021) – sire Raceview King/dam Lisglass Jellybean 2nd WD & JD Hazelton – Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st M14 (14/10/2021)- sire Auchorachan Hercules /dam Ranfurly Lady Diana 33rd J5
Lisglass Mayflower
Class 63 – Junior heifer, born between 01/01/22 and 30/04/22 Kindly sponsored by Robinsons Quarry Masters 1st Joe & Alan Wilson – Ballinalare Farm Nikita (08/02/2022) – sire Saltire Impressive /dam Ballinalare Farm Ilyssa 2nd Molly Bradley – Clonagh Posh Pixie (23/02/2022) – sire Tiset Darwin/dam Cloneygowan Temptress Posh 3rd Pat Kelly – Ashland Lucy Nora (17/04/2022) – sire Ashland Legacy /dam Ashland Lucy Kay 4th William Dodd – Craigy Jessica N2 (16/04/2022) -sire Keeldrum Fabregas/dam Craigy Jessica l 14 5th Kenneth Stubbs – Drumbulcan Nala (14/03/2022) – sire Drumlone Inmate /dam Drumbulcan Hayley
Bridgewater Farm Evie 5th
Class 64 – Junior heifer, born between 01/05/22 and 31/08/22 Kindly sponsored by Provita 1st Nigel Glasgow – Bridgewater Farm Evie 5th (22/08/2022)- sire Auchorachan Hercules/dam Bridgewater Farm Evie 2nd 2nd Richard Rodgers – Hiltonstown Nadia (ET) (11/07/2022) – sire Raceview King/dam Hiltonstown Topaz
Class 65 – Junior heifer, born between 01/09/22 and 31/12/22 Kindly sponsored by ABP 1st S&P McDonald – Coolcran Heidis Noreen (12/10/2022) – sire Saltire Impressive/dam Coolcran Ellas Heidi 2nd JL & CJ Weatherup – Lisglass Nectar (06/09/2022) -sire Alchester Kracker/dam Raceview Favourite 3rd Nigel Glasgow – Bridgewater Farm Hilda (05/12/2022) – sire Curaheen Bandit/dam Cloone Hilda
Breaghey Class P477
Class 66 – Heifer calf born in 2023 Kindly sponsored by T Met 1st Andrew Clarke- Breaghey Class -P477 (16/01/2023) – sire Omorga Horton / dam Breaghey Class -I286
Female Championship Kindly sponsored by T Met Female Champion – Ballinalare Farm Nikita Reserve Female Champion – Coolcran Heidis Noreen
Class 69 – Junior bull, born between 01/05/22 and 31/08/22 Kindly sponsored by Thompson Feeds 1st Cecil Mcilwaine – Corrick Nelson (30/06/2022) – sire Corrick Hamlet/dam Corrick Greta 2nd W H Robson & Sons – Kilbride Farm Normandy (P) (07/05/2022) – sire Sneumgaard Imperator (PP) /dam Kilbride Farm Eunice 308L (P) 3rd Richard Rodgers – Hiltonstown Neymar (17/08/2022) – sire Hiltonstown Lachlan/dam Hiltonstown Joy 4th Richard Rodgers – Hiltonstown Navigator (ET) (31/08/2022) – sire Celtic Rock / dam Hiltonstown Topaz
Lisglass Nugget
Class 70 – Junior bull, born between 01/09/22 and 31/12/22 Kindly sponsored by Animax 1st JL & CJ Weatherup – Lisglass Nugget (14/09/2022) – sire Kilbride Farm Dragoon /dam Lisglass Jellybean 2nd W H Robson & Sons – Kilbride Farm Nebulus (06/09/2022) – sire Kilbride Farm Jetstream (P)/dam Kilbride Farm Eunice 175 F 3rd Andrew Clarke – Breaghey Netflix (07/12/2022) – sire Woodhall Ferrari /dam Breaghey Vida 2
DANI Rosebowl bull performance Award awarded to the Bull which has High Index EBV’s and also placed highest in the judging. Kindly sponsored by George Hamilton 1st Kilbride Farm Neymar 149 points 2nd Kilbride Farm Normandy (P) 130 points 3rd Corrick Nevada 122 points 4th Craigy Notorious 114 points 5th Corrick Nelson 105 points 6th Ranfurly Notorious 101 points 7th Ashfurly Notorious 84 points 8th Lisglass Nugget 80 points
Male Championship Kindly sponsored by Danskie Bank Male Champion – Craigy Notorious Reserve Male Champion – Kilbride Farm Neymar
Class 72 – Pair of animals, property of exhibitor Kindly sponsored by L & B Estate Agents 1st Cecil McIlwaine (Corrick) 2nd WD & JD Hazelton (Ranfurly) 3rd Andrew Clarke (Breaghey) 4th W H Robson & Sons (Kilbride Farm) 5th Kenneth Stubbs (Drumbulcan) 6th Nigel Glasgow (Bridgewater) 7th William Dodd (Craigy)
Class 73 – Young handler, aged 8 to 12 years-old on show day Kindly sponsored by Countryside Services 1st Rhys Rodgers 2nd Lewis Dodds 3rd Jamie Dodds 4th Danny Clarke 5th Ashton Wallace
Class 74 – Young handler, aged 13 to 18 years-old on show day Kindly sponsored by Fane Valley 1st Thomas McAlister
Cursons take the Male Championship with Cade Nugget
Popes Princess Noor lifts the Overall Junior Championship
Wacton herd wins most points across the show classes
Cade Nugget wins Male Continental Interbreed
Finlay Soutter wins Royal Norfolk Young Handlers Championship
The high-quality Simmental summer road show moved to the Royal Norfolk which provided the platform for the 2023 Simmental English National Show held on Wednesday 28th June. Close on sixty pedigree Simmentals put on a super breed spectacle in front of the judge John Moore of the highly noted Omorga herd, Omagh, Co Tyrone. After some strong competition across the classes it was the six-year-old cow Popes Princess Immie, with her bull calf at foot Popes Premier, who took the Overall Supreme Championship title, and Champion Female title, for Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Popes Farm, Preston, Lancashire.
Popes Princess Immie
For the Popes herd of some 50 cows and followers, and which is synonymous with producing quality Simmental females and bulls from high end cow families, this was a remarkable two in a row, and three out of the previous four, Overall Supreme Championships at the breed’s English National Shows! There’s clearly something in the Norfolk air that brings the best out of Popes Princess Immie as she won her class as a heifer in 2019 at the last English National held at the Royal Norfolk, and in what was her only previous show outing other than being shown as a calf at foot in Interbreed winning teams with her mum in 2017! Full of breeding Popes Princess Immie is by the 20,000gns stock bull Kilbride Farm Comber who the Woods say is ‘really stamping some quality females through the herd’ and is out of the noted Popes Princess Cleo EX95. This highly decorated show cow in her own right was also the dam of last year’s English National Show Champion, Popes Princess Lumi, and the dam of Popes Princess Hettie, the mother of the 2023 Junior Champion at the English National Show, Popes Princess Noor. For good measure, Popes Princess Immie’s cracking bull calf at foot, the January born Popes Premier by Popes Lethal Weapon, went on to win the prize for the Best Simmental Calf at Foot.
Commenting at the close of the judging, John Moore said: “Popes Princess Immie is just a very modern Simmental cow. She’s a super easy fleshing female with a lovely second thigh, is full of milk, and is a working Simmental mum rearing a really good calf at foot. Across the classes there’s been a terrific show of Simmentals, particularly the females, and the standard is a great credit to all of the exhibitors who I warmly congratulate.”
Speaking to this further Championship win, Jimmy & Vikki Wood said: “It’s really fantastic, and a great honour, to win the Simmental English National Show. A lot of hard work and dedication goes into the cattle by all in the Popes team and days like this continue to make it all so worthwhile. There have been some tremendous Simmental cattle on show this summer and today very much continued that trend. The local breeders in the East Anglian area are producing some great cattle and the quality of Simmental stock across the show was of a really high standard. We’ll continue to be very loyal to both the Simmental breed and to the English National Show as we feel it’s a terrific shop window.”
The aforementioned Popes Princess Noor cemented another top day for the Popes Herd when she won the Overall Junior, and Junior Female Championships. With a connectivity in breeding, this April 2022 born ET calf is by the noted Team Celtic and out of Popes Princess Hettie making her a full sister to the 2022 Champion Popes Princess Lumi, and a half sister to this year’s Champion. Again, this was a first show outing for this stylish young heifer.
Popes Princess Noor
Lifting the Reserve Overall Supreme, and the Female Overall Reserve, was the senior cow Sterling Celia’s Fifi who is ‘multiply owned’ by the Cade herd of Paul & Sharrie Cade, Paddock Farm, Buckden; the Brandane herd of Jimmy McMillan, Bradwell Ash, Bury St Edmunds; and the Key herd of GD Key & Sons, Loddon, Norwich. It was very much a high powered ‘shoot out’ in the classes as this nine-year-old cow, shown with her February heifer calf Cades Fifi’s Patience, placed second to the Supreme Champion in the class and followed her all the way through to the Overall Reserve. Sterling Celia’s Fifi, bred by Boddington Estates, by Sterling Cotswold, and out of Sterling Delores Celia, is a past winner of the English National Show having lifted the title in 2017 as a calved heifer at the Three Counties Show. Later that same year she was sold for 22,000gns, a then albeit briefly held Simmental female record, at the Boddington Estate Herd Dispersal Sale and to Harte Farms, Republic of Ireland. Roll on to 2021 and the animal in herself allied to the know depth of breeding and performance, saw the consortium put together buy Sterling Celia’s Fifi for 6200 Euros at the Harte’s online Dispersal Sale.
Sterling Celia’s Fifi
It was a major show debut to remember for local breeders Chris & Zara Curson of the Hollybrook herd, based some ten minutes from the showground, at Hollybrook Farm, Dereham, who lifted the Overall Male Championship, and Junior Male Championship with their February 2022 born bull Cade Nugget. Purchased privately in March this year from Paul & Sharrie Cade, Paddock Farm, Buckden, this bull is by Sacombe Jameson, and out of Brandane Kathleen, a Blackford Hurricane daughter. On the day the bull was shown by the Cade’s daughter Erin who was also the person who originally halter trained Nugget! On the second day of the show, and drawing an emotional tear or two from the exhibitors, Cade Nugget was tapped out as the show’s Interbreed Male Continental Champion by the judge Mary Cormack. Commenting firstly on the purchase of the bull Chris Curson said: “We first saw the bull in January this year before buying him in March. I liked the breeding behind him with Sterling Gino and the bull in himself is just very correct with great lines, he’s good on his plates, walks well and just carries a bit of style. He’ll be used on both our 20-cow-pedigree herd and also in the 40 cow suckler herd which is predominantly Simmental based.” More generally on their fantastic showing debut, Chris went on to say: “Living just ten minutes away this is a show I grew up with and have been to over many years. To now meet with this success is truly amazing and just a tremendous honour. With the English National on our doorstep we really wanted to support the show. There’s some great Simmental cattle in this area as we’ve seen today from a number of breeders and the show was really competitive but in such a friendly environment amongst supportive exhibitors.”
Cade Nugget
Following the Male Champion through from his class to take the Reserve Overall Male, and Reserve Junior Male, was the February 2022 born Grangewood Nobel from the Leedham team of Andrew & Yvonne, and their son Callum, from Rowan Farm, Pickering, North Yorkshire. This calf is by Ranfurly Impeccable and is out of Grangewood Polly’s Girl from the herd’s noted Grangewood Polly female line. Later in the day, the Leedhams met with further success when winning the Best Pair bred by exhibitor. Grangewood Nobel teamed up to win this section with the second prize heifer Grangewood Tollie’s Millie. This September 2021 born heifer is also by Ranfurly Impeccable and is out of Grangewood Tollie’s Iris, a daughter of Grangewood Glenlivet who had bred to price sale bulls for the herd. Rounding off a cracking day for the herd, Grangewood Tollie’s Natasha took the red rosette in the strong second heifer class of the day. January 2022 born this heifer is again By Ranfurly Impeccable and is out of Grangewood Tollie’s Hope, an Omorga Volvo daughter.
Grangewood NobelGrangewood Tollie’s Natasha
Back in the females and taking the Senior Heifer title was Denizes Eve’s Beauty 7th from the Wacton herd of another local breeder RE & SHW Steggles, Fieldings, Honingham, Norfolk. This heifer purchased for 8000gns at the Next Generation II Simmental Sale at Carlisle in December 2022 from breeders MA Barlow & Son, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire, is full of breeding with both parents being Royal Highland Show Champions. Denizes Eve’s Beauty is by Blackford Galaxy and is out of the herd’s famous Auroch Eve. Arriving at Norfolk with a little show record behind her, Denizes Eve’s Beauty 7th had previously been Breed Champion at the recent Royal Suffolk Show and where she also featured in the winning Simmental Interbreed Pair. The Wacton herd was originally established in the early 1970’s by Russell Steggles one of the breed’s pioneering importers, before being sold in the mid 1980s. A mini revival by Russell’s grandson Sam saw the herd last show at the Royal Norfolk some 25 years ago. Roll on to the present and the family Steggles in the shape of Sam, and his wife Caroline, and children William and Polly have their sights on fully re-establishing the herd and with ambitions to grow it from its present seventeen head to some 50 cows built upon cornerstone females with proven quality bloodlines. The 2023 Simmental English National Show proved to be a hugely successful one with the Wacton herd perhaps most noticeably winning the award, the Imex Plate, for the breeder and herd winning the award for the most points in the classes. Four first prizes, a second, and a third, went a long way to securing that, and accompanied by a host of titles for pairs, groups, and exhibitor bred in a remarkable day! Speaking afterwards Sam Steggles said: “Norfolk is our home show and we could just about walk the cows here. With it being combined with the English National Show, and to meet with the success we’ve had, has been a truly mind blowing experience and is now a very high bar to exceed. To win the ‘most points’ award with the esteemed breeders and enthusiasts that were here is amazing and an emotional phone call has been shared with my grandmother!
Denizes Eve’s Beauty 7th
A huge shout out also to young breeder Finlay Soutter whose outstanding heifer Brandane Millie stood second in another high-quality class to Denizes Eve’s Beauty 7th. On the second day young Finlay swept all before him when he won the prestigious Overall Championship for Young Handlers and was presented with his prize by William, Prince of Wales! Please look out for a further post on this fantastic achievement!
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