Jack Heath wins Overall Young Handler with Tirley Natalie
Popes Premier, Simmental & National Pedigree Calf Show Interbreed Champion
At the opening day of the 2023 English Winter Fair held at Staffordshire County Showground, the 30th January 2023 born bull calf Popes Premier, from Messrs JH & VG Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston, Lancs, won the Simmental Pedigree Calf Championship before moving on to win the National Pedigree Calf Show Interbreed, a first for the Simmental breed.
Sired by Popes Lethal Weapon, Popes Premier has been shown all summer as a calf at foot alongside his multi title winning mum, Popes Princess Immie, who amongst a welter of wins was the Overall Supreme Interbreed Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show, and was the Simmental Supreme Champion at the Simmental English National Show held within the Royal Norfolk. Premier’s grand dam is the herd’s famous, and much decorated cow, Popes Princess Cleo. Judging the Simmental section was Jim Goldie of the noted Newbiemains herd, Annan, Dumfriesshire, and who was full of praise for his Champion: “This calf had tremendous style about him, was long and clean, and very nice over his rump. He moved really well with good legs and feet, and is just a very modern young Simmental bull.”
Judging the Interbreed was the well-known commercial producer John Hall, Penrith and who very much endorsed Jim Goldie when commenting: “This is a very smart calf, well grown, and beautifully brought out. Very modern he carried plenty of shape, had no gut to him, and had a lot of class and style. I just loved this young bull and felt he was an easy winner on the day.”
Popes Premier with Hannah Wood and Simmental judge Jim Goldie
Winning the Female Championship, and the Overall Reserve in the Simmental section, was the junior heifer calf Fishpool Poppy from Tom & Jennie Hassall. January 2023 born, Fishpool Poppy is by Newbiemains Kalypso and is out of Kilbride Farm Eunice 277J. From a noted female line, Kilbride Farm Eunice 277J was purchased privately from WH Robson & Sons, Ballyclare during Covid. This red ticket made it a notable double for the 12-breeding female Fishpool herd with Poppy also having a class win at the recent Simmental Youngstock Show held within the Borderway Agri Expo at Carlisle. Of his Female Champion, Jim Goldie said: “Poppy was a lovely, feminine heifer, with great length and just full of breed character. Again she was good on her legs, had tremendous locomotion and showed herself extremely well.”
Fishpool Poppy, Female Champion & Overall Reserve
Taking the Reserve Male Championship, and first in class one, was Storersmith Navarone from local breeders R&L Storer Smith, Ashbourne Road, Uttoxeter. December 2022 born, Navarone is got by the AI sire Clonagh Latin Lover, and is out of Storersmith Havannah, a Popes Barclay daughter. Through the two days of the show Storersmith Navarone, along with his stablemate Storersmith Newton, a Ballinalare Farm Galaxy son, drew much attention as they featured on the Midlands Simmental Club’s promotional stand.
Back in the females and taking the Reserve Female Championship was the smart young January 2023 born calf Newton House Posh from JW Gosmore Partners, Tattenhall Chester. Standing second in its class to the Female Champion, Newton House Posh is by Lissadell Mr Mullarkey VIP, a bull purchased at Roscommon Premier Sale, and is out of Clonagh Krystal Posh, a Bruchag Glenfiddich 15 daughter. Next stop for this young heifer will be the mucha anticipated Next Generation III Sale of Simmental Females & Weaned Calves due to be held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Friday 1st December.
In the fantastically supported Young Handlers Championships it was a ‘big win’ for fifteen-year-old Jack Heath, Sheaf Farm, Tarvin, Chester, who took the Overall Championship whilst showing the Simmental heifer Tirley Natalie of Steve White, Tarporley, Cheshire. With a little ‘form’ behind him Jack, who is a member of Beeston YFC, also recently won the Overall Young Handler title as part of the Youth Development Programme, and held at Rosemead Angus, Shackleford, Nr Godalming, Surrey.
A big well done also to the Midlands Simmental Club for putting on an informative and welcoming Simmental promotional stand over the two days. In the trade stands competition the Midlands Club was awarded a terrific second place.
SIMMENTAL CLASSES AND CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS AT THE 2023 ENGLISH WINTER FAIR
Class 78 Senior Bull Calf born between 1st October 2022 and 31st December 2022 1st – Lot 229: Storersmith Simmentals – STORERSMITH NAVARONE s. Clonagh Latin Lover 2nd – Lot 228: Storersmith Simmentals – STORERSMITH NEWTON. s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy
Class 79 Junior Bull Calf born between 1st January 2023 and 30th June 2023 1st – Lot 233: VG Wood – POPES PREMIER s. Popes Lethal Weapon 2nd – Lot 235: S White – TIRLEY PATRICK s. Rathnastan Lobster Pot 3rd – Lot 236: Renshaw & Brassington – DOVEFIELDS PHOENIX s. Star Green Kenny 4th – Lot 234: VG Wood – POPES POWER s. Saltire Impressive 5th – Lot 232: Storersmith Simmentals – STORERSMITH PROVIDENCE s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy
Class 80 Senior Heifer Calf born between 1st October 2022 and 31st December 2022 1st – Lot 237: S White – TIRLEY NATALIE s. Kilclaven Impulsion 17 2nd – Lot 238: J & T Gosmore – NEWTON NICE ONE s. Lissadell Mr Mularkey 3rd – Lot 239: J & T Gosmore – NEWTON HOUSE MAJESTY s. Lissadell Los Angeles
Class 81 Junior Heifer Calf born between 1st January 2023 and 30th June 2023 1st – Lot 243: T & J Hassall – FISHPOOL POPPY s. Newbiemains Kalypso 19 2nd – Lot 242: J & T Gosmore – NEWHOUSE POSH s. Lissadell Mr Mularkey 3rd – Lot 247: VG Wood – POPES TRIXIES PEARL s. Clonagh Lucky Explorer 4th – Lot 245: VG Wood – POPES TRIXIES PRUDENCE s. Saltire Impressive 5th – Lot 241: Storersmith Simmentals – STORERSMITH PUZZLE s. Ballinalare Farm Galaxy
Sp.2a. The Midlands Simmental Club kindly offer £75 to the Champion Bull calf Lot 233: VG Wood – POPES PREMIER
Sp 2b. The Midlands Simmental Club kindly offer £50 to the Reserve Champion Bull calf Lot 229: Storersmith Simmentals – STORERSMITH NAVARONE
Sp.3a. The Midlands Simmental Club kindly offer £75 to the Champion Heifer calf Lot 243: T & J Hassell – FISHPOOL POPPY
Sp. 3b. The Midlands Simmental Club kindly offer £50 to the Reserve Champion Heifer calf Lot 242: J & T Gosmore Ches – NEWTON HOUSE POSH
Sp.4a. For the Overall calf sired by a Pedigree Simmental Bull £100 offered by The Midlands Simmental Club Lot 233: VG Wood – POPES PREMIER
Sp. 4b. For the Reserve Overall calf sired by a Pedigree Simmental bull £50 offered by The Midlands Simmental Club Lot 243: T & J Hassell – FISHPOOL POPPY Sp.15 Overall Interbreed Championship For the overall Champion in the Pedigree Calf Show £1000 offered by Tithebarn Ltd. Lot 233: VG Wood – POPES PREMIER
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!
The April 2021 born Hollybrook Maximum from Chris & Zara Curson, Hollybrook Farm, Welbourne, Dereham, Norfolk sold for 3900gns to top the small section of Simmentals at the fledgling Melton Mowbray Multi Breed Sale on Saturday, 25th March.
Hollybrook Maximum, Overall Reserve Interbreed, Overall Simmental Champion and Top price of £3,900gns
Earlier in the day this bull had been placed as the Simmental Overall Champion by the judge, John Barlow of the noted Denizes herd, before going on to lift the Overall Reserve Interbreed in front of all seven of the breed judges. Commenting, John Barlow said: “This is just a natural Simmental bull with plenty of length and a good second thigh. He’s a good commercial Simmental bull ready to work.” Hollybrook Maximum, got by AI, is sired by Clonagh Diehard Gallant, and is out of Williams Vikki’s Blossom. Purchasing the Champion online, and one of two bought on the day, was the significant Simmental based commercial enterprise in the shape of Fristling Hall Farm, Swan Lane, Ingatestone, Essex. Melton Mowbray represented only the second Society sale for the Cursons who run a 20-cow pedigree herd alongside a 60 cow Simmental based suckler herd.
Selling at 3200gns was the homozygous polled bull Blue Cedar Mungo from Nigel Darling, Intwood Farm, Intwood, Norwich. This January 2021 born bull is by the Danish bred AI sire Sneumgaard Imperator, and is out of Blue Cedar Edwina, with both parents being homozygous polled. With both calving ease, and gestation length figures in the top 1% of the breed, Blue Cedar Mungo was purchased by H Catlin, Leylandii Farm, Boston, Lincolnshire.
Selling two bulls at 3000gns was CH Evans & Son, Kington Grange Farm, Claverdon, Warwickshire. The first of these was the red ticket winner Wroxall Marmite. Heterozygous Polled, this January 2021 born bull is by Forsdale Gallipoli, and is out of Wroxall Esprit-Zilla. Arriving with a show track record that had seen him win breed championships at the Three Counties and Staffordshire Shows respectively in 2022, Wroxall Marmite was another bull to be snapped up by Fristling Hall Farm, Essex. Following directly on was the March 2021 born Wroxall Meatball. This March 2021 born calf, who stood second in his class to the Champion, is by Coose Gambler (P), and is out of Wroxall Favour-Patiance (P). With Calving Ease figures of +3.6 placing him in the top 15% of the breed, Wroxall Marmite was purchased by GT Hall & Son, Dudley Wood Farm, Atherstone, Warwickshire.
Champion, Hollybrook Maximum and Reserve Champion, Key Marvel with Judge John Barlow
The bull calf Springfield Major 21 from Gavin Brown, Springfield Farm, Penicuik, Midlothian took the top honours when winning the Overall Championship and at the 2021 Simmental Calf Show at the Borderway Agri Expo held on Friday 29th October at Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway Mart, Carlisle.
The event, held jointly by the North West Simmental Club and the British Simmental Cattle Society, saw an original entry of 62 calves catalogued and with exhibitors from Wales, Scotland, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Lancashire, and Yorkshire.
In front of a good crowd at ringside the Simmental Calf Show was judged by Cameron Jackson who runs the establishing Future Simmental herd at Woodyett Farm, Lanark. April 2021 born, Springfield Major is by the herd’s stock bull Islavale Jabba, and is out of Hazelden Jingle 40th. After winning Class 4, bull calves born after 1st March 2021, this young bull won the Junior Championship before being given the judge’s tap as the day’s Overall Champion. For the Springfield herd, which consists of 25 breeding females, it was their first time entering the Borderway Agri Expo event and their Championship win followed hard on the heels of the recent Stirling Bull Sale where they sold bulls at 6500, and 5000gns. The 6500gns Springfield Legacy is a half-brother to the Agri Expo Champion Springfield Major, with both being out of Hazelden Jingle 40th, and who was bought at the Hazelden Herd Dispersal Sale as a calf at foot. Speaking afterwards, a delighted Gavin Brown said: “It’s my first time here and I was just really keen to support the breed and the calf show. The Springfield herd is continuing to establish and it’s fantastic to win an event such as this and amongst your peers. It keeps the herd momentum going and makes all the hard work very much worth it!” From here the plan is to aim Springfield Major at the October 2022 Stirling Bull Sales. Rounding off a good day, the Springfield herd also placed second in three further classes.
Overall and Reserve Champion
Commenting on his Overall Champion, the judge Cameron Jackson said: “This calf just oozed style and character and he was very correct. He’s just a perfect calf for his age and very much a breeder’s bull in the making.” Of the Simmental show generally, he went on to say: “I think it’s as strong a show of Simmental calves as we’ve seen in a few years. The modern Simmental for me is going in the right direction being as dual purpose as possible, and breeding tremendous females, and bulls with shape.”
Denizes Monty 21
Following the Champion through when taking the Reserve Junior Championship, and the Reserve Overall Champion, was the winner from Class 3, Bull Calf born on or between 1st January 2021 & 28th February 2020, in the shape of Denizes Monty 21 from MA Barlow & Sons, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire. This January 2021 born calf brough a combination of both breeding and performance. Both parents of this calf, the sire Denizes Hamish 16 and the dam Denizes Trixi-Belle 6th, have themselves been previous winners of the Borderway Agri Expo Simmental Calf Show. Denizes Trixi-Belle 6th has bred calves, Denizes Impressive, up to 10,000gns. Next up for Denizes Monty 21, who has top figures for both calving ease, and maternal (milk), is a trip to Stars of the Future at Stirling in November. In the last class of the day, heifer calf born on or after 16th March 2021, the Denizes picked up another first prize ticket with their polled calf Denizes Matilda 8th by Slievenagh International (PP) and out of Denizes Matilda 2.
Beanhill Leon
All the way from Wiltshire, Mr & Mrs RJ & BE Kimber, Beanhill Farm, Chippenham, Wiltshire won Class 2, Bull calf born between 16th September 2020 and 15th September 2020, before going on to lift the Senior Championship with Beanhill Leon 20. A heifer’s calf, Beanhill Leon was 42kgs at birth and is described as a having ‘a lovely temperament’. His sire Ballinalare Galaxy carries both length and thickness and has bred well in the herd with big-framed cows. Leon’s dam Beanhill Inca goes back to one of the herd’s foundation cows, Deerhurst Frolic. Beanhill chalked up another first prize win when Beanhill Lettie, a Ballinalare Farm Galaxy daughter out of Beanhill Hettie VG 86, won Class Six, Heifer Calf Born on or Between 16th September 2020 and 31st December 2020.
Newbiemains Leonidas 20
Taking the Reserve Senior Championship , and winning the first class, Bull Calf Born on or between 1st August 2020 and 15th September 2020, was Newbiemains Leonidas 20 from Jim and Patricia Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan. August 2020 born, Newbiemains Leonidas is by the imported bull Moorglen Hillbilly who is breeding well in the herd, both bulls and heifers, and whose progeny sold mainly off farm is averaging £6000. Leonidas is out of Woodhall Ginger (TF) VG 86 who is a Raceview All-Star KK daughter. Newbiemains Leonidas is another now headed for Stars of the Future and with one eye on a future Stirling Bull Sale. The Newbiemains herd also picked up a first prize win with Newbiemains Lady Wag, by Skerrington Iceman 17 EX 94 out of Newbiemains Hash Tag Wag VG 86, in Class 5 for Heifer Calves born on or between 1st August 2020 and 15th September 2020. Newbiemains Lady Wag then teamed up with Newbiemains Legend, an October 2020 born bull calf and also by Iceman, to win the Pairs Competition.
Champion Pairs, Newbiemains Lady Wag and Newbiemains Legend
Travelling from Berkshire was AE & C Bishop, Church Farm, Finchampstead, Wokingham. Their journey was rewarded when they picked up first prize in Class 7, Heifer Calf Born on or Between 1st January 2021 and 15th March 2021, with Lynfield Precious. Born 9th January 2021, Lynfield Precious is by Ranfurly Confederate C24 11 EX 95, and is out of Lynfield Precious 5 (P), a Dirnanean Apostle daughter.
Lynfield Precious M894
Rounding the day off was a high quality Young Handlers Class that saw the following placings:
1st Abby Forsyth; 2nd Callum Leedham; and 3rd Catherine Nicholas.
The North West Simmental Club & The British Simmental Cattle Society would like to sincerely thanks all of the sponsors for their kind support of this event and who were:
It was an honour to be asked to judge the 2019 English National Show at The Royal Norfolk Show. Thank you to the Society and Show for a very well organised day and thank you to the exhibitors for all their time and effort in turning out such a super show of Simmies. In the Junior Heifer class Sacombe Hawaii’s Jessica caught my eye as soon as she came in. Very sweet, well fleshed and a very good mover, just my kind of heifer. This heifer went on to be Junior and Reserve Female Champion. Second place went to Heathbrow’s much younger Girlies Jewel, a very correct, well fleshed heifer for her age, third was Ashland Lucy Jezebel, another quality heifer. The second class again had a clear winner in Heathbrow Jasmine, a powerful heifer, but still very feminine. There wasn’t a lot between second and third, Brandane Jane just having slightly more flesh than Perrywood Jasmine. The third heifer class was easily won by Cade Irresistible, a similar style of heifer to the winner of the previous class, fleshy but still feminine. Storersmith Isla in second was a nice long heifer, just unlucky to have the Cade heifer overpower her. Popes Princess Immie gave me another clear winner in the fourth class, a fleshy heifer who paraded very well. The next two heifers were a similar type, but Beeches Isabella had more width through the front end compared to Penton Indigo. Two very powerful heifers led class 5. Popes Nellys Ilia taking first, being the more feminine and better balanced of the two. Heathbrow Girlies Ivy stood second. The Jukes’ Swallowhill Isabelle stood third, a lovely long female, just not carrying as much flesh as the first two. We just had two entries in the Junior cow class, both working hard with nice calves at foot. Theberton Honey was the deeper bodied of the two with a bit more shoulder than her herd mate Hollie. The Intermediate cow class was led by Kennox Divas Gena, being the widest and biggest of the three. Sway Gorgeous Girl stood second, another big cow, but just not having the width through the front end of the first cow. Fircovert Glamour Bluebell came in third, just missing the scale of the other two. In the Senior cow class, I found my Champion. I immediately fell for Sacombe Dandelion Oma when she floated into the ring saying, “Look at me!”. She wasn’t the biggest cow in the class, but to me she was everything a Simmie cow should be. Very feminine, well balanced, good length and width, especially through the backend, good locomotion, loads of milk, and a super young bull calf at foot. Second place went to Theberton Emma 2nd, another well balanced, breedy cow. The first class of males was won by Sacombe Joker, maybe a bit raw on the day, but the most correct and well put together young bull in the class. Second was the heavier, but less balanced Popes Jethro, and third went to the nice shaped Scotland Hill Jackaroo. The second bull class found me my Junior Male Champion in Scotland Hill Juggernaut, a growthy, well fleshed young bull. Second and third were two similar bulls, Storersmith Jumanji and Penton Jolly, unfortunately Jolly was lame, so took third. My Male and Reserve Overall Champion came from the next class, again a clear winner, Heathbrow Important towered above the other two entries in the class. His length, cleanness and power are what we have been looking for in a stockbull, and I’m pleased to say that he has since come home to Blackford. Second place went to the bouncy, but well-made Fircovert Isaac with Shannock Ice-T being third. The four senior bulls were split into two types, my preference was for the smoother fleshed more traditional Drumsleed Explosion in first and Sway Hector in second. I was very proud to see the Simmental team of five going on to win the prestigious Heygates Interbreed Team of Five competition, and Heathbrow Important taking the Male and then Supreme Interbreed Champion later in the show. Thank you again to everyone involved for their hospitality and hard work at the show.
Sincere thanks to the Great Yorkshire show and the British Simmental Cattle Society for the invitation to judge the 2018 English National Show. I would like to thank all the stockmen and stockwomen who put forward a tremendous show of Simmental cattle for me to judge. The first junior heifer class was won by Chestermann Empire Stella, a very smart growthy heifer. Showing plenty of style, this is a difficult class to get a heifer ready for, very easy to overdo and basically almost killing them with kindness. The second junior heifer class was won by Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy, a very impressive heifer with plenty of ring presence, she moved well and was an easy winner. My next class was won by a super heifer, I’m sure we will see a lot more of – Sterling Fcuk impuls, this heifer went on to be my Reserve Female Champion. The next class was the Senior Heifer Class born April onwards. This was a difficult class to judge as it was just personal preference, as the top three heifers in this class was very different and could have been place differently with the judges. The class winner was Popes Princess Hettie, she had the most ring presence with a great body and natural width. Next was a much improved class won by Popes Rhona who went on to be my Overall Champion, this was the strongest class of the day, the first place heifer was eye catching and stylish, I have to say she concerned me that she was over fat on her tail head, however after examining her I decided this felt more like she had banged herself. Because this was the strongest class, I need to mention the second-place heifer, this was Midhope Heavenly Light a big heifer, possibly the best bodied heifer, very good over her plates, however possibly due to an injury, her movement on the day was wrong which stopped her going any further. This class led an easy winner, in Kennox Diva’s Gena, making a super job of her calf, this is what it’s all about. A very well made cow that just needed to be a bit bigger. Her bull calf went on to win the best calf and I’m sure we will see him in the future. Next class I couldn’t get wrong, was won by Woodhall Erica, a very correct cow, just lacked the style and presence to have pushed the champion aside. Senior cow class was won by Sterling Petra’s Cairo, the biggest animal on parade, she was up there to win overall when standing, but with locomotion very important this was as far as she could go. First of the bulls was won by Skerrington Iceman, he was an easy winner, very modern with natural width and a great top. Next class was won by Williams I of the Tiger, a very stylish, clear bodied bull, lacked power to go further. The intermediate bull class was won by Camus Harold The senior bull class only had the one entry and was won by Curaheen Drifter, this bull carried his width all the way to his tail, he would later stand Reserve Breed Champion. I had seen the bull earlier in the year and actually thought he had improved as the show season had gone on. Many thanks for affording me the honour of judging this show.
Curaheen Drifter – Male Champion & Reserve Supreme Champion
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement
1 year
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Advertisement".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Recent Comments