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The Royal Lancashire Show, Salesbury Hall, Ribchester, provided the stage for a quality line up of Simmentals at the breed’s 2022 English National Show held on Saturday 23rd July. In typically damp Lancashire conditions, the April 2020 born in-calf heifer Popes Princess Lumi from Messrs JH & VG Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston, lit up the day in front of the healthy ringside crowd when lifting the Supreme Overall Championship, and Female Championship titles before the judge Iain Green of the noted Corskie herd, Fochabers, Moray. Adding to what was a terrific couple of days for the Popes herd and the Simmental breed, Popes Princess Lumi went on to win the show’s Supreme Overall Interbreed title the following day and this time under the watchful eye of judge and well-known Carlisle auctioneer, James Little. From the many sponsors involved, the Overall Supreme Championship was sponsored by the Midlands based Town & Country Meats.
Popes Princess Lumis’ further win at the Simmental English National Show followed hard on the heels of the recent Great Yorkshire Show, where this stylish heifer had also won the breed’s Overall and Female Champion titles. With a pedigree packed full of top breeding lines, Popes Princess Lumi, who is in calf to Popes Barclay, is by the prolific AI bull Team Celtic 11 and is out of the herd’s decorated show cow Popes Princess Cleo EX95, who herself has previously secured Overall Interbreed titles at both the Great Yorkshire and Royal Welsh Shows respectively. Lumi’s granddam, Popes Nellys Princess was the Simmental Overall Supreme Champion at the blue riband Royal Show back in 2007 and, like her granddaughter, won the Royal Lancashire Show Interbreed in 2006. This female breeding line all goes back to Tintoside Nelly’s Wonder, a daughter of the breed’s much noted Cloford Nelly.
Commenting on his Supreme Champion, the Simmental judge Iain Green said: “This heifer was full of style and carried tremendous length and width whilst being very correct on her legs and good on her feet. She is a great example of the Simmental breed and just has everything to go on and be a top breeding female.” Of the show generally Iain Green went on to say: “It’s an absolute honour to have been asked to judge the Simmental English National Show and within what is a new venue for the event at the Royal Lancashire Show. I’d like to congratulate all of the exhibitors who entered what was a select and terrific show. The standard on display puts the breed on a sound footing for the future and the quality of the females really shone through.” A past British Simmental Cattle Society President Iain Green runs 200 pedigree breeding females along with 400 Simmental cross sucklers. No stranger to the show ring he has previously judged the Simmental section at such shows as the Balmoral Show; Royal Welsh; Stirling Bull Sales; Royal Norfolk; and interbreeds at the Royal Highland, and Three Counties to name a few.
For the 50 breeding female Popes herd, this was a second English National Show Supreme Championship, following on from a win with Popes Rhona back in 2018. With the Royal Lancashire being in the Wood’s home ‘backyard’, the Popes team enjoyed an outstanding show day and secured a host of titles including: Individual Interbreed; Supreme Simmental Champion; Female Champion; Male Champion; Junior Champion; The Pairs; and the Dam Group, to name a few. Quite a day! Speaking at the end of the day, Vikki Wood said: “It’s been a super Simmental show and just great to see the breed on the front foot and such an interest at ringside. We are really delighted to have done so well with the team and its extra special to win at the Royal Lancashire and a show where we can sleep in our own beds at night!” Of the Popes cattle forward Vikki Wood went on to say; “Our simple aim is just to continue to breed quality bulls and females that are market relevant, and that keep improving and modernising the Popes Simmental herd. Commercially the breed has all the attributes of milk, fertility, growth and terrific carcases. We think the Simmental is hard to beat in what it can offer commercial beef producers.”
Keeping it very much a day for the Red Rose county, the Reserve Overall Supreme Champion, and Reserve Female Champion came in the shape of the winner of Class Five, Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd from MA Barlow & Sons, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancs. Another Simmental female packed with quality bloodlines, the January 2020 born Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd parents are both previous Supreme Champions at the Royal Highland Show. The sire is Blackford Galaxy 15 whilst the dam is the multi title winning Auroch Eve, an Auroch Ace daughter. Of his Overall Reserve, Iain Green said: “Just another tremendous Simmental female. Again, a well grown heifer, full of length, and with great breeding potential.” Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd is in-calf to Denizes Lancelot who sold for 30,000gns at Stirling in February this year. The Reserve Overall Championship was sponsored by Carlisle auctioneers Harrison & Hetherington.
Denizes breeding also featured strongly in the Popes show line up with the bull Denizes Impressive, purchased by the Woods for 12,000gns at the Stirling February 2019 Sale, being the sire of a number of the day’s prize winners. Amongst these included the Overall Male Champion, and Overall Junior Champion, Popes Memphis who was at his first summer show. February 2021 born Popes Memphis is by Impressive and is out of Popes Diamonds IO. Again with plenty of breeding on the dam line, Diamonds is by Popes Fearless, who himself has featured in winning Royal Welsh and Great Yorkshire Pairs Interbreeds with Popes Princess Cleo, and is out of Clonguish Diamond who was purchased for 10,000 Euros in Ireland. Come the Sunday, Popes Memphis also picked up an Interbreed Championship when winning the title for Best Homebred animal. At the backend of 2021, Popes Memphis also won the Male Championship in the Simmental Calf Show at the English Winter Fair. Of Popes Memphis, Iain Green said: “This is a very impressive young bull with great potential. He has length and width and super locomotion. I’m sure this bull will go on to have a great future as a high-end breeder’s bull.” Describing him as ‘one of the best bulls we have bred to date’, Vikki Wood said that ‘a lot of interest’ has been shown in this exciting young bull who would now be aimed at the breed’s October Sale in Stirling.
Following this bull through from his class and to take Overall Reserve Male, and Junior Male Reserve was another from the Popes herd in the shape of Popes Matchmaker. Again by Denizes Impressive, this March 2021 born calf is out of the Banwy Wonderboy daughter Popes Whispers Della (TF) EX90. With a summer track record behind him, Popes Matchmaker had secured the Junior Interbreed Reserve and Simmental Male Championship at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.
Taking the Senior Bull title and the Lord Hesketh Cup was the 2018 born Dermotstown King Kong shown by David Donnelly, Atlow House, Ashbourne, Derbyshire. This bull, bred in Ireland, is by the well-known Dermotstown Delboy and is out of Broomfield Belle.
Back in the females, and the Burytown Trophy for the Best Senior Cow was won by the 2017 born Heathbrow Girlies Ivy from David and Lesley Sapsed, High Heath Farm, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Entirely homebred, Girlies Ivy is by Heathbrow Findlay 14, and is out of Heathbrow Girlie’s Freesia (P) (TF) EX93. A further title for the Heathbrow herd was secured when they won the Memorial Trophy for the Best Calf at foot with the January 2022 born Heathbrow Nova Star (P). Again with plenty of breeding behind him this heifer’s calf is by Heathbrow Important, the multi-title winning stock bull, and is out of Heathbrow Koko Star (P) the 2021 Supreme Simmental Overall Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show. Capping a fine show for this noted herd, Heathbrow won the Group of Four award, and also had Heathbrow Girlie’s Laurel featuring in the winning Interbreed Team of Four.
Continuing the roll call of prizes, the Woods team also picked up the Junior Female Championship with the March 2021 born heifer Popes Trixies Mikala. Once more by Denizes Impressive, this calf is out of Popes Trixies Inoa whose grand dam is Greenside Trixie-Belle 5th, the mother of the herd’s noted bred bull Popes Laird. Popes Trixies Mikala was the Overall and Female Champion at the Simmental Calf Show held at Stafford in 2021, and this year was Simmental Reserve Junior at the Great Yorkshire.
Recapping the breed’s Interbreed success on the Sunday, the Supreme Beef Champion award went to Popes Princess Lumi; the winning Interbreed Team of Four comprised of Popes Princess Lumi, Popes Princess Maya, Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3rd, and Heathbrow Girlie’s Laurel; the Interbreed Best Homebred animal was won by Popes Memphis 21; and the Reserve Interbreed Pair went to Popes Memphis 21 and Popes Trixies Mikala.
Special mention must also go to the Young Breeder’s Stockjudging held on the Saturday afternoon. Open to all breeds a fantastic eighteen young breeders of the future had a go with a heady mixture of enthusiasm and no little skill. The senior section prize went to Hannah Wood of the Popes herd, with Callum Leedham of the Grangewood herd, Pickering, North Yorkshire, picking up the junior section prize. Earlier in the day Callum had also secured the Forsdale Trophy for the Young Stockman within the English National Show. A huge thank you is extended to all of the sponsors for supporting this event and attending on Saturday, it is greatly appreciated. Thanks are also extended to Iain Green for a super judging job, to Mark Cleverdon for terrific show commentary that kept all informed, and to Ian Pickup and the Royal Lancashire show for so willingly hosting the English National Show. Thanks to the event organising committee for their hard work, and a ‘big up’ to Chris and Kath Martindale, John Barlow, Christina and Christine, and Richard Storer Smith for their help and support over the three days at the show. Lastly a very special ‘thank you’ is extended to all of the exhibitors who made the show by supporting it, bringing forward some tremendous cattle, and creating a special and fun atmosphere. Here’s to the 2023 Simmental English National Show which will be held at the Royal Norfolk Show on 28th & 29th June.
On behalf of the British Simmental Cattle Society, a massive thank you is extended to all companies who so readily sponsored the 2022 Simmental English National Show. It is so greatly appreciated by both the Society and the exhibitors. We loved meeting so many of the company representatives and very much hope that you enjoyed some Simmental hospitality and being involved with the event. A special ‘thank you’ is extended to our Gold Sponsors, Town & Country Meats Group Ltd; and to our three silver sponsors Harrison & Hetherington; the Cardboard Box Company; and Selby Livestock Market. Thank you also to our Bronze sponsors who were: Agri King; Veolia Organics; Barenbrug; Lloyds Animal Feeds; Barlow Trailers; Carrs Billington; Biobest Hi Health Herdcare; Galloway & MacLeod; Mha Moore & Smalley; Bakertilly International; Malpas Tractors; NFU Mutual; McCartneys Rural; Easyfix Livestock Comfort; Bata; and DB Foods.
2022 British Simmental National Show Results
Saturday 23 July 2022 – Royal Lancashire Show
Judge: Iain Green, Garmouth, Morayshire of the Corskie Simmental herd
Heifer, born on or after 1 April 2021 – kindly sponsored by NFU Mutual
1 – J H & V G Wood – Popes Princess Maya – s. Denizes Impressive 17
Heifer, born on or between 1 January and 31 March 2021 – kindly sponsored by Malpass
1 – J H & V G Wood – Popes Trixies Mikala – s. Denizes Impressive 17
2 – Mr & Mrs AS & YA Leedham – Grangewood Miss Moneypenny – s. Ranfurly Impeccable I4 17
3 – James Griffin – Hemingford Madonna – s. Saltire Jaguar 18
4 – T & J Hassall – Fishpool Millie – s. Sterling Hugo 16
Heifer, born on or between 1 August and 31 December 2020 – kindly sponsored by Carrs Billington
1 – David & Lesley Sapsed – Heathbrow Girlie’s Laurel – s. Scotland Hill Cairo 11
2 – T & J Hassall – Fishpool Lottie – s. Kilbride Farm Hans 16
Heifer, born on or between 1 April and 31 July 2020 – kindly sponsored by Agri-King
1 – J H & V G Wood – Popes Princess Lumi – s. Team Celtic 11
Heifer, born on or between 1 January and 31 March 2020 – kindly sponsored by Galloway & McCleod
1 – M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15
2 – David & Lesley Sapsed – Heathbrow Lavender – s. Heathbrow Important 17
Cow or Heifer, born in 2019 in-milk with calf at foot or certified in calf and due to calve before 3 years of age – kindly sponsored by Veolia
1 – David & Lesley Sapsed – Heathbrow Koko Star – s. Scotland Hill Cairo 11
Cow, born in 2017 or 2018 in-milk or certified in calf at the time of the Show – kindly sponsored by BATA Ltd
1 – David & Lesley Sapsed – Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy – s. Heathbrow Findlay 14
2 – J H & V G Wood – Popes Nellys Ilia – s. Swingletree Emporor 13
Cow, born before 1 January 2017 in-milk or certified in calf at the time of the Show – kindly sponsored by McCartneys
1 – J David Loftus – Blackpool Hosanna – s. Blackpool Ely 13
Bull, born on or after 1 April 2021 – kindly sponsored by Moore & Smalley
1 – Mr & Mrs AS & YA Leedham – Grangewood Musketeer 21 – s. Ranfurly Impeccable I4 17
2 – M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Moreno 21 – s. Denizes Hamish 16
3 – M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Magic 21 – s. Denizes Hamish 16
4 – J H & V G Wood – Popes M Sport 21 – s. Denizes Impressive 17
Bull, born or between 1 January and 31 March 2021 – kindly sponsored by Lloyds Animal Feeds
1 – J H & V G Wood – Popes Memphis 21 – s. Denizes Impressive 17
2 – J H & V G Wood – Popes Matchmaker 21 – s. Denizes Impressive 17
3 – James Griffin – Hemingford Maverick 21 – s. Saltire Jaguar 18
Bull, born on or before 31 December 2019 – kindly sponsored by Biobest
1 – Mr D Donnelly – Dermotstown King Kong – s. Dermotstown Delboy
Pair of Animals of either sex entered in the above classes, the property of the same exhibitor – kindly sponsored by Biobest
1 – J H & V G Wood – Popes Memphis 21 & Popes Trixies Mikala
2 – D A & L A Sapsed – Heathbrow Lavender & Heathbrow Girlie’s Laurel
Group of Four – The best group of four to be owned or bred by the exhibitor – kindly sponsored by Easyfix
1 – D A & L A Sapsed – Heathbrow Lavender, Heathbrow Girlie’s Laurel, Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy & Heathbrow Koko Star
2 – J H & V G Wood – Popes Princess Lumi, Popes Trixies Mikala, Popes Princess Maya & Popes Memphis 21
The Albert Clements Memoral Trophy for the Best Junior Heifer born on or after 1 January 2018
J H & V G Wood – Popes Trixies Mikala – s. Denizes Impressive 17
The Mary Sapsed Memorial Trophy for the Best Simmental Calf at Foot
David & Lesley Sapsed – Heathbrow Nova Star 22 – s. Heathbrow Important 17
The Austrian Simmental Breeders Challenge Trophy for the Female Champion
J H & V G Wood – Popes Princess Lumi – s. Team Celtic 11
The Swiss Cattle Breeders Cow Bell for the Reserve Female Champion
M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15
The Burytown Trophy for the Best Senior Cow
David & Lesley Sapsed – Heathbrow Girlie’s Ivy – s. Heathbrow Findlay 14
The Lord Hesketh Cup for the Best Senior Bull
Mr D Donnelly – Dermotstown King Kong – s. Dermotstown Delboy
The Imex Plate for the Male Champion
J H & V G Wood – Popes Memphis 21 – s. Denizes Impressive 17
The Perpetual Challenge Swiss Cowbell for the Reserve Male Champion
J H & V G Wood – Popes Matchmaker 21 – s. Denizes Impressive 17
The New Zealand Society Trophy for the Best Junior Bull
J H & V G Wood – Popes Memphis 21 – s. Denizes Impressive 17
The BSCS Perpetual Silver Trophy and a Large Crystal Rosebowl for the Supreme Champion
J H & V G Wood – Popes Princess Lumi – s. Team Celtic 11
The Crystal Rosebowl for the Reserve Supreme Champion
M A Barlow & Sons – Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 – s. Blackford Galaxy 15
The Chandler Hargreaves Trophy for the Best opposite Sex to the Supreme Champion
J H & V G Wood – Popes Memphis 21 – s. Denizes Impressive 17
The Brinkton Trophy for the Best Junior Simmental born on or after 1 January 2018
J H & V G Wood – Popes Memphis 21 – s. Denizes Impressive 17
The John Thornborrow Trophy for the Best Pair any age or sex bred by the exhibitor
J H & V G Wood – Popes
The John Eastwood for the Best Dam Group of the Year Award
J H & V G Wood – Tintoside Nelly`s Wonder – s. Sterling Parliamentarian
The Imex Plate (1st place) for the Breeder winning the most points in the classes
J H & V G Wood – Popes
The Norbeck Trophy for the Senior Heifer
J H & V G Wood – Popes Princess Lumi – s. Team Celtic 11
The RC Cup Rettie Perpetual Trophy for the Stockmen in charge of the Supreme Champion
Nairn Wylie
The Forsdale Trophy for the Young Stockperson
Callum Leedham
The Barlow Brothers Trophy for the Best Group of Four owned or bred by the Exhibitor
David & Lesley Sapsed – Heathbrow
Royal Lancashire Show Interbreed Championships
Supreme Beef Champion (Judge Mr J Little)
J H & V G Wood – Popes Princess Lumi – s. Team Celtic 11
Interbreed Best Homebred animal
J H & V G Wood – Popes Memphis 21 – s. Denizes Impressive 17
Interbreed Team of Four
Popes Princess Lumi, Popes Princess Maya, Denizes Eve’s Beauty 3 & Heathbrow Girlie’s Laurel
Reserve Interbreed Pair
Popes Memphis 21 & Popes Trixies Mikala
