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LISGLASS AND HAYSTAR IN CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING FORM AT 2024 NI SIMMENTAL CLUB CALF SHOW!
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Royal Highland Show 21st June to 24th June 2018
Judges Report, John Dykes
I was greatly honoured to be invited by the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society and the Simmental Society to judge the classes at the Royal Highland Show. To be invited by one’s peers to place their entries at such a prestigious event is a great vote of confidence to any livestock breeder.
At the time of writing this report, our herd is in the process of being prepared for dispersal, but this in no way reduces my enthusiasm for the breed or confidence in a very exciting and progressive future for Simmentals and their breeders. After thirty-one years of involvement with this breed at all levels, placing the cattle at the Highland Show is indeed the icing on the cake.
As a breeder of commercial cattle for over fifty years, I have always been very conscious of the qualities that lead to ease of management and profitability. I hope that my placings of the many quality cattle paraded before me went some way to bear this out.
As always at the ‘Highland’, the eleven classes led off with the youngest female class, yearling heifers. There were nine heifers forward with the eventual first place going to Frank Gwynne’s Chestermann Empire Stella. A very stylish young heifer who moved really well and has the potential to grow into a very impressive cow. Second was the Green’s Corskie Inita and third was Richard McCulloch’s Overhill House India.
The next age class was well supported with thirteen of the sixteen entries forward. The winner of this class was Jimmy McMillan’s Sterling FCUK Impuls – a very long, clean, whole coloured heifer with lots of style and beautifully shown. Perhaps not quite perfect behind but nevertheless a worthy winner. Second was Heather Duff’s Pitmudie Florin 2nd and third was Jim & Patricia Goldie’s Newbiemains Impressive.
The July to December 2016 class was again well supported with twelve entries forward. The Green’s Corskie Herlande came out top in this strong class, A very sound, good moving heifer who went on to be Best Junior Female and eventually Best Junior Animal of the breed. Second and Reserve Junior Female was Gerald Smith’s Drumsleed Hilight. She also followed the first prize winner through to become Reserve Overall Junior Champion. Third in the class was Michael Durno’s Auchorachan Letta H1.
The class for heifers born between 1st January and end of June 2016 was slightly smaller but of a very high standard. The eventual winner of a very close-run decision was Heather Duff’s Pitmudie Havana, beating Jimmy & Vikki Wood’s Popes Rhona. Havana showed more breed character through her head and front end and went on to be Female Champion and Reserve Overall in a very strong female section. Third in this class to these two impressive animals was Corskie Harp from the Greens.
Heifers born in 2015 was a strong class with the older animals nursing calves. The winner was Gerald Smith’s Drumsleed Gretel. A well grown heifer with a tidy udder, making a good job of rearing her calf. Second was Andy Wilson’s Cairnview Tilly 4th. Not quite as strong as the first prize winner but correct in every way and rearing a classy calf very well. This combination went on to win the prize for the Best Cow & Calf, judged as a pair. Third in the class was a younger heifer from Richard McCulloch, Overhill House Giggle.
The junior cow class had only three forward with Woodhall Erica in first place. A well grown dark coloured young cow from Richard McCulloch, nursing a good calf. A cow who will have a great future when she matures. Second was Gerald Smith’s Drumsleed Farina and third was Tom Henderson’s Annick Trixibelle 15th.
The senior cow class was the smallest in the female section with only two forward but was won by the very impressive Sterling Petra’s Cairo. This seven-year old cow was nursing a well reared calf but is starting to show signs of age in her locomotion. She went on to be Reserve Female Champion. Second was Dargill Cassie, also seven years old and in her working clothes, nursing a bull calf very well.
The bull classes were not quite so well supported as the females. The junior class of bulls had seven forward out of thirteen entries and was won by Corskie Infinity, a yearling bull from the Greens. A very free moving and growthy bull with all the right attributes to be a good herd sire. Second was Frank Gwynne’s Chestermann Imran and third was Skerrington Iceman from the Goldies.
Intermediate bulls was a little better filled class with twelve forward, to be led by Blackford Iolair. A red and white bull with exceptionally good fleshing and thickness throughout who went on to win the Interbreed Beefbreeder/Breedplan championship the following day. Second was Heather Duff’s Pitmudie Inverurie and third was Gerald Smith’s Drumsleed Iceman.
The first senior bull class had only two entries forward and was won by Camus Harold, a two-year old bull from the Woods. Very well fleshed, plenty of width and a great mover. Second was Overhill House Hercules from Richard McCulloch.
The last class of aged bulls only had two, but they were very impressive. Winner of the class was Blackford Galaxy from Michael Barlow. On his second visit to Ingliston under new ownership, he surpassed last year’s successes and went on to win the Male Championship and the Overall Breed Champion. He is a big bull carrying a lot of condition but still moved actively and freely. The second bull was Richard McCulloch’s Curaheen Drifter, an extremely thick, well fleshed bull also but did not move so freely as the first.
After placing all the seventy-two animals in the classes it was very satisfying to have all the first prize winners line up in a very pleasing show of top-class cattle. Blackford Galaxy making an outstanding Overall Champion with Pitmudie Havana a very worth Reserve.
I would just like to conclude by thanking and congratulating all the exhibitors for presenting such a fine show of cattle on a day when the weather was perfect for the event. Also, a big thank you to the directors, stewards and Scottish Simmental Club who, as always, excelled in their organisation of the judging, the welcome and the hospitality extended to Kate and myself on what will always be a memorable day.
Thank you.
DATE: 21st June to 24th June 2018 | JUDGE: Mr J Dykes | |||
CLASS & POSITION | NAME OF ANIMAL | SIRE | DAM | EXHIBITOR |
Best Bull, Breeder of Best Bull & Overall Champion | BLACKFORD GALAXY 15 | CURLIEU KNIGHT | BLACKFORD AERO | MR M A BARLOW |
Best Female, Reserve Overall Champion & Best Animal Bred by Exhibitor | PITMUDIE HAVANA | CORSKIE ELDER 13 | DRUMSLEED CARINA 11 | HEATHER DUFF |
Best Junior Bull, Reserve Bull & Best Animal of Opposite Sex to the Junior Champion | CAMUS HAROLD 16 | KILBRIDE FARM NEWRY | CAMUS EASTER | M/S J H & V G WOOD |
Reserve Female Champion | STERLING PETRA’S CAIRO | DOVEFIELDS GALLANT | STERLING DOLORES PETRA | MR & MRS P B & J A BORLASE |
Best Cow with Calf at foot, judged as a pair | CAIRNVIEW TILLY 4TH | WESTVIEW ELMO 13 | CAIRNVIEW TILLY | MR A J WILSON |
CAIRNVIEW ISMAN 17 | WOODHALL FERRARI 14 | CAIRNVIEW TILLY 4TH | MR A J WILSON | |
Best Junior Female & Best Junior Animal | CORSKIE HERLANDE | BEL DHU CAPERCAILLIE 11 | CORSKIE ROLANDE | MR WJ & J GREEN |
Reserve Junior Female & Reserve Junior Animal | DRUMSLEED HILIGHT 16 | GRANGEWOOD WILLIAM | DRUMSLEED EVITA 13 | MR G W SMITH |
Reserve Junior Bull | CORSKIE INFINITY 17 | BEL DHU CAPERCAILLIE 11 | CORSKIE FOURTH STAR | MR WJ & J GREEN |
Female, born on or after 01.04.17 | 1. CHESTERMANN EMPIRE STELLA | STERLING EMPIRE 13 | CHESTERMANN RINGLEADER STELLA | MESSRS N & N GWYNNE |
2. CORSKIE INITA | AULTMORE FRANCO 14 | CORSKIE ANITA | MR WJ & J GREEN | |
3. OVERHILL HOUSE INDIA | CURAHEEN DRIFTER | WOODHALL CLAUDIA | RICHARD MCCULLOCH | |
4. GARMOUTH DUMANDY’S ISABELLA | BEL DHU CAPERCAILLIE 11 | STERLING VERITY’S DUMANDY | LAURA GREEN | |
5. NEWBIEMAINS IRIS | WOODHALL FANTASTIC 14 | NEWBIEMAINS FUCHSIA | JIM & PATRICIA GOLDIE | |
6. STRATHISLA INDIA’S TWIGGY | ISLAVALE DONALD 12 | STRATHISLA ABBEY’S TWIGGY | STRATHISLA FARMS | |
Female, born between 01.01.17 & 31.03.17 | 1. STERLING FCUK IMPULS | STERLING GINO 15 | STERLING CANDY’S F.C.U.K | MR J MCMILLAN |
2. PITMUDIE FLORIN 2ND | CAIRNORRIE FERRARI 14 | PITMUDIE FLORIN | HEATHER DUFF | |
3. NEWBIEMAINS IMPRESSIVE | WOODHALL FANTASTIC 14 | NEWBIEMAINS EMPRESS | JIM & PATRICIA GOLDIE | |
4. AUCHORACHAN HILLY 6 | KILBRIDE FARM DELBOY 12 | AUCHORACHAN WENDY | D & R DURNO & SONS | |
5. DENIZES CADETTE 35TH | BOSAHAN DYNAMO 12 | DENIZES CADETTE 28TH | MR M A BARLOW | |
6. POPES NELLYS ILIA | SWINGLETREE EMPOROR 13 | POPES NELLYS DAZZLER | M/S J H & V G WOOD | |
Female, born on or between 01.07.16 and 31.12.16 | 1. CORSKIE HERLANDE | BEL DHU CAPERCAILLIE 11 | CORSKIE ROLANDE | MR WJ & J GREEN |
2. DRUMSLEED HILIGHT 16 | GRANGEWOOD WILLIAM | DRUMSLEED EVITA 13 | MR G W SMITH | |
3. AUCHORACHAN LETTA H1 | TEAM FERGUS 14 | AUCHORACHAN DYNASTY | D & R DURNO & SONS | |
4. CORSKIE HERB | BEL DHU CAPERCAILLIE 11 | CORSKIE DILL | MR WJ & J GREEN | |
5. KENNOX ALICE’S HELENA | DIRNANEAN BRADLEY 10 | ANNICK TARA’S ALICE | MR DAVID CRAIG | |
6. PITMUDIE HELENA | OVERHILL HOUSE ERAGON 13 | NEWBIEMAINS EXCLUSIVE | HEATHER DUFF | |
Female, born on or between 01.01.16 and 30.06.16 | 1. PITMUDIE HAVANA | CORSKIE ELDER 13 | DRUMSLEED CARINA 11 | HEATHER DUFF |
2. POPES RHONA | KILBRIDE FARM COMBER 11 | SKERRINGTON RHONA 21ST | M/S J H & V G WOOD | |
3. CORSKIE HARP | CELTIC ROCK | CORSKIE ELECTRA | MR WJ & J GREEN | |
4. POPES PRINCESS HETTIE | KILBRIDE FARM COMBER 11 | POPES PRINCESS CLEO | M/S J H & V G WOOD | |
5. STRATHISLA HERMES’S LUCY | DELLFIELD BRIGADIER 10 | BLAIR LUCY | STRATHISLA FARMS | |
6. DEERHURST HATTI 16 | STERLING COTSWOLD 11 | DEERHURST EUNICE | MR & MRS P B & J A BORLASE | |
Female, having calved before 3 years of age or due to calve before 3 years of age, in milk or in calf, born in 2015 | 1. DRUMSLEED GRETEL 15 | HAYSTAR CRACKER 11 | DRUMSLEED BUTTERSCOTCH | MR G W SMITH |
2. CAIRNVIEW TILLY 4TH | WESTVIEW ELMO 13 | CAIRNVIEW TILLY | MR A J WILSON | |
3. OVERHILL HOUSE GIGGLE | CURAHEEN DRIFTER | WOODHALL EFFIE | RICHARD MCCULLOCH | |
4. NEWBIEMAINS GOLDIES BABE | BLACKFORD ALBATROSS 09 | NEWBIEMAINS DREAM IN A FIELD | JIM & PATRICIA GOLDIE | |
5. OVERHILL HOUSE GOOSEY | BLACKFORD BEN MHOR 10 | WOODHALL EDITH | RICHARD MCCULLOCH | |
Female, born in 2013 or 2014, in milk or certified in calf at time of Show | 1. WOODHALL ERICA | RACEVIEW ALL-STAR KK | WOODHALL APRICOT 9 | RICHARD MCCULLOCH |
2. DRUMSLEED FARINA 14 | CLONAGH BUCKAROONEY TRUELY | BOARS HEAD KARINA 2ND | MR G W SMITH | |
3. ANNICK TRIXIBELLE 15TH | ANNICK CLAYMORE 11 | ANNICK TRIXI-BELLE 8TH | MR T A & E HENDERSON | |
Female, born on or before 31.12.12, in milk or certified in calf at time of Show | 1. STERLING PETRA’S CAIRO | DOVEFIELDS GALLANT | STERLING DOLORES PETRA | MR & MRS P B & J A BORLASE |
2. DARGILL CASSIE | BOSWELL WARRIOR | BLACKFORD NESSIE | J C MCLAREN & PARTNERS | |
Bull, born on or after 01.04.17 | 1. CORSKIE INFINITY 17 | BEL DHU CAPERCAILLIE 11 | CORSKIE FOURTH STAR | MR WJ & J GREEN |
2. CHESTERMANN IMRAN 17 | BLACKFORD RINGLEADER | CHESTERMANN HALE BOPP NELL | FRANK GWYNNE | |
3. SKERRINGTON ICEMAN 17 | SOWENNA ARISTROCRAT 09 9 | SKERRINGTON RHONA 32ND | JIM & PATRICIA GOLDIE | |
4. COXHILL INIS 17 | LOPEMEDE GREGG 15 | TEAM KASEY 19 | JAMES MCKAY WIGHTMAN | |
5. DARGILL INROCK 17 | KILBRIDE FARM DOUBLEACTION 12 | PORTLOGAN BONNIE | J C MCLAREN & PARTNERS | |
6. SPRINGFIELD INVADER 17 | SHILOH FREEDOM | SPRINGFIELD GOLDIE | GAVIN BROWN | |
Bull, born on or between 01.01.17 and 31.03.17 | 1. BLACKFORD IOLAIR 17 | KILBRIDE FARM DOUBLEACTION 12 | BLACKFORD WAXWING | MR W G MACPHERSON (A FIRM) |
2. PITMUDIE INVERURIE 17 | CORSKIE ELDER 13 | NEWBIEMAINS ELIZABETH | HEATHER DUFF | |
3. DRUMSLEED ICEMAN 17 | HAYSTAR CRACKER 11 | DRUMSLEED CASSIE | MR G W SMITH | |
4. GARMOUTH ICEMAN 17 | DIRNANEAN BRADLEY 10 | CORSKIE CLOVER | LAURA GREEN | |
5. MANOR PARK IRVINE 17 | KILBRIDE FARM BERRATOFT 10 | MANOR PARK ALLANAH | MR D C HOULDEY | |
6. CHESTERMANN IFAN 17 | STERLING EMPIRE 13 | CHESTERMANN RINGLEADER LULU 2 | FRANK GWYNNE | |
Bull, born on or between 01.01.16 and 31.12.16 | 1. CAMUS HAROLD 16 | KILBRIDE FARM NEWRY | CAMUS EASTER | M/S J H & V G WOOD |
2. OVERHILL HOUSE HERCULES 16 | CURAHEEN DRIFTER | WOODHALL ERICA | RICHARD MCCULLOCH | |
Bull, born on or before 31.12.15 | 1. BLACKFORD GALAXY 15 | CURLIEU KNIGHT | BLACKFORD AERO | MR M A BARLOW |
2. CURAHEEN DRIFTER | CURAHEEN WARRIOR (ET) | CURAHEEN VIA | RICHARD MCCULLOCH | |
Best Group consisting of one Bull and two Females, all the property of one Exhibitor | 1. POPES RHONA | KILBRIDE FARM COMBER 11 | SKERRINGTON RHONA 21ST | M/S J H & V G WOOD |
1. CAMUS HAROLD 16 | KILBRIDE FARM NEWRY | CAMUS EASTER | M/S J H & V G WOOD | |
1. POPES PRINCESS HETTIE | KILBRIDE FARM COMBER 11 | POPES PRINCESS CLEO | M/S J H & V G WOOD | |
Group of Three Animals, by the same sire, any age or sex | 1. CORSKIE HERB | BEL DHU CAPERCAILLIE 11 | CORSKIE DILL | MR WJ & J GREEN |
1. CORSKIE INFINITY 17 | BEL DHU CAPERCAILLIE 11 | CORSKIE FOURTH STAR | MR WJ & J GREEN | |
1. CORSKIE HERLANDE | BEL DHU CAPERCAILLIE 11 | CORSKIE ROLANDE | MR WJ & J GREEN | |
Interbreed – Beef Recorded Bull (Continental), born on or after 01.01.16 | 1. BLACKFORD IOLAIR 17 | KILBRIDE FARM DOUBLEACTION 12 | BLACKFORD WAXWING | MR W G MACPHERSON (A FIRM) |
2. CAMUS HAROLD 16 | KILBRIDE FARM NEWRY | CAMUS EASTER | M/S J H & V G WOOD | |
6. OVERHILL HOUSE HERCULES 16 | CURAHEEN DRIFTER | WOODHALL ERICA | RICHARD MCCULLOCH | |
Interbreed – Beef Breeder Continental Champion | BLACKFORD IOLAIR 17 | KILBRIDE FARM DOUBLEACTION 12 | BLACKFORD WAXWING | MR W G MACPHERSON (A FIRM) |