‘THE HUGO ARNOLD TROPHY’ ANNOUNCED FOR THE SIMMENTAL ‘NEXT GENERATION’ SALE

The British Simmental Cattle Society is delighted to announce the gift of a newly commissioned trophy, ‘The Hugo Arnold Trophy’, which will be awarded to the Overall Champion in the Weaned Calf section of the new Simmental ‘Next Generation’ Show and Sale to be held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, in December this year.  In addition to the new trophy, named in memory of Hugo Arnold of the highly noted Hockenhull Simmental herd, the Cheshire based Arnold family have also put forward a sponsorship arrangement that will see a level of prize money put forward to the sale over the next five years.

Announcing the gift of The Hugo Arnold Trophy and the sponsorship agreement, BSCS President Stewart Stronach said: “Upon being approached by James Arnold, the Society is of course absolutely delighted to accept this hugely generous offer.  Hugo Arnold is a legendary figure in the history of British Simmental and I’m sure all members will agree that it is very fitting and appropriate to have his name at the forefront of this new sale.  On behalf of the Society I’d like to sincerely thank the Arnold family for their kindness and support.”

Hugo Arnold, who sadly passed away last year, served a distinguished term as the Society’s President in 1995-1996.  His Hockenhull pedigree prefix resonates with Simmental and pedigree breeders not just in the UK but around the world. Synonymous with quality, breeding, and stockmanship, Hockenhull animals have been prolific at both sales and shows to the very highest level, and Hockenhull bloodlines have been the bedrock of many herds and with a continuing influence throughout the Simmental herdbook.

Commenting on the offer made to the Society, Mr Arnold’s son James said: “My father loved the Simmental breed and they played a huge part in his life.  One of his often quoted sayings was that ‘Simmental cattle needed to be bred because they make money and not because they look good being shown’!  The commercial perspective of this new sale, and particularly the emphasis and marketing of the young stock, we are sure would have sat very well with him.  As such the Arnold family are delighted to be associated with this progressive fixture and to help support the breed and the membership.”

First announced in April this year, the Simmental ‘Next Generation’ Sale will be for all classes of pedigree Simmental females, and with a further section for pedigree Simmental Weaned Calves born in the 2021 year.  Held on one day, the fixture will see a show for the females, followed by the weaned calves with classes for bulls and heifers, and with the sale itself held thereafter. 

Speaking at the time of the launch, Stewart Stronach said: “It is the aim that this fixture can quickly establish itself to be a showcase sale for the Simmental breed that provides the quality, performance and genetics for ‘next generation’ cornerstone cattle in herds across the UK.   The introduction of a weaned calf section for registered calves born in the year of the sale is an exciting inclusion and a new way for breeders to market calves with breeding, style and potential.  We hope that this sale will have something for everyone and will offer choice and opportunities for new and established pedigree breeders, and also for commercial producers.”

The Simmental ‘Next Generation’ Sale will be held on Friday 3^rd December at Harrison & Hetherington’s Borderway Mart, Carlisle.  Entries opened on Monday 14th June and can be made by visiting the Simmental section within the H&H website at: 

https://harrisonandhetherington.co.uk/entry-forms/pedigree-beef-online/?catid=62&cat=simmental

The closing date for entries is Monday 4th October.