Crowds flocked to a sunny Echt Show on Saturday to witness some of the finest livestock and horses from across the north-east.
Leading the charge taking home the prestigious champion of champions title was an 18-month old Limousin heifer, which stood beef interbreed champion earlier in the day.
Foxhillfarm Miss Money Penny is owned jointly by Garry Patterson, of Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith, and Graham Morrison of Inchbruich, Cornhill, Banff.
The duo paid 10,000gn for the heifer in May, buying her from Devon-based breeder Mike and Melanie Alford. She is an embryo transfer daughter of the 38,000gn Foxhillfarm Irish Lad and out of the world-record priced Limousin female Glenrock Illusion, which cost the Alfords 125,000gn.
Standing reserve overall in the beef section was the cross cattle champion from Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart of Huntly and Insch.
Fresh off the heels of winning the champion of champions accolade at Fettercairn the weekend before, Gold Rush is a 14-month-old Charolais cross heifer. She was snapped up by Mr Duffton for £3,200 when he was judging at Dungannon, Northern Ireland.
In the sheep section the supreme interbreed title went to sisters Eilidh and Erin Duncan of Barnyards, Clola, Peterhead.
They reigned supreme with their Charollais breed champion – December-2015 born ewe Braemuir Pandora. By Riverdale Noble, and out of a Cannahars-bred ewe, she was part of the interbreed group of three at Keith and reserve individual interbreed at New Deer last year.
The sisters also took the reserve Charollais champion rosettes with a December-born tup lamb.
Reserve overall in the sheep section went to the Beltex champion from well-known breeder Stuart Wood at Woolhillock, Skene.
Mr Wood’s champion was a gimmer by Todhall Sumo, which was bought in partnership with Kingledores at Lanark, and out of Woodies Wag. She stood second at the Highland earlier in the year.
In the sheep interbreed group of four contest, Mr Wood’s Beltexes stood supreme, with the Duncan sisters standing reserve with their Charollais entry.
The overall horse champion title went to Sue Williamson, of Eskside Pony Stud, Justinhaugh, Forfar, with Chidook Shooting Times.
The results were:
CATTLE
Aberdeen-Angus: Graham Willox, Meikle Pitinnan, Oldmeldrum, with six-year-old cow Mosston Muir Ingrid, which was bought in October last 2015 at the Mosston Muir dispersal for 11,500gn. She stood champion at Echt, New Deer and Keith last year as well as champion of champions at last year’s Scottish Beef Supreme Cattle Championship. Reserve: Mark Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with home-bred three-year-old cow Tonley Fiona with a bull calf by Tonley Elgar. She is by Blelack Evor and stood second at the Beef Expo in Carlisle.
British Blonde: Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with home-bred two-year-old in-calf heifer Strathisla Lavender, by Strathisla Hero and out of Strathisla Brandy. Reserve: Alison Watt with home-bred eight-year-old cow Strathisla Ellen and her bull calf Strathisla Nevis at foot. She is by a French bull called Super and out of Strathisla April. She was champion at Banchory last year.
British Blue: James Youngson, Westerton, Echt, with 11-year-old cow Gregmaur Brandy, by Gib Ven Het Neganbond and out of Gregmaur Petra. She has been show successfully in the past and her progeny have sold up to 14,000gn. Reserve: James Youngson with home-bred February-2015 born stock bull Westerton Kenmay. He is by Tamhorn Sumo and out of Drumlove Fancypants.
Charolais: Mark Wattie with a home-bred 13-month-old bull called Tonley Marinho. On his first outing, he is by Blelack Forbes and out of Blelack Glamourpuss. Reserve: Wendy Kingaby, Mains of Auchmedden, Pennan, near Fraserburgh, with home-bred two-year-old bull Utopia Lotus. On his first outing, he is by Newroddige Hercules and out of Utopia Goddess.
Highland: Steven and Amy Reid, Forest Park, Stonehaven, with three-year-old heifer Sorcha Dubh second of Cladich. by Seonaidh Mor of Ardura and out of Sorcha Dubh of Cladich. This was her first championship win. Reserve: Ian Adams, Beech Tree Road, Banchory, with four-year-old cow Frangag Dubh of Cladich, by Seonaidh Mor of Ardura and out of Frangag Donn 10th of Torloisk. She stood champion at Echt for the past three years.
Limousin: Garry Patterson, Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith, with 18-month-old heifer Foxhillfarm Miss Money Penny. On her first outing, she is owned jointly with Graham Morrison, of Inchbruich, Cornhill, Banff. Bought for 10,000gn from the Alford family in Devon, she is an embryo transfer daughter out of the 38,000gn Foxhillfarm Irish Lad and out of the 125,000gn Glenrock Illusion. Reserve: Craig and Jack Hendry, Heads of Auchinderran, Keith, with two-year-old heifer Powerful Kango, by Haltcliffe Dancer and out of Liscairn Fantastic. She was bought as a six-month-old in Ireland for £3,300 and stood reserve at Nairn and New Deer last year.
Salers: Alister Mackenzie, Whitebog Farm, Fortrose, Ross-shire, with two-year-old in-calf heifer Whitebog Kim, by Gentleman and out of Whitebog Hayley. She stood champion at Echt last year and junior female champion at the Highland. Reserve: Alister Mackenzie with home-bred rising two-year-old bull Whitebog Karbolic, by Whitebog Sandy and out of Whitebog Gwen. He was reserve at the Highland.
Simmental: Scott and Kerry Smith, Bankhead, Portlethen, Aberdeen, with home-bred two-year-old heifer Forgeron Cornflower, by Forgeron Dexter and out of Lopemed Cornflower. She was any other breed champion at Tarland last year. Reserve: Scott and Kerry Smith with home-bred yearling heifer Forgeron Helen, by Ranflury Empire. She was on her first outing.
Any other breed: Fiona Wilson, Kirkton, Mintlaw, Peterhead, with two-year-old Shorthorn heifer Stonehills Fairy Clipper 7th. She was bought in Carlisle in May for 2,600gn and is by Uppermill Jefferson. She forms part of Ms Willson’s 11-cow Fordie herd. Reserve: Alison Watt with four-month-old Shorthorn bull calf Strathisla Lincoln, by Declan of Craigiebank and out of successful show cow Grandtullybrae Yantara Trixy 4th.
Cross cattle unhaltered: Miller Farms, North Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie, with a British Blue cross cow with Limousin cross bull calf at foot. Reserve: Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart of Huntly and Insch, with a pair of Limousin cross heifers. One was bred in Orkney and the other was bred at Newtack, Grange, Keith.
Cross cattle haltered: Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart with 14-month-old Charolais cross heifer Gold Rush. She was bought in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, for £3,200 from Alan Veitch. She stood champion of champions at Fettercairn. Reserve: Mark Robertson, Easter Fodderletter Farm, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch, with yearling Belgian Blue cross heifer Rachel. She was bought privately from Alistair Robson, Old Manse, Glass, Huntly, and stood Rising Stars champion at the Christmas Classic and reserve overall at the Spring Show.
Carcase cattle: A. Sharp and Sons, Farmton, Alford, with a Limousin heifer. Reserve: Bill Cameron, Burnside of Edingight, Grange, Huntly, with a Limousin cross bullock.
Young handlers: Junior, 1 – Emma Smith; 2 – Lewis Singer; 3 – Ewan Singer; 4 – Tara Adams. Intermediate, 1 – Craig Coutts; 2 – Nicola May Howie; 3 – Beth Noble; 4 – Shaun Clark. Senior, 1 – Mark Wattie; 2 – Aileen Ritchie; 3 – Mark Robertson; 4 – Ross Junor.
SHEEP
Beltex: Stuart Wood, Woolhillock, Skene, with a gimmer by Todhall Sumo, a tup bought in partnership with Kingledores at Lanark, out of Woodies Wag. She was second at the Highland on her sole previous outing. Reserve: Gary Morrison, Bush Farm, Keith, with a previously unshown ewe lamb by Padkin Sugar Daddy out of Beechcross Wisteria, purchased in 2015.
Bluefaced Leicester: C.R. and E.S. Millican, Newton of Hassiewells, Rothienorman, with a gimmer bought at Carlisle in January from Nunsleugh. She is by an E1 Hewgill and was on her first outing since being bought. Reserve: C.R. and E.S. Millican with another entry from their 20-ewe Hassiewells flock. This Riddings-bred shearling ram was bought last year at Carlisle for 4,000gn. He was also on his first outing since and is by an H1 Marriforth sire.
Charollais: Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, Peterhead, with December-2015 born ewe Braemuir Pandora. She was part of the interbreed group of three at Keith and reserve invdividual interbreed at New Deer last year. She is by Riverdale Noble and out of a Cannahars-bred ewe. Reserve: Eilidh and Erin Duncan with a December-born tup lamb by Arbryn Rhodri, out of a home-bred ewe by Cannahars Murray Mint.
Suffolk: Graeme Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie, with the breed leader from Angus – a gimmer by Deveronside Doodlebug that also scooped the reserve interbreed sheep at Angus. She is out of a home-bred ewe by Strathisla Stiffler. Reserve: C. and M, Bruce, Tillyeve, Udy, Ellon, with a home-bred shearling ram by Davishill Alfie, which was bought at Stirling for 1,800gn in 2015, and out of a home-bred ewe. He was on his first outing and is bound for the breed sale at Thainstone, in September.
Texel: Robbie Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff, with a home-bred gimmer by Glenside Wild Boy out of a ewe by Teiglum Tornado which is a full sister to Milnbank Vantastic. She was sixth at the Highland. Reserve: Graham Morrison, Inchbruich, Cornhill, Banff, with a home-bred two-crop ewe by Strathbogie Terminator, out of a ewe by Glenside Razzle Dazzle, on her first outing.
Zwartbles: Faye Wilkie (13), Whitestone, Skene, with mid January-born ewe lamb Whitestone Emerald, by Speyside Buzz, a ram bought privately from Brenda Scott, out of a Chapelpark Briony. She was fifth at the Highland for the 13-ewe flock. Reserve: Faye Wilkie with Whitestone Drambuie, a shearling ram by Speyside Buzz, out of Broomfield Beyonce which was bought at Carlisle in 2015 where she stood pre-sale champion.
Any other breed of sheep native: A. and B. Henderson, Nether Toucks, Dunnottar, Stonehaven, with a home-bred Lleyn ewe that was champion at Fettercairn this year and native champion here last year. She is by a Johnston tup bought at Carlisle and out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve: K. Milne, Bennachie Gardens, Sauchen, Inverurie, with an end of February-born Oxford Down tup lamb by a Culsh sire and out of a home-bred ewe. He is one of 20 ewes in the Bennachie flock.
Any other continental sheep breed: Stasa Moyse, Woolhillock, Skene, with last year’s winner – a Blue Texel called Saltire A beauty, a daughter of Hackney XFactor out of a Belgian ewe bought at the Sapphire sale carrying Abeauty. She was champion at Turriff last year and stood fourth at the Highland, last month. Reserve: Stasa Moyse with a Blue Texel a tup lamb by the 3,300gn Hackney You Are Jocking, out of the same ewe that bred the champion.
Cross sheep: A. Miller, The Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie, with a one-crop Texel cross ewe bought privately from Stuart Youngson, Westerton. The dam is a Texel cross Cheviot. Reserve: William and David Moir, Cairness Home Farm, Fraserburgh, with the champion pen of three, a pen of three end of February-born Suffolk cross ewe lambs out of home-bred Texel cross ewes. They were champion at Angus and first at the Highland.
Hoof and carcase: Hoof champion went to S. Miller, The Lurg, Midmar, with a pen of two Beltex cross lambs. Reserve: R. Wilkie, Tillyboy, Echt, with a pair of March-born Texel cross lambs.
Young handlers: Junior, 1 – Samuel Miskelly; 2 – Will Henderson; 3 – Isaac Miskelly. Intermediate, 1 – Faith Miskelly; 2 – Charlie Thomas; 3 – Jack Millican. Senior, 1 – Finn Christie; 2 – Faye Wilkie; 3 – Hannah Lorimer.
NATIVE HORSES
Clydesdale and overall native horse champion: Shona Campbell and Amanda Merchant, Gordoun Smallholdings, Fettercairn, Laurencekirk, with home-bred three-year-old yeld mare Rolling Thunder Maggie May, by Singlie Storm and out of Heather Wick Lady Lucinda. Ms Merchant also won the ridden Clydesdale class on Rolling Thunder Bojangles. Reserve: Jim Gibb, Clola, Mintlaw, with a gelding named Collessie Full Monty, by Collessie Stepping Stone and out of Sandhill Ellie May. He was bred by Ronnie Black.
Highland: Gordon and Ann Towns, Easdale, Markethill, Turriff, with home-bred two-year-old filly Yvette May of Forglen, by Marnon-wells Glean Eagas and out of Pamela May of Forglen. She stood junior champion last year. Reserve: Lynne McDonald, Mains of Coynach, Tarland, Aboyne, with home-bred mare Morven of Coynach, by Edindurno Glen Clova and out of April Mist of Tifty.
Shetland and reserve overall native horse champion: Ann Irvine, Kininvie, Blackford, Rothienorman, with home-bred seven-year-old miniature stallion Rocky of Haybrake, by Hazelhead Dynamite and out of Erica of Haybrake. He has a successful show history. Reserve: Shetland – N. Macdonald – Lewis, Hillhead Croft, Methlick, Ellon, with standard stallion Wells Legand.
GOATS
Champion: Fiona Smith, Broomhill Farm, Dunecht, Westhill, with four-year-old Toggenburg adult male Willowriver Schwartz. Reserve: Fiona Strachan, Backhill Pygmy Goats, Backhill of Camaloun, Auchterless, with an 18-month-old Pygmy billy named Elvis.