A Limousin cross heifer from Huntly and Insch duo Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart was crowned champion of champions at Echt Show on Saturday.
Crowds gathered at the annual event to witness some of the region’s finest livestock and horses, and the event attracted particularly strong classes in the sheep section.
Strutting her stuff to go all the way to the top, and securing a first supreme win for the duo at Echt, was I’ll Be There.
The 14-month-old heifer, on her first outing, was purchased at the Royal Northern Spring Show in February from the Robertsons at Fodderletter, Tomintoul, after standing champion.
Bred by Stuart Raeburn, she is by the AI sire Mereside Lorenzo.
The reserve honours in the beef section went to a Limousin bull from the Davidson family – Richard, Kathleen, Richard and Rachael – of Corsairtly, Keith.
This was Corsairtly Oswald, an 18-month-old son of Ronick Inspector, out of Corsaitly Janelle.
He was placed in his class at the Highland and is destined for the bull sales in October.
In the sheep lines, history was made when a Blue Texel from Stuart and Wendy Hunter, and sons Cameron and Finlay, stood supreme champion.
Taking home the red, white and blue sash was their champion from Fettercairn, a one-crop ewe named Hunters Bramble, by Dulas Axe, out of Millside Import.
It was also a good day for the Lorimer family from Cadgerford, Kingswells, when they secured their first ever Suffolk championship after more than 50 years of exhibiting at the show.
Going on to win the reserve title after being the top pick in a bumper line-up of Suffolks was a home-bred gimmer by Balnacannon Boss, out of a home-bred ewe by Lakeview Laidlaw.
Taking the top honours among the horses was the ridden pony in-hand champion, Eskside Rock Crystal from Sue Williamson, ahead of South Hills 1 Propose from Fiona Thomson.
Also forward for the champion of champions title was the leader in the goat section, a 14-month-old male named Caisteal Cnoc Deron from Maxine Tarry and Ian Garden.
RESULTS
CATTLE
Aberdeen-Angus – Mark Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with six-year-old cow Tonley Jay Erica, by Blelack Evor, a sire which has bred bulls to 24,000gn. She is out of Tonley Julie Erica and was shown with her bull calf Tonley Jumbo Eric. Reserve – Graham and Fiona Willox, Meikle Pitinnan, Oldmeldrum, with four-year-old cow Carhurlie Essence, which stood champion at Fettercairn. She is by Balmachie Blackbird.
British Blonde – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with 13-month-old heifer Strathisla Maxine, by Strathisla Hero, out of Strathisla Ester. Reserve – Graeme Anderson, Beltie Cottage, Glassel, with Glassel Neymar, a 22-month-old bull by Strathisla Glen, out of Strathisla Heather.
British Blue – Scott and Kerry Smith, Bankhead, Portlethen, with 14-month-old heifer Springfield Nina, by Mannequin De Sberchamps. She stood champion at Fettercairn.
Highland Cattle – Stephen and Amy Reid, Forestpark, Stonehaven, with April 2017-born Catriona 3 of Teaghlach, by Catriona 2 of Lyntoun, out of Seumas 3 of Lagg. Reserve – Grace Fold, Lochton of Leys, Banchory, with heifer Duchess of Grace, which stood champion at Dalmally Show last year. She is by Brogach of Leys.
Limousin – Richard and Kathleen Davidson, Corsairtly, Keith, with Corsairtly Oswald, a January, 2018-born bull which went on to stand reserve interbreed beef champion. He is by Ronick Inspector, out of Corsairtly Janelle and will be for sale in October. Reserve – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Whitecairns, with 16-month-old heifer Ritchies Oracle, by Rathconville Eugene, out of Dinmore Elle. She stood champion at Fettercairn and Alyth.
Salers – David Watson, Darnford, Durris, with Darnford Keene. Reserve – Jamie and Ian McIntyre, Milton of Cullerie, Echt, with seven-year-old cow Lisnamaul Floss, by Ballynarry Samul.
Simmental – Laura Beattie, Corskie, Garmouth, with two-year-old heifer Garmouth Dumandy’s Isabella, by Bel Dhu Capercaillie, out of Sterling Verity Dumandy. She was purchased at Carlisle in 2015 and second in her class to the reserve overall champion at the Highland Show. Reserve – Scott and Kerry Smith with Forgeron Helen, a three-year-old by Ranflury Emperor, out of Forgeron Raquel.
Any other breed of cattle – Rattery Estate, Peterhead, with Rattray Maddie, a March 2018-born Beef Shorthorn heifer by Galla Hercules, out of Hildaland Madeline. Reserve – Alison Watt, with a Beef Shorthorn named Strathisla Lauren, by Declan of Craigiebank.
Cross cattle – Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart of Huntly and Insch, with I’ll Be There, a 14-month-old Limousin cross heifer on its first outing. Bred by Stuart Raeburn, she was bought from the Robertsons at Fodderletter, when she stood champion at the Spring Show. She is by the AI sire Lorenzo and stood champion at the Christmas Classic as a calf. Reserve – Barry Paterson, Cairndaie Croft, Sauchen, with a Feburary-born heifer calf named Tracy Jacks. She was bought with her dam from Craig Malone, Pitcairn, at Caledonian Marts, Stirling, and stood reserve champion at Fettercairn.
SHEEP
Beltex – Stuart Wood, Woolhillock, Skene, with a two-crop ewe which was imported from Belgium with its dam. She stood first in her class at the Highland and was breed champion at Turriff as a gimmer. Reserve – Alan Miller, North Lurg, Midmar.
Bluefaced Leicester – CR and ES Millican, Newton of Hassiewells, Rothienorman, with a ewe lamb on its first outing by 4,000gn J22 Riddings, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – Andrew Jolly, Clyne Farm, Straloch, Newmachar, with a home-bred shearling tup, by Dreva, on its first outing.
Blue Texel – WJ and M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, Insch, with a home-bred one-crop ewe named Hunters Bramble, which stood interbreed sheep champion. She is by Dulas Axe, out of Millside Import and stood champion at Fettercairn. Reserve – Stasa Moyes, Woolhillock, Skene, with a home-bred gimmer named Saltire Catch Me If You Can, by Hackney Your Joking, out of Saltire A Beauty.
Suffolk – JA Lorimer, Cadgerford, Kingswells, with the reserve interbreed champion. This was a home-bred gimmer by Balnacannon Boss, out of a home-bred ewe by Lakeview Laidlaw. Her dam was interbreed champion at Banchory in 2017. Reserve – Graeme Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie, with a ewe lamb by Lakeview Under the Radar, out of Deveronvale Doodlebug. She was fourth at the Highland.
Texel – Rachel Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff, with a ewe lamb on its first outing which was bought privately for £5,000 after it stood first in its class at Balmoral Show. She is by Far Hey Billy The Kid, out of Llangwm Vantastic. Reserve – WJ and M Hunter, with a shearling tup named Craig Douglas Blackjack, by Mullan Amigo, out of Sportsmans Unbeatable. She is shared with Craig Paterson.
Any other breed of sheep native – Andrew Leek, Greenhill Farmhouse, Lonmay, with a home-bred three-crop Blackface ewe which is by a tup lamb bought from Crammie. Reserve – Calum Richard, with a two-crop Blackface ewe which was bought as a gimmer. She is by a £62,000 Dalchirla and was on her first outing.
Any other breed of sheep continental – Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Barnyards, Clola, Mintlaw, with a Charollais ewe lamb on its first outing. She is by Logie Durno Sargeant, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – Eilidh and Erin Duncan, with a Charollais tup lamb by Loanhead Single Malt.
Ryeland – Raymond and Beth Aitken, Beech Cottage, Newton of Fetternear, Inverurie, with a shearling tup named Fettercairn Ythan. He is by Fetternear Viking, out of a home-bred ewe and stood second at the Highland. Reserve – Raymond and Beth Aitken, with a ewe lamb named Fetternear Zante, by Broomwell Xmarks The Scot, out of a home-bred ewe, was on her first outing.
Zwartbles – Faye Wilkie, Whitestone, Skene, with tup lamb Whitestone Gabriel, by Killymallaght Engima, out of Cynefin Destiny, which stood third at the Highland and male champion at the Scottish national. Reserve – David Miskelly, Corrybrae, Kildrummy, Alford, with home-bred gimmer Corrybrae Fanfair, by Greystone Disco, out of a home-bred ewe. She was on her first outing.
Cross sheep – Single and overall cross champion – Finn Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie, with a home-bred gimmer by a Blackjack Beltex tup, out of a Suffolk cross ewe.
Cross sheep – Groups and reserve overall cross champion – Nicol Dow Livestock Ltd, Upper Sauchen, with three one-crop Suffolk cross ewes out of Texel cross Cheviot Mules. Reserve – Kenny Moir, with a pen of three continental bred ewe lambs.
HORSES
Clydesdales – Norman Christie, with home-bred two-year-old filly Anguston Ali, by Redcastle Dreamliner. Reserve – Ian Young, Wellheads, Clochan, with yeld mare Arradoul Ellie May, by Arradoul Cardhu.
Highland ponies – Lynne McDonald, with 12-year-old mare Pavlova of Whitefield, by Lancelot of Whitefield. Reserve – Fiona Menzies, with ridden Highland pony champion Seamus of Forglen.
Shetland standard – Irene Spence and Kayleigh Nicol, with Warrackson Tamara, an eight-year-old mare by Scamells Criterium, out of Tay of Hutton. Reserve – Christine Forbes, with Burnside Milly.
Shetland pony miniature – Ann Irvine, with nine-year-old home-bred stallion Rocky of Haybrake, by Hazelhead Dynamite. Reserve – NS Wilson, with seven-year-old yeld mare Mingulay Lilly, by Kentstone Kingfisher.