Wellies were the order of the day at a muddy New Deer Show on Saturday.
Soggy conditions failed to deter exhibitors who turned out to show off their cattle, sheep and horses.
All eyes were on the main ring in the afternoon as the champion of champions title was decided.
Judge Jacqueline Strathdee – a cattle, sheep, horse and dog breeder from North Retanach, Rothiemay – awarded the coveted title to the leader from the cattle section.
This was 14-month-old Limousin cross heifer, I’ll Be There, from Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart from Huntly and Insch.
Ms Strathdee, said her champion was the “complete package with shape and style” and said: “She had a smartness about her that caught your eye.”
I’ll be There, brought out by William Moir, first impressed beef interbreed judge David Clark. Bred by Stuart Raeburn, she is by AI sire Mereside Lorenzo, and stood champion of champions at Echt the weekend before.
She was purchased for £4,600 at this year’s Royal Northern Spring Show when she stood champion for the Robertsons at Fodderletter, Tomintoul.
Also vying for the top prize were the overall sheep and horse champions.
The sheep interbreed winner, judged by John Bell, was a home-bred two-crop Suffolk ewe from Craig Paterson’s Cranorskie flock at Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder. By Muirton One Direction, and out of a Strathisla Spielberg-sired dam, she was reserve at Fettercairn.
The horse interbreed winner was home-bred two-year-old Clydesdale filly, Arradoul Capella, from Ian Young, Wellheads, Clochan, Buckie. By Arradoul Balvenie, she was reserve at Turriff and Echt last year.
The reserve beef interbreed was home-bred two-year-old Charolais heifer, Strathys Nessie, by Maerdy Harry Potter, from Kevin and Jackie Mallarkey, Airdlin Mains, Ythanbank, Ellon.
Reserve overall in the sheep section was a Suffolk cross Half Bred gimmer from Moir Livestock, Home Farm, Cairness. She was bought as a ewe lamb from Miller Farms.
The reserve overall horse was five-year-old Welsh Section A gelding, Thistledown Skyfall, from Lynn Robertson, The Paddock, Pitmedden.
RESULTS
CATTLE
Aberdeen-Angus – Mark Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with home-bred six-year-old cow Tonley Jay Erica, shown with her bull calf Tonley Jumbo Eric at foot. She is by Blelack Evor, and was champion at Echt. Reserve – Bruce MacAngus, Little Glencoe, Meikle Kirkhill, Maud, with March-2018 born bull Schivas Black Dog, by the 15,000gn Gretnahouse Exorcet. He was bought with his mother at the Schivas dispersal for 3,800gn, and forms part of Bruce’s new Little Glencoe herd.
Charolais – Kevin and Jackie Mallarkey, Airdlin Mains, Ythanbank, Ellon, with home-bred two-year-old heifer Strathys Nessie, by Maerdy Harry Potter. Champion here last year. Reserve – Graeme and Mark Leggat, Mormond Prop, New Pitsligo, with home-bred 13-month-old bull Bonnykelly Osbert, by Gretnahouse Ivory. On first outing.
Limousin – R & K Davidson, Corsairtly Farm, Keith, with home-bred 18-month-old bull Corsairtly Oswald, by Ronick Inspector. He was reserve interbreed champion at Echt and is destined for the bull sales in October. Reserve – Aileen Ritchie, Tamala, Whitecairns, with 16-month-old heifer Ritchies Oracle, by Rathconville Eugene. She stood champion at Fettercairn and Alyth, and reserve at Echt.
Simmental – W J & J Green, Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers, with home-bred seven-year-old cow Corskie Disco with twin calves at foot. Shown by stockman Shaun Cumming, she is by Islavale Sabre and stood champion at the Highland Show. Reserve – Laura Beattie, Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers, with home-bred in-calf heifer Garmouth Dumandy’s Isabella, by Bel Dhu Capercaillie. She was champion at Echt and junior female champion at the Scottish National Show last year.
Highland – Scott and Alison Brown, Mains of Landerberry Farm, Echt, with three-year-old heifer Carlin 4th of Culfoich, by Jacob 2nd of Benmore. Bought in Oban when she stood champion yearling heifer, last year she was champion at Keith and reserve at Echt and Tarland. Reserve – Craig Finnie, Richmondhill House, Peterhead, with home-bred seven-year-old cow Heather 2nd of Richmondhill, by Charles of Richmondhill. Shown with calf, Tearlach of Richmondhill, by Charlotte Farman.
Shorthorn – Lucy Mair, Kinnermit, Turriff, with home-bred September-2017 born bull Muiresk Lord Mair, by Alvie Galaxy. He was senior bull champion at the Stars of the Future show last year and third at the Highland. Reserve – Grant Stephen, Hatton Farm, Dallas, with home-bred 17-month-old bull Glendual Mighty, by Castlemount Sammy.
Cross cattle – Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart from Huntly and Insch with 14-month-old Limousin cross heifer I’ll Be There. Bred by Stuart Raeburn, she was purchased for £4,600 from the Robertsons at Fodderletter, Tomintoul, at the Royal Northern Spring Show where she stood champion. By AI sire Mereside Lorenzo, she was champion of champions at Echt last weekend. Reserve – Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart with 14-month-old Charolais cross heifer Alabama. By Fiston and out of a Limousin cross cow, she was purchased at Carrick and Shannon Mart in Ireland for £2,000.
Any other continental breed – Alison Watt, Birkenburn, Keith, with home-bred in-calf two-year-old Blonde heifer Strathisla Maxine, by Strathisla Hero. Champion at Echt. Reserve – Alison Watt with five-year-old Blonde cow Doncombe J’Adore, by Doncombe Coolibah. She was bought at a reduction sale in September 2017, and shown with her heifer calf at foot.
Young handlers – 11 and under – Murray Greaves. Age 11-14 – Sophie Adams.
Carcase cattle on hoof – Best bullock: Craig Buchan, Nether Savoch, Longside. Best heifer – Ross Bros, Wardhead, Strichen.
SHEEP
Zwartbles – Faye Wilkie, Whitestone Farm, Westhill, with one-crop-ewe Glencoy Elegant, bought in August 2017 as a ewe lamb for 850gn. She was champion at the National Zwartbles Show in June. Reserve – Faye Wilkie with shearling tup Didcot Fjord, by East Middle Ben Nevis. Bought for 1,800gn last August in Carlisle.
Beltex – Alan Miller, Miller Farms, The Lurg, Midmar, Inverurie, with gimmer Rathbone Destiny’s Child, by Kingledores Adonis. Bought as a ewe lamb at Carlisle for 500gn. Reserve – Ross and Kirsty Williams, Upper Tullochbeg, Huntly, with two-shear-tup Langlands Bruiser, by Smart Ass Alfie. He was bought as a shearling in Carlisle for 13,000gn and is jointly owned with Bruce Mair, Jimmy Young, Charles Copeland and Raymond Flaws. He will be for sale in Carlisle next month.
Texel – W J Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, with a home-bred ewe lamb by Hexel Born to be Wild and out of last year’s champion of champions at New Deer. She was fifth at the Highland. Reserve – Robbie Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff, with a home-bred gimmer by Greenstar Alfie, out of a Glenside Wild Boy-sired dam. Second at the Highland.
Suffolk – Craig Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder, with a home-bred two-crop ewe by Muirton One Direction and out of a Strathisla Spielberg-sired dam. Reserve at Fettercairn. Reserve – M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry, with home-bred tup lamb Auchry Allstar. By Limestone Legacy, he is going to the Stirling sale.
Any other breed (mv-acc) – Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Barnyards Farm, Clola, with a home-bred four-crop-ewe by Braemuir Otago and out of a Rigghead ewe bought at Stirling. On first outing. Reserve – Eilidh and Erin Duncan with a home-bred gimmer by Loanhead Single Malt.
Bluefaced leicester – M Seed & Son with a home-bred two-crop ewe by Myfyrian H1 and out of a home-bred ewe. Champion at Turriff for the last three years and champion here last year. Reserve – CR & ES Millican, Newton of Hassiewells, Rothienorman, with a home-bred tup lamb by K6 Lowfield Farm, out of a dam by H1 Breckhouse.
Any other breed (non-acc) – Andrew Leek, Greenhill Farmhouse, Lonmay, with a Dalchirla-bred Blackhouse gimmer, by Boris. Bought at Stirling in May for £150. Reserve – Raymond Aitken, Beech Cottage, Newton of Fetternear, Inverurie, with a home-bred Coloured Ryeland ewe lamb by Broomwell X Marks The Scot and out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve at Echt.
Small minority breed – Zoe and Neil Robson, Loanhead Croft, Cairnie, Huntly, with a home-bred Black Welsh Mountain shearling ram, by Loanhead Will I Am and out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – John Graham and Lois Thompson with a home-bred Shetland gimmer by Rosebank Ragnar, out of Elf of Derwent. Reserve at Keith last year.
Jacob – Adam Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly, with home-bred one-crop ewe Adamski Lottie, by Dunmore Antonio, out of Pentre Candie. Female champion as a ewe lamb at the Highland. Reserve – Adam Christie with three-shear ram Hope Knockout, by Hyndshaw Highland Laddie. Bought as a tup lamb at St Boswells for £1,000.
Cheviot – W & J Brown, Hilton of Culsh, New Deer, with a gimmer bought from Fife breeder George Milne in October. Reserve – W & J Brown, with a four-crop ewe purchased in-lamb at Lockerbie at a dispersal sale of Jane Jackson’s Erickston flock at Moffat.
Cross – Overall and single champion – Moir Livestock, Home Farm, Cairness, with a Suffolk cross Half Bred gimmer bought as a ewe lamb from Miller Farms. Reserve single – W & J Brown with a ewe. Champion pen – Sarah Connon, North Quilquox, Ythanbank, with a pen of three cross gimmers. Reserve pen – W & J Brown.
Young handlers – 11 and under – Daniel Riach. Age 11-14 – Faye Wilkie.
Prime lambs – John Cruickshank, 35 Main Street, New Deer, with Continentals. Reserve – Miller Farms, The Lurg, Midmar, with Continentals.
NATIVE HORSES
Clydesdale – Ian Young, Wellheads, Clochan, Buckie, with home-bred two-year-old filly, Arradoul Capella, by Arradoul Balvenie and out of Arradoul Symphony. She was reserve at Turriff and Echt last year. Reserve – James Gibb, Shoemakers Croft, Clola, Mintlaw, with eight-year-old gelding Collessie Full Monty.
Highland – Fiona Menzies, Myreton Farm, Insch, with ridden pony Seamus of Forglen. Reserve – Sarah McIntosh, Greystone, Blackhills, Turriff, with four-year-old mare Louise of Strathmore, by Pipe Major of Whitefield, and scanned in-foal.
Shetland Ponies – Standard champion – Irene Spence and Kayleigh Nicol, Suie Vale, Middle Steading, Baldyvin, Alford, with eight-year-old mare Warrackston Tamara. Reserve –Nina MacDonald-Lewis, Drumnagair Shetland Pony Stud, Hillhead Croft, Auchencrieve, with nine-year-old mare Hools Ann.
Miniature champion: Nina MacDonald-Lewis with two-year-old gelding Somahouse Pip Squeek. Reserve – Emma Watt with a gelding named Adam of Ore.