Livestock and horse breeders from across the north and north-east failed to let a windy day put them off at the 2016 Keith Country Show yesterday.
Crowds flocked to the event, which is now in its 144th year, to witness cows, horses and sheep compete for the coveted show championship rosettes.
In the sheep section the interbreed title was awarded to a home-bred Charollais gimmer from sisters Eilidh and Erin Duncan.
The duo, who hail from Braemuir, Auchnagatt, Ellon, lifted the top accolade with Braemuir Pandora, which is by Riverdale Noble and out of Braemuir Beyonce.
Prior to lifting the Keith title, she stood reserve interbreed champion at New Deer, champion at Echt, and part of the interbreed group that won Echt and New Deer.
The reserve interbreed title, as judged by all the sheep section judges using a points system, went to the leader from the Border and Bluefaced Leicester section.
The two-shear Bluefaced Leicester tup, which is by a Cottage sire, was put forward by James Hunter, of Wedderburn, Huntly.
He was bought at Kelso last year for £3,000 and stood first at New Deer last month.
In the cattle lines the beef interbreed champion went to a Limousin cow from Stirling-shire breeders Dougie McBeath and Sarah Jane Jessop.
The couple took the award with three-year-old Poolehall Iris, which is by Haltcliffe Ben and out of Wilodge Flawless.
No stranger to success, Iris stood champion of champions at Ayr, beef interbreed champion at Perth, and reserve champion at the Highland and Great Yorkshire Shows.
Standing reserve to the Limmy was the Charolais champion from father and son duo John and Raymond Irvine, of Inverlochy, Tomintoul.
December 2013-born bull Kilbline 1 Instigator was bought in Ireland last year for 7,000 euros.
By Oscar and out of Kilbline Ursula, he lifted the interbreed champion rosettes at the Turriff and Black Isle Shows last week. He also stood male champion and part of the champion interbreed pairs at the Highland Show in June.
Lastly in the horse section the supreme title went to the Clydesdale champion from Eric and Miranda Johnstone, of 50 Highfield Circle, Muir of Ord.
The couple won with home-bred yearling filly Ord Destiny, which is by Eskechraggan Ernest and out of Ord Envy.
Prior to her Keith Show success, she stood first at the Nairn and Black Isle Shows.
The reserve overall horse title went to the champion from the large Mountain and Moorland Ponies section. This was Kayleigh Evans, of Cottown Croft, Gight, Methlick, Ellon, with 2007-born Crossowen Jay, by C V Cashel.
RESULTS
CATTLE
Highland: Ian and Mary Adams, 24 Beech Tree Road, Banchory, with three-year-old heifer Frangag Dubh of Cladich which stood champion at New Deer, Echt and Banchory, and reserve at Perth on Saturday. She was bought in October 2013 and is by Seonaidh Mor of Ardura and out of Frangag Donn 10th of Torloisk. She stood overall champion at the East of Scotland Highland Cattle Club Show in Forfar.
Reserve – Veronica Thomson, Clackriach Cottage, Maud, with six-year-old cow Heather 8th of Tordarroch, by Craig of Tordarroch and out of Heather 11th of Innisard. She was bought as a four-year-old with a calf at foot and stood reserve at New Deer and Turriff.
Aberdeen-Angus: Graham Willox, of Meikle Pitinnan, Oldmeldrum, with five-year-old cow Mosston Muir Ingrid, which was bought in October last year at the Mosston Muir dispersal for 11,500gn. She is by Mosston Muir Elgin and was shown with her January-born bull calf Cardenwell Isaac. She stood champion at Echt, New Deer and Banchory, and reserve at Fettercairn.
Reserve – Mark Wattie, Mains of Tonley, Alford, with February-2015 born home-bred heifer Tonley Ester, by Blelack Evor. She stood reserve female at Echt and reserve champion at Turriff.
Beef Shorthorn: Glenrinnes Farms Ltd, Estate Office, Glenrinnes Lodge, Dufftown, with five-year-old bull Chapelton Ensign, by Cavans Yankee and out of Chapelton Sister. He stood champion at the Highland and Turriff.
Reserve – Alison Watt, Birkenburn Keith, with five-year-old Shorthorn cow Grandtullybrae Yantara Trixy The 4th, by Virginian of Upsall and out of Grandtullybrae Yantara Trixy. She was champion of the any other breed section at Banchory.
Charolais: John and Raymond Irvine, Inverlochy, Tomintoul, with December-2013 born bull Kilbline 1 Instigator, which was bought in Ireland last year for 7,000 euros. By Oscar and out of Kilbline Ursula, he was beef interbreed champion at Turriff and the Black Isle, and male Charolais champion and part of the champion interbreed pairs at the Highland Show in June.
Reserve – John and Raymond Irvine with home-bred six-year-old cow Ballindalloch Favour, by Lochend Apache and out of Ballindalloch Charmaine. She stood reserve champion at Nairn, Black Isle and the Highland.
Limousin: Dougie McBeath and Sarah Jane Jessop, Lower Greenyards Farm, Bannockburn, Stirling with three-year-old cow, Poolehall Iris by Haltcliffe Ben and out of Wilodge Flawless. She stood hampion of champions at Ayr, beef interbreed champion at Perth, and reserve champion at the Highland and Great Yorkshire Shows
Reserve – Mr & Mrs Stephen Irvine & Sons, Braehead, Drummuir, Keith, with March-2015 born home-bred bull Anside Lord, by Powerful Irish and out of Anside Hope. He was on his first outing.
Simmental: WJ & J Green, Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Moray, with January-2015 born home-bred bull Corskie Gingersnap, by the 45,000gn Bel Dhu Capercaillie and out of Corskie Winola. He stood champion of champions at Echt, breed champion at Nairn, New Deer and Turriff, and junior interbreed champion at the Highland Show.
Reserve – D & R Durno, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Banffshire, with two-year-old bull Team Fergus, by Boswell Cracker and out of Team Sequin 2nd. He was bought in Stirling last October for 9,000gn when he stood reserve senior champion. He was reserve male champion at the Highland.
British Blonde: Neil and Graeme Anderson, Beltie Cottage, Glassel, Banchory, with home-bred two-year-old bull Glassel Jasper, by Strathisla Glen and out of an Ardmore cow. He stood champion at Echt and Turriff, and reserve at Banchory.
Reserve – Alison Watt with May-2015 born bull Freefield Lewis, by Freefield Eric. He stood first at Echt, Banchory and Turriff.
British Blue: Sarah Balfour, Easter Fodderletter Farm, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch, with 26-month-old heifer Newroddige Jemima which is by Mountjoy Utopia and out of Tamhorn Foxtail Lily. She was bought from Messrs Mallaber in Carlisle last October when she stood female champion. She is one of the foundation cows for Ms Balfour’s new Blue herd which will carry the prefix Fodderletter. She stood champion at Echt and New Deer.
Reserve – Garry Patterson, Upper Forgie, Aultmore, Keith, with January-2015 born heifer Trencrom Kwality Street, by Boherard Lantona and out of Trencrom Ex Factor. She was bought at Carlisle in May for 3,500gn and stood reserve at Turriff last week.
Any other pure beef breed: Robert Marshall, Strathurr, Reclettich, Glenrinnes, Dufftown, with six-year-old Galloway cow Penninghame Susan, which is jointly owned with Messrs Finllay of Blackcraig. She holds the UK record for the highest priced Galloway female and was bought for 8,500gn at the Penninghame dispersal in November. She stood champion at the Black Isle.
Reserve – Robert Marshall with the champion’s heifer calf, by Kirkmabreck Upstart.
Cross cattle haltered: Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart, of Bogie Street, Huntly, with Limousin cross heifer You Beauty, by French sire, Bryan, and out of Smarty Pants. She was bred by Andrew Anderson, of Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Elgin and bought at the Thainstone Spectacular. She stood champion of champions at Fettercairn, and cross cattle champion at Echt and New Deer.
Reserve – Mark Robertson, Easter Fodderletter Farms, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch, with 15-month-old Limousin cross heifer Nic Nak, which was bred by Simon Stephen of Meikle Geddes, Nairn, and bought at the young farmers’ show and sale at Thainstone from Ally Fraser for £1,400. She stood champion of champions at Banchory and reserve champion at Echt.
Carcase cattle on the hoof: Bill Cameron, Burnside, Edingight, Grange, Keith, with a bullock. Reserve – Bill Cameron with a heifer.
Young handlers: Aged 12 and under – Rachel Davidson, 12; aged 13 and 14 – Nicola Howie, 14; aged 15 and 16 – Graeme Rhind, 15.
SHEEP
Blackface: Lewis Smith, Towiemore Farm, Drummuir, Keith, with a gimmer bought in Lanark for £1,500 from Auldhouseburn. She is by a £90,000 Blackhouse and out of a Bolt ewe.
Reserve – Glenrinnes Farms Ltd with a ewe lamb.
Border and Bluefaced Leicester: James Hunter, Wedderburn, Huntly, with a two-shear Bluefaced Leicester tup by a Cottage sire. He was bought at Kelso last year for £3,000 and stood first at New Deer.
Reserve – Carolyn Milne, Kennieshillock Farm, Lhanbryde, with a home-bred Bluefaced Leicester gimmer called Hermione. She was by a Firth sire and out of a home-bred ewe. She stood second at New Deer.
Suffolk: Robbie Innes, Crossburn, Newmill, Keith, with a home-bred gimmer which stood first at Keith as a ewe lamb last year.
Reserve – Craig Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder, with a home-bred tup lamb by Muirton One Direction and out of a Deveronside ewe. He was first at New Deer.
Texel: Michael Leggat, Cairnton, Forgue, Huntly, with a home-bred gimmer by Aman Vyrnwy and out of Strathbogie Terminator. She was second at Turriff.
Reserve – Michael Leggat with a home-bred ewe lamb by Millars Windbrook and out of a ewe by Knock Powerpacker. She was third at Turriff.
Charollais: Eilidh and Erin Duncan, Braemuir, Auchnagatt, Ellon, with a home-bred gimmer called Braemuir Pandora, by Riverdale Noble and out of the Cannahars sired Braemuir Beyonce. She was reserve interbreed at New Deer, champion at Echt and part of the interbreed group that won Echt and New Deer.
Reserve – Eilidh and Erin Duncan with shearling tup Foulrice Premier, by Dalby Mount Aloe and out of a Foulrice ewe. He was bought at Kelso last year and stood second at the Highland, reserve champion at New Deer and Echt, and first at Turriff.
Beltex: Ross and Kirsty Williams, Upper Tullochbeg Farm, Huntly, with home-bred gimmer Blackjack Atomic Kitten, by Sugar Daddy and out of a Belgian imported ewe. She is a full sister to the shearling tup which stood champion at the Black Isle last week.
Reserve – Ross and Kirsty Williams, with home-bred shearling tup Blackjack A Muscle Man, by Sugar Daddy and out of Callacrag Paris. He was second at New Deer and is a full sister to the champion at New Deer.
Jacob: Adam Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly, with a ram lamb called Adamski Drifter, by Blackbrooke Dragon and out of an Edingale ewe. He was reserve champion at Fettercairn and the Black Isle and first in his class at Angus.
Reserve – Jennifer Milton, Newton of Auchindachy, Drummuir, Keith, with home-bred two-crop ewe Cairdswood Kara, by Burnside Evril and out of a Greenlands ewe. She is rearing triplets for the second year in a row and stood first at the Black Isle.
Zwartbles: Samantha Stewart, Buttery Brae, Drummuir, Keith, with home-bred tup lamb Janetstown Deveron, by Aquila Action Man and out of Cynefin Beltana. He was second at New Deer.
Reserve – Faye Wilkie, Whitestone, Skene, Westhill, Aberdeenshire, with two-shear tup Speyside Buzz, which was bred by Brenda Scott and bought in March last year for £400. He is by Cynefin Teifi and stood reserve at Echt.
Any other pure breed: W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, Insch, with a one-crop Blue Texel ewe, bought from David Alexander at Millside in August last year. She is by a Beiliblues sire and out of a Millside ewe. She was first at Banchory.
Reserve – W J & M Hunter with a home-bred Blue Texel ewe lamb by Jonsland Wifi and out of a Turbo import. She was champion at Banchory.
Rare and minority breed (primitive and northern shortail): Suzanne Warren, Little Blairshinnoch, Banff, with a Hebridean shearling tup bought at Thainstone as a lamb at foot. He stood second at Turriff.
Reserve – Ian and Patricia Stewart, Burnfield Farm, Rothiemay, by Huntly, with a two-crop Boreray ewe.
Rare and minority breed (rare, hill and upland): Neil and Zoe Robson, Loanhead Croft, Cairnie, Huntly, with a home-bred Black Welsh Mountain gimmer.
Reserve – Ian and Patricia Stewart, with a home-bred Herdwick shearling tup on his first outing.
Half bred and crosses: Glenrinnes Farms Ltd with a pen for three Mule ewe lambs.
Reserve – Duncan and Connor Milne, Newtack, Keith, with a pen of three Texel cross gimmers.
Carcase sheep on the hoof: H & A Christie, Midtown of Glass, Huntly, with a pen of three lambs.
Reserve – H & A Christie with a pen of three lambs.
Young handlers: aged 14 to 16 – Erin Duncan, 14; aged 10 to 13 – Faye Wilkie, 12; aged 9 and under – Connor Milne, 5.
NATIVE HORSES
Clydesdale: Eric and Miranda Johnstone, 50 Highfield Circle, Muir of Ord, with home-bred yearling filly Ord Destiny, by Eskechraggan Ernest and out of Ord Envy. She was first at Nairn and the Black Isle.
Reserve – Ian Young, Wellheads, Clochan, by Buckie, with home-bred 11-year-old mare Arradoul Symphony, by Collessie Whinhill President and out of Arradoul Bryony. She was first at Turriff last week and previously stood champion at Turriff and Keith.
Highland: Susanne Shepherd, East Brachmont, Durris, Banchory, with nine-year-old gelding West Lodge Alexander, by McLeod of Inverdarroch and out of West Lodge Amy.
Reserve – Rob and Karen Stewart, Stables Brae, Durris, Banchory, with six-year-old yeld mare West Lodge Catriona, by Coulnacraig Highlander and out Denmill Catriona.
Shetland standard: Chrstine Forbes, 1 Dullanbank, Kirkton, Dufftown, Keith, with seven-year-old mare Merikisayre Dally, by Kanteborgs Seagrams and out of Dryfesdale Dior.
Reserve – Lynne Whyte, Little Woodend, Drummuir, Keith, with yearling filly Littlewoodend Daisy, by Arnum of Auckhorn and out of Struie Poppy.
Shetland miniature: Christine Forbes with nine-year-old stallion Lynemore Dandy, by Strathlene Harvey and out of Tullich Mandy.
Reserve – Reece MacLeod, Lochfleet, Dornoch, Sutherland, with yearling filly Tillyhorn Zaidee, by Hartside Tarragon and out of Hazelhead Noel.