Grahams Ruth, a Limousin cow from Robert and Jean Graham, Airthrey Kerse, was back in fine form to reclaim the overall champion of champions for a second consecutive year at a dry, albeit a tad wet underfoot Drymen Show.
While exhibitors and spectators enjoyed a warm, mostly cloudy day, torrential rain in the run-up to the big event meant some of the horse lorries had to be towed in and out of the field. However, it didn’t deter from the quality or quantity of stock on parade, or the number of show enthusiasts who paid to get through the gates.
Raymond Irvine took top ticket in the Valais Blacknose section Ref:RH250524076 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Champion of champions judge Jim Braes, Bordie Farm, Kincardine, had to select an overall winner from the lead beef, dairy, sheep, Clydesdale horse and Highland pony winners, and was most impressed by his choice of supreme.
“She’s an outstanding cow,” he said. “Most breeders would be highly delighted if they had an animal of that quality. Not only is she an amazing, correct cow, but her calf is also outstanding.”
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Zwartbles champion from Ally Baird Ref:RH250524070 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Mr Braes was also extremely taken by the standard of showmanship in the beef cattle young handlers competition, in which he selected the top winners. “It was wonderful to see the young handlers all so well dressed and presented. The under 10s winner, Esme Doherty, was fantastic and the Highland calf she was exhibiting was so well behaved,” he said.
Star attraction once again was the Grahams’ massive Limousin show cow, a daughter of Claragh Franco, brought out by Stewart and Lynsey Bett. She was paraded with November-born bull calf at foot and was taking her second supreme overall of 2024 having scooped the same honours at Ayr.
Inter-breed sheep was the Suffolk from John Christie Ref:RH250524091 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Last year’s massive haul saw her land the inter-breed beef trophy at the Royal Highland and the Royal Welsh to name but a few. Ruth also teamed up with the reserve Limousin, Garrowby Tarzan to win the inter-breed pairs, also selected by Mr Braes, and ahead of his reserve choice of supreme beef in the individual and pairings – Charolais from Andrew Hornell, Falleninch, Stirling.
Mr Hornell’s reserve beef was the 22-month-old heifer Falleninch Tiziana, a daughter of the French-bred sire Falleninch Memo, brought out by Stephen Taylor.
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Champion Texel from John MacGregor Ref:RH250524073 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Inter-breed sheep judge Duncan Beaton, Newmill, Memus, Forfar, also had a big task but eventually plumped for the champion Suffolk from John Christie, Westcarse, as his supreme over the lead Texel from John and Archie MacGregor, Allanfauld.
“It was a harder job than I thought it would be, but the Suffolk is a good, big clean animal and is the most correct point for point while the Texel has got the length and meat in all the right places to be a great terminal sire.”
Mule champion from Jamie Pirie Ref:RH250524079 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Leading this strong section was a previously unshown two-crop ewe from Mr Christie’s 50-ewe flock. She is by Ballyboe Boe, a tup that also produced the Westcarse-bred National champion at Ayr Show for David McMillan, Bute.
Just pipped at the post was a jointly-owned Knap-bred Texel shearling from the Allanfauld and Ettrick flocks. It was bought last year for 8000gns at Worcester and is sired by Haddo Falcon.
Jim and Catherine McKechnie took the top ticket in the Highland cattle section Ref:RH250524085 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
A smaller show of dairy cattle was topped by an in-calf Jersey heifer from Leanne Bertram – herd manager for Robert Graham’s Grahams herd from Boquhan, Stirling. Clydevalley Victoria Circus was bred by Robert Hunter and was bought privately last year.
Also out for the supreme overall was the champion Clydesdale, Shielhill Platinum Queen, a two-year-old filly by Macfin Flight from Robert Sibbald, Thorn, Dollar and the lead Highland pony, Finches Victory, a four-year-old cream dun stallion from Suzanne Potter, Dalrymple.
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The Harvey topped the Hereford section Ref:RH250524068 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Leading Awards
Dairy cattle (Judge: R Johnston, North Medrox, Cumbernauld). Champion – Leanne Bertram, Mains of Boquhan, with the in-calf Jersey heifer, Clydevalley Victoria Circus, bought privately from Robert Hunter. This October 2022-born entry is by Victorious and bred from Mr Hunter’s Circus family. First at Dumfries Show as a calf, she was paraded due to Ferdinand. In-calf heifer – Leanne Bertram. Calf – Katie Bertram.
Dairy young handlers – 1, Katie Bertram; 2, Georgie Bertram; 3, George Steel.
Aberdeen Angus (Judge: Liz Vance, Bridgehouse, Whithorn). Champion and reserve – J Ralston, Torrance. Supreme was the 13-month-old bull, Bankeir Whooper, a son of Retties Field Marshall, bred from Bankier Wendy, with the reserve being the similarly aged bull, Bankier Blackjack, also by Field Marshall, but out of Bankier Blackbird – one of 60 cows in the herd.
Robert Bryce's commercial sheep champion Ref:RH250524074 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Highland (Judge: S McKay, Duiletter, Glenstrae, Dalmally). Champion – J and C McKechnie, France Farm, Gartocharn, with Flora of Gartocharn, a two-year-old heifer by the stock bull, Brodie of Culfoich, out of Esmi of Gartocharn. Reserve – A MacGillivray, Highland Cattle Services, Benderloch, Oban, with the three-year-old heifer, Claggorm 62 of Glengarnock purchased at Oban in February for 8000gns from Andrew Kirkpatrick. She is sired by Ian Ruadh of Glenkinglass. Cow – E MacGillivray. Three-year-old heifer, junior bull – A MacGillivray. Calf – Esmi and Conni Docherty. Two-year-old heifer, pair – J and C McKechnie. Yearling heifer – T Sloan. Senior bull – D and C Logan.
Hereford (Judge: Liz Vance). Champion – G and S Harvey, Harveybros, Balfron, with Harveybros 1 I’m A Ladies Man, a yearling son of Goulding Poll Stockman out of Harveybros Crocus N1 which is from the same family as the top selling Womaniser and Tequila Rose. Reserve – D Holmes, Back O Hill, Torrance, exhibiting at their first show with Laxfield Clara 34, a three-year-old heifer with month-old heifer calf at foot. Clara is one of six Hereford females bought in September privately from the Laxfield herd and is sired by the Laxfield Jordan son, Laxfield Jubilee, out of previous home-bred Clara. First outing. Cow, calf – D Holmes. Bull – G and S Harvey.
Clydesdale champion from Robert Sibbald Ref:RH250524072 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Limousin (Judge: A Vance, Bridgehouse, Whithorn). Champion, inter-breed beef and overall champion of champions and reserve – R and J Graham, Bridge of Allan, with the January 2020-born Grahams Ruth, a daughter of Claragh Franco, out of the French cow, Gigue. Brought out by herdsman, Stewart Bett and his wife Lynsey, she was paraded with November-born bull calf by Huntershall Gladiator and back in calf to the reserve champion, Garrowby Tarzan. Ruth was champion of champions here last year and at Gargunnock and Stirling, and also landed the inter-breed beef honours at the Royal Highland and Royal Welsh in 2023. This year, she was supreme overall at Ayr Show. Reserve was the 12,000gns purchase, Garrowby Tarzan, bought at Carlisle in October. Reserve at Ayr, this two-year-old is by Grahams Rooney and out of Gunnerfleet Nacian. Senior bull, junior bull, cow, yearling heifer, calf – R and J Graham. Two-year-old heifer – J Graham, Mains of Burnbank, Stirling.
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Charolais (Judge: A Vance). Champion – A Hornall, Falleninch, Stirling, with the 22-month-old heifer, Falleninch Tiziana, a daughter of the French-bred sire, Falleninch Memo, bred from Falleninch Lottie, a former junior champion at the Royal Highland in 2016. Reserve inter-breed senior champion at the Stars of the Future and a member of the winning pairs for the Joe Watson Memorial Trophy. Reserve – T Gatherer, Barnsford, Bishopton, with the second prize winner to the champion, Barnsford Tinula, a 19-month-old heifer by Harestone Hercules and out of Barnsford Inula. First outing. Bull, heifer – A Hornall.
Jamie Pirie's Blue Faced Leicester champion Ref:RH250524078 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Simmental (Judge: A Vance). Champion and reserve – J Shaw, Lochfer, Inverdunning. Supreme was the 15-month-old bull, Inverdunning Parker, a son of the stockbull Islavale Lord, out of Scotland Hill Hermione Keira. Reserve for the 25-cow breeding herd was Inverdunning Prince, a yearling son of the same bull out of Denizes Nelly 8. Both were on their first outing. Only two entries.
Any other continental (Judge: A Vance). Champion and reserve – Jean Mackay, Auchenairney, Kirkmichael, Ayr, with the two-year-old ET-bred heifers, Harelaw Sarah and Harelaw Stella ET, respectively. They are the result of a flush from the top breeding cow, Woodend Leona and sired by Toscan Vd Ijzer. Placed at Stars of the Future in November. Calf – Messrs McKenzie, Ardgate. Heifer – J Mackay
Alexander Crombie topped the Blue Texels Ref:RH250524080 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer..
Commercial cattle (Judge: A Vance). Champion – S and L Bett, Stirling, with Electra, the section champion at Ayr Show and reserve champion at the National Calf Show at Beef Expo, J36. Bred by Balfour Baillie and bought at the Thainstone Spectacular for £5000, this 13-month-old Ronick Red Hot-sired heifer also stood champion calf at Livescot in November. Reserve – A Dunn, Redhall, Gargunnock, with the previously unshown home-bred yearling steer, Too Close for Comfort, a Limousin cross sired by a bull bought from Brian Harper. Continental steer, bred – A Dunn. Continental heifer – S and L Bett.
Beef young handlers (Judge: J Braes, Bordie, Kincardine). Aged 10years and under – 1, Esme Doherty; 2, James Bilsland; 3, Lucy McLean. 11-16years – 1, Fletcher Russell; 2, Andrew Dunn; 3, Sophie Bilsland.
Esmi Doherty won the under 10 section in the beef young handlers Ref:RH250524081 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Clydesdales (Judge: Louise Greenhill, Upper Tulloes, Letham). Champion – R Sibbald, Thorn Farm, Dollar, with the two-year-old filly, Shielhill Platinum, a daughter of Macfin Starlight, bred from the 2015 Stallion Show champion and reserve champion at the Highland, Shielhill Diamond Jubilee. Champion at Braco and reserve at Perth and Kinross 2023. Reserve – M Carrick, Littleward, Thornhill, Stirling, with the Ayr Show champion, Littleward Katy, a home-bred two-year-old filly by Collessie Monarch. Champion at Gargunnock and reserve at Ayr, Dunblane and Drymen in 2023. Senior gelding – J McMillan, Bute. Yeld mare – J Patterson. Two-year-old filly, bred – R Sibbald. Two-year-old – R Melvin. Yearling colt/gelding – A McLean. Yearling filly – S Millar. Turnout – Single and champion turnout – J McMillan. Twin and reserve turnout – C Westall.
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Highland ponies (Judge: Jean Ralston, Moss-Side, Methven, Perth). Champion – Suzanne Potter, Dalrymple, with the four-year-old stallion, Finches Victory, bred by Frances Williamson and bought six months previous. First at Scottish Friends Show, he is by Balmoral Bandarin and out of Finches Flute. Reserve – Judith Strange and daughter Fiona Robertson, Stirling, with Mogador April Fools, a four-year-old mare by Trowan Miracle out of Moss-side Yakeira Lady. First outing as a mature pony, but last year she won the NPS Blair final M and M youngstock final and the NPS Scottish Pony of the Year (SPOTY) in hand. Stallion – Suzanne Potter. Yeld mare – Judith Strange. Senior gelding, under saddle – J and J Bonar and Mirren Hay. Three-year-old – CMcKinnon. Two-year-old – Emma Hamilton.
The Henderson's AOB continental sheep champion Ref:RH250524092 Rob Haining / The Scottish Farmer...
Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: G Thornborrow, Easter Dawyck, Stobo, Peebles). Champion – J Pirie, Blarnavaid, Drymen, with a previously unshown ewe hogg by the £40,000 R1 Hewgill, out of a ewe by the N1 £19,000 Temain. Reserve – A MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, with a March-born tup lamb by the M1 Riddings, out of a ewe by the K1 Carryhouse. Ewe, ewe hogg, ewe lamb, group of three – J Pirie. Tup lamb – A MacGregor.
Scotch Mule (Judge: G Thornborrow). Champion – J Pirie, Blarnavaid with a previously unshown March-born ewe lamb by a home-bred shearling by the M1 Marriforth that is bound for the Kelso Ram Sales. The dam is home-bred. Reserve – A MacGregor, Allanfauld, with a one-crop home-bred ewe by an Allanfauld sire. Single ewe lamb, pen of three ewe hoggs – J Pirie. Pair of Mule ewe lambs – Lord Graham. Single ewe hogg – M Smyth. Ewe – A MacGregor.
Pearse McNickle won the junior sheep young handlers
Suffolk (Judge: R Henderson, North Inchmichael, Errol, Perth). Champion and inter-breed sheep – J Christie, Westcarse, Stirling, with a previously unshown home-bred two-crop ewe by Ballyboe Boe, out of a ewe by a Drimmie sire. Reserve – R Bryce, Chalmerston, with a January-born ewe lamb by a Sitlow tup bought at Kelso. First outing. Tup, tup lamb, ewe lamb – R Bryce. Ewe, gimmer, group of three – J Christie.
Blackface (Judge: S McDougall, Blairadam, Kelty). Champion – J and J Jackson, Pole, Lochgoilhead, with Miss Google, a three-crop ewe by the Guiser, an Auldhouseburn sire bought privately and out of a ewe by a £5000 Crossflatt. She is a former champion at Cowal Show and took the same award at Dalmally, last year. Reserve – JW Bennie, Merkins, Gartocharn, with a home-bred shearling ram by a £70,000 Dalchirla shearling bought at Dalmally, out of a ewe by a £1900 Gass. First outing. Aged ram, shearling ram, tup hogg, ewe hogg, group of three, fleece – JW Bennie. Ewe, gimmer – J and J Jackson. Tup lamb, ewe lamb – J and L McNickle, Gartincaber, Gartocharn.
Shetland sheep (Judge: Jennifer Hunter, Higginson Mill, Denton Mill Close, Carlisle). Champion and reserve – J, C and R Steven, Rosebank, Currie with a home-bred white gimmer and ewe, respectively. Champion was Rosebank Xamphire, a daughter of Woolpack Ultra, out of Rosebank Sinthia. Champion at Fife Show. Reserve was Orchid of co*ckairney, a three-crop ewe bred by Archie and Fiona Hipwell and bought at Lanark. Previously unshown she is by Galtress Zurbaran and out of Greenacre Pixie. White ram, coloured ram, white shearling ram, white ewe, gimmer, tup lamb, ewe lamb, group of three, fleece – J, C and R Steven. Coloured shearling – Morven MacFarlane. Coloured ewe – M Steel.
Texel (Judge: Claire Scott, Dunmhor House, Abernethy). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – A MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, with a shearling ram bought last year at Worcester for 8000gns from Robert co*ckburn, Knap, in partnership with the Ettrick flock. He is by Haddo Falcon and out of the National champion, Daisy Duke. First outing. Reserve – Sheena and Brooke Woodrow, Islay, with the champion winner from Ayr and reserve female from the Royal Highland in 2023, a two-crop Allanfauld-bred ewe bought at Lanark. She is by Claybury Dunkirk, and last year also picked up a further five breed championships for the 15-strong Newmains flock. Aged ram, tup lamb – JW Bennie. Shearing ram, ewe lamb, group of three – A MacGregor. Ewe – Sheena and Brooke Woodrow. Gimmer – J Christie, Westcarse.
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Blue Texel (Judge: Claire Scott). Champion – A Crombie, Southfield, Falkirk, with a mid-January-born tup lamb by a Strawfrank sire and out of a Millside-bred ewe. First outing. Reserve – Morgan Kay, Castlemill, Castlecary Mill Farm, Bonnybridge, with the ewe lamb Castlemill Jazzy Rose, bred from Shamrock Dalia – one of four foundation females bought privately four years ago from the Shamrock flock – and sired by Derg Fireball. First outing. Tup, gimmer – Sophie Harvey, Balfron. Tup lamb – A Crombie. Ewe lamb – M Kay.
Any other continental (Judge: Claire Scott). Champion and reserve – NR and S Henderson, Touch, Stirling, with Charollais sheep. Supreme was an early December-born ET ram lamb by Loanhead Ambassador and bred from Oakchurch Applejack. Reserve was a Loanhead-bred gimmer bought at an online sale in November from the Ingram brothers. She is by Logie Durno Allstar and out of a Loanhead-bred ewe. All classes – NR and S Henderson.
Any other native (Judge: R Henderson, North Inchmichael). Champion – Janice Milne, Thornhill, Stirling, with a home-bred three-shear white Ryeland ram, by Redsewell Zuperman and out of a Wellside-bred ewe. First outing. Reserve – D Young with a North Country Cheviot gimmer. Tup, ewe lamb, tup lamb – J Milne. Ewe, group of three – McCaig Farms. Gimmer – D Young.
Commercial sheep (Judge: B McSporran, Eilean Farm, Innerleithen, Peebles). Champion – R Bryce, Chalmerston, with a home-bred three-quarter Suffolk cross Beltex gimmer by the same Sitlow ram that sired the reserve Suffolk. First outing. Reserve – J Graham and M Orr, Mains of Burnbank, Blair Drummond, with a previously unshown Beltex cross Texel ewe bred by Robert Bryce shown with three-quarter-bred Beltex lambs at foot by a 2200gns Mortons sire. Prime lambs – R Steel and Sons. Gimmer, ewe with single lamb – R Bryce. Single lamb – J MacDougall. Ewe with twin lambs, ewe – J Graham and M Orr.
Zwartbles (Judge: Wendy Anderson, Cairnhill, Farr). Champion and reserve – A Baird, Greystone, Dunblane with a gimmer and ewe lamb respectively. The champion, Greystone Laurel is by the retained ram, Greystone Hero, a son of Pistyll Firecracker, and out of the former show ewe, Greystone Finesse. She was first at the National and was unbeaten in her class last year. Reserve was Greystone Mary, a previously unshown ewe lamb also by Hero, but bred from the Carlisle purchase, Smiddyhill Karma. Aged ram – B Gibson. Ewe, gimmer, ewe lamb, group of three – A Baird. Ram lamb – N Henderson.
Valais Blacknose (Judge: Emma Glacken, Kirkmichael, West Lothian). Champion – R Irvine, Inverlochy, Tomintoul, with Highland Kili, an end of November-born tup lamb by Highland Hero, a tup that originally sold online for 6800gns and was later bought back, out of Highland Grace. First outing. Reserve – R and K Taylor, Whiterigg, Falkirk, with Whiterigg Koko Chanel, a home-bred gimmer by the privately purchased Moorahill Indy 500 out of Bridgehaugh Mill Faith, the foundation female. Champion at Ayr Show on her sole previous outing. Tup, tup lamb – R Irvine. Ewe – R McLean. Gimmer – R and K Taylor. Ewe lamb – C Losty.
Sheep young handlers (Judge: D Beaton, Newmill). 10years and under – 1, Pearse McNickle; 2, Matthew MacGregor; 3, Amber Dunn. 11-16 years – 1, Brook Lindsay; 2, Cameron Barclay; 3, Alisha Dougan.
Walking sticks (Judge: J Mahon, Ayrshire). Champion – A Dent, Doune. Reserve – R Russell. Plain horn walking stick, plain wood walking stick, thumb stick, leg cleek, any other stick – A Dent. Fancy horn walking stick – S Docharty. Fancy wood walking stick, novice – R Russell. One piece – J Fraser.
