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agricultural shows 2007 |
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shows / shows 2007 / royal highlandROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW 2007GRAHAMS BUTTERFLY ‘FLOATS’ TO THE LIMOUSIN CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW Grahams Herd dominates the prizes – Youth had its day at the 2007 Royal Highland in the shape of the maiden heifer Grahams Butterfly who took the Limousin breed’s Overall Supreme Championship and in doing so capped a magnificent day for breeders and owners Mr & Mrs R & J Graham, Airthrey Kerse Farm, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire.
From an outstanding team presented, the Grahams Herd enjoyed an incredible show in winning both Champion and Reserve in the Limousin section before providing two animals in the winning Interbeed Team of Four and then securing the Overall Reserve Interbreed title. The interbreed successes also ensured that it was another memorable show for the Limousin breed who were once again the largest represented breed section.
In what was another little piece of show and breed history the commercial champion, Fancy This, a 16-month-old 3/4 bred Limousin cross heifer shown by James and Audrey Forsyth, of Mid Bishopton, Whithorn, Newton Stewart, took the show's supreme cattle award, the first time this has happened in 167 years. The young heifers kicked off the Limousin judging on Thursday afternoon in front of well known Northern Irish judge Jim Quail a breeder and butcher from Northwood, Tullyear, Banbridge. From the second class of the day emerged Grahams Butterfly, a January 2006 born heifer sired by Samy and out of Grahams Trendy, a rising five-year-old cow by Grahams Poncho. After securing the Junior Female Championship, Butterfly then moved on to secure the Overall Female Championship. In one of those quirks of show fate the Overall Supreme Championship was decided in a judge off between Grahams Butterfly and her dad Samy the prolific, multi title winning October 2001 born senior bull and the day’s male champion. As the crowd hushed in anticipation, the judge gave the nod to the young heifer over the two time Royal Highland Limousin Champion. Throughout the day the classes had been very competitive with the stronger end of the bull classes being a particular feature. Naturally, Mr. Quail was delighted with his young champion. “I like young cattle and this heifer caught my eye right away”, he said. “She is extremely sweet, feminine, very natural and is just full of potential.” This was Mr. Quail’s third ‘Royal’ as judge having previously been the man in the middle at both the Royal Ulster and The Royal at Stoneleigh. The successes in the Interbreed sections later in the show underpinned what he described as the “great honour of judging the Limousin classes at the Royal Highland.” For the Limousin team of four, the judge had selected the father and daughter combination of Samy and Grahams Butterfly. Accompanying them were the Best Limousin Cow in Show, the four-year-old Newstart Upsydaisy from Mr D. & Mrs M. Cormack, Abbots Close Farm, Sutton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire; and Keirsbeath Atlantis, the two-year-old heifer and Reserve Female Champion from David Orr, Keirsbeath Farm Ltd, Mains of Beath, Crossgates, Fife. The heady combination of class, style and balance outshone the opposition and the torrential rain and saw the Limousin team secure the award in front of the Interbreed Masterjudge, Alan Fotheringham, Craighall Farm, Forgandenny, Perth. This is the third year in a row the breed has won the Interbreed Team title. After a slight delay in which exhibitors, judge and animals dried out, Butterfly was back in the Overall Individual Interbreed where she secured the Overall Reserve position to Fancy This the champion from the Commercial Section. Judge Alan Fotheringham, said his champion and reserve were two "super beasts", but his supreme was outstanding, adding: "The champion is perfection on four legs." Victory also secured the prestigious Queen's Cup, the trophy rotated annually between the show's different livestock sections. This ¾ bred Limousin cross heifer, by the Marron son Bailea Oberon, was bred by Andrew Anderson at Smallburn Farms, Rothes. The Forsyths bought her for £1,800 from Neil Dow, of Plewlands Farm, Duffus, Elgin, at the North Region Young Farmer overwintered cattle sale at Inverurie's Thainstone Centre. For the show record, Grahams Butterfly secured the Junior Female Championship, Overall Female Championship, Overall Junior Championship, Overall Supreme Champion, Reserve Overall Interbreed, was a member of the winning Interbreed Team, Best Animal Bred by Exhibitor and was part of the Grahams winning Limousin Group of Three. Not bad for three day’s work!
Keirsbeath Atlantis, from David Orr, won the fourth class of females before moving on to secure the Overall Female Reserve Championship and play her part in the winning Interbreed Team. Born in April 2005, this heifer is by the Jockey son Dyfri Target and is out of the Bailea Nelso sired dam Rhynd Smurf. The Best Cow and winner of the Macgas Trophy was the imposing Newstart Upsydaisy from David and Mary Cormack. Again another member of the Interbreed Team, the homebred Upsydaisy is by the noted Ronick Iceman and is out of Rivermead Rosebud. The Reserve Cow was Ronick Victorian from R Dick, Mains of Throsk, Stirling. This homebred animal is by the Marron sire Bailea Olympia and is out of Ronick Helma. Standing Reserve Junior Female to the eventual Overall Champion was another heifer featuring Grahams breeding. Grahams Bella bought as a calf at foot at the Grahams Production sale in Carlisle was exhibited by Mr. Andrew Ewing, Dumbretton Farms, Annan, Dumfries. This smart April 2006 heifer is sired by the French bull Rodeo and is out of the Grahams Poncho sired Grahams Ulreka.
Samy, the rising six-year-old French bull, bred by Msr. Lagautriere, sired by Loriot out of Nova, added to his illustrious record by being the sire of the Champion, the Reserve Overall, Male Champion, a member of the winning Interbreed Team, and part of the winning Group of Three. A senior bull class featuring four cracking bulls saw Samy emerge over Sauvignon presented by Crawford Brothers, Rathkeeland, Maguiresbridge. In the Male Championship judge off another super line up saw Samy prevail over the Junior Male Champion, Tomschoice Braveheart from Messrs JM & SP Cooper, Hill Top Farm, Lane Foot Road, Dacre, Harrogate and Wilodge Vantastic, from Smiths of Bloxham, Newlands Farm, Bloxham, Banbury, Oxfordshire.
Tomschoice Braveheart is by the Ronick Idol son Ronick Member. A January 2006 born calf he is out of the Normande Judge sired Tomschoice Universal. Standing Reserve Junior Male Champion was Bremore Artist, a Southern Irish bred bull exhibited jointly by Dumfries based breeders S&H Illingworth along with D&R Cornthwaite. This December 2005 born calf bred by noted Irish breeder Bobby Jones is by Nenuphar and is out of the French cow Samba.
Limousins also secured a Championship one-two in the Commercial Section. Standing Overall Reserve to the eventual Queen’s Cup winner was Monty, the Steer Champion from D Lumgair, East Idvies Farm, Anus, By Forfar. This April 2006 calf was bred by W Richardson & Son, Ghyll House, Dufton, Appelby and was sired by Rossignol. The Royal Highland Show 2007 was once again a true showcase of the attributes of Limousin cattle and a further realization of their quality in depth, consistency and commercial relevance within the UK’s beef industry. INDIVIDUAL SHOW RESULTS Class 280 Bull on or between 01.07.04 – 30.06.05 Class 281 Bull born before 1st July 2004 Best Junior Bull: Tomschoice
Braveheart Best Animal: Grahams Butterfly INTERBREED CHAMPIONSHIPS INDIVIDUAL |
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