Royal Highland

Leading the way at the Royal Highland was Blackbrook Heathermaid Rosa from Andrew Thornber.

Rosa blooms at Royal Highland

JUDGE

James Playfair-Hannay Kelso, Roxburghshire It was an honour and a privilege to be able to accept the appointment as judge of the Beef Shorthorn cattle at the Royal Highland Show, particularly as it was the Bicentenary of both Coates Herd Book and the

Royal Highland Show. A very special occasion.

Following two years of inactivity within showrings for exhibitors it was great to be back in the ring. It was also pleasing to see so many young and new exhibitors out with cattle in the section.

The Beef Shorthorn Cattle Society promotes itself as breeders of functional suckler cows. Calving more than 400 cows in our family business it is imperative that our cows fulfil that mantra.

In keeping with this, I selected my prize winners with a heavy emphasis on their structure and locomotion, mammary and fertility traits along with breed character and style. The female classes, particularly the heifer classes, were exceptionally strong and give a tremendous foundation for the future of the breed. However, I feel that some of the animals paraded in front of me will grow into huge, high maintenance cattle.

The bull classes were not as consistent, demonstrating some of the huge strides and changes the breed has made since the dark days of near extinction. Again, I feel that the breed has a maternal role rather than a terminal one.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the day was that there were options to be taken. My champion and reserve were outstanding animals that ticked every box on my desired list. I look forward to seeing them again and watching how they develop in future.

Congratulations to all the exhibitors for their hard work in making my day so enjoyable. Thank you very much.

Results

Class one - Female born on or after 1st April 2021 1st Meonside Catriona Rosebud Ray D and T Bradley Farmer 2nd Blackbrook Lovely Rita Andrew Thornber 3rd Meonside Rothes Rebel D and T Bradley Farmer 4th Meonside Grace Beauty Regan D and T Bradley Farmer 5th Jodame Cara Rio Joanne Souter 6th Runleymill Roxburgh Lassruthie John Wilson

Class two – Female born after 1st January and on or before 31st March 2021 1st Blackbrook Heathermaid Rosa Andrew Thornber 2nd Millerston Irania Rainbow Mary Cormack 3rd Highlee Duchess Ria M and T Severn 4th Runleymill Roxburgh Lass Rosa John Wilson 5th Langhams Phantasy Reeva A and C Farms 6th Beautry Shuna Rhubarb Stuart Currie

Class three – Female born in 2020 1st Lowther Lily W10

Mary Cormack 2nd Redstone Crocus Charlie Fletcher 3rd Charlesbury Highland Duchess Charlesbury Livestock 4th Balnabroich Pandora Balnabroich Farm 5th Cairnsmore Patricia Brenda Wear 6th Dunsyre Iona 38th Carey Coombs

Class four - Female in Milk or in Calf, born on or before 31st December 2019 1st Podehole Irene Mimosa Harry Horrell 2nd Beautry Shuna Myrtle Stuart Currie 3rd 3rd Jodame Kiki Dee Joanne Souter 4th Dunsyre Magic 24th Carey Coombs 5th Headlind Rosette Nelly T Allan Jackson 6th Glenisla Foxglove Flake N466 (P) Major J P O Gibb & Miss C Gibb

Class five – Bull, born on or after 1st April 2021 1st Duncanziemere Rob Roy R445 Alistair Clark & Sons 2nd Trainview Tam Trainview Livestock 3rd Charlesbury Croaghpatrick Charlesbury Livestock 4th Redstone Romeo Charlie Fletcher 5th Coxhill Rio J and J Green 6th Glenisla Rioja Major J P O Gibb and Miss C Gibb

Class six - Bull, born after 1st January and on or before 31st March 2021 1st Headlind Rokaku T Allen Jackson 2nd Trainview Laird Trainview Livestock 3rd Roundhill Real Deal Stuart G Mair and Sons 4th Highlee Rafferty M and T Severn 5th Runleymill Reggie John Wilson 6th Balnabroich Rockefella Balnabroich Farm Class seven - Bull, born in 2020 1st Coxhill Panther 2nd Dunsyre Perth 3rd Heatherbell Pinocchio Farmstock Genetics Carey Coombs D and T Ballantyne

Class eight – Bull born on or before 31st December 2019 1st Vale Meadows Flossy’s Cavalier Trainview Livestock 2nd Coldrochie Leif M and T Severn 3rd Grovewood Jackson Robert Taylor 4th Podehall Lincoln Marshall G Bailey

Junior female champion Blackbrook Heathermaid Rosa, Andrew Thornber

Reserve junior female champion Millerston Irania Rainbow, Mary Cormack

Junior male champion Duncanziemere Rob Roy R445, Alistair Clark and Sons

Reserve junior male champion Headlind Rokaku, T Allen Jackson

Female champion Blackbrook Heathermaid Rosa, Andrew Thornber

Reserve female Champion Millerston Irania Rainbow, Mary Cormack

Male champion Vale Meadows Flossy’s Cabalier, Trainview Livestock

Reserve male champion Duncanziemere Rob Roy R445, Alistair Clark and Sons

Overall Champion Blackbrook Heathermaid Rosa, Andrew Thornber

Reserve Champion Millerston Irania Rainbow, Mary Cormack

Breeder of best bull Vale Meadows Flossy’s Cavalier, bred by Martin Reynolds

Best bull bred by exhibitor Duncanziemere Rob Roy R445, Alistair Clark and Sons

Best animal bred by exhibitor Blackbrook Heathermaid Rosa, Andrew Thornber

Valerie Orr receives the trophy for the best bull from judge James Playfair-Hannay. Winning the B M Durno Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the best group of three were Mark and Tracy Severn.

The Duthie Perpetual Challenge Cup for the champion was won by Andrew Thornber.

Winning the Mains Farm Perpetual Trophy for the best exhibitor bred bull were A Clark and Sons, with Alistair Clark receiving the trophy.

Presented for the first time was the Redhill World Conference Trophy for the best pair, won by Carey Coombs.

The Clark family also won the Emilie R Casares Memorial Trophy for the best junior male.