Richard Fleming Intermediate & Overall Champion
On Saturday 17th September 2011, twenty enthusiastic young breeders aged from eight to twenty-eight years old competed in the Ulster Bank Young Handlers Competition, staged at Moira Pedigree Sales Arena, which also incorporated the Annual Calf Spectacular.
This competition entailed dressing and showing a Limousin calf for the ultimate prize of Champion Young Handler 2011. Master Judge Stephen Clyde of Clydevalley Limousins, Kilmakee Road, Templepatrick who is also Assistant Farm Manager of the Livestock Development Unit CAFRE, Greenmount Road, Antrim was tasked with judging the dressing of the young members’ calves for the Young Handlers Competition followed by Kathryn Lawson from the Windsole Herd, Auchterarder, Perth assessing the young handlers on showmanship in their individual classes.
In order to dress an animal, the young breeders had to show knowledge of the products and brushes they were using and why they were using them. They needed to possess good technique in applying the products, and the overall appearance of the animal and the young handler was judged by Mr Clyde. Miss Lawson then had to test the young handlers on their knowledge of the animal they were showing, their ability to control and present their animal, and the eye contact made and alertness shown by each individual to commands made in the ring.
The points scored in both elements were combined to reveal the winners. In the junior class an enthusiastic James McCombe (12) from Antrim caught the judges’ eye and took first place, followed by an impressive Richard Fleming (15) from Ballyclare winning the intermediate class. Senior class winner was Jonathan Wilson (19) from Larne after a close tie between him and fellow YLB member Rebecca Adams (20). The three class winners then presented their animals for a final time in the show ring in front of the two master judges. After much consideration, Richard Fleming was awarded Champion Young Handler for 2011, followed by James McCombe receiving Reserve Champion Young Handler 2011, with Jonathan Wilson Second Reserve Champion. Mr Clyde and Miss Lawson congratulated all young handlers who competed in the competition and complimented the high standard of stockmanship and showmanship that was evident from all NIYLB competitors throughout the event.
NIYLB would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all competitors on the day of the show for making the event such a success. Furthermore, a sincere thanks to the Ulster Bank for their ongoing, loyal support within the young handlers competition, over the past ten years.
Results:
Class 1: Junior Young Handler – 1st James McCombe, 2nd Paul McGookin, 3rd Ruth Hamill
Class 2: Intermediate Young Handler – 1st Richard Fleming, 2nd Ethan Green, 3rd Adam McGookin/Jack Ferguson
Class 3: Senior Young Handler – 1st Jonathan Wilson, 2nd Rebecca Adams, 3rd Eamon McGarry
Champion Young Handler – Richard Fleming
Reserve Champion Young Handler – James McCombe
Second Reserve Young Handler – Jonathan Wilson
