Ampertaine Goldcard Champion Bull
Trueman Grazia Champion Heifer
The inaugural Bank of Ireland-sponsored Northern Ireland Junior Limousin Championships organised by the NI Limousin Club at Antrim Agricultural Show on Saturday the 28th July, saw the Ampertaine and Trueman herds win the Bull and Heifer titles respectively.
Despite the heavy showers, a large crowd of spectators at the ringside saw a strong turnout of Limousin cattle throughout the day made up of a total of 62 class entries. With a prize fund of £1,000 this new event was judged by Mr George Hutton who runs the noted Cloughhead Herd at Setmabanning, Threlkeld, Keswick, Cumbria.
Winning the Bull Championship was Ampertaine Goldcard, on his first-ever show outing, exhibited by Messrs WJ & J McKay from Upperlands, Maghera. This stylish and shapely April 2011 born bull is sired by the French bull, Sympa, and is out of the homebred dam, Ampertaine Duchess, a Fieldson Alfy daughter.
Coming in as Reserve Bull Champion was Rahoney Geoffrey, a June 2011 born bull bred by Messrs H & D McFarland, Trillick, Co Tyrone. This very stylish bull is sired by the 50,000gns Wilodge Ceberus and is out Rahoney Abigail (by Tanat Mostyn).
Third place went to Culnagechan Glensofantrim bred by Mr D Hume, Randalstown. This April 2011 born bull is sired by the stock bull and AI sire Carmorn Copilot, a Wilodge Vantastic son, and is out of the dam Ballydonaghy Uglybird who carries Moero bloodlines.
Culnagechan Glensofantrim went on later in the day to win Antrim Show’s Beef Stakes judged by Mr Craig Ridley, Haltcliffe, Hesket New Market.
A quality heifer line-up saw Mr Hutton place Trueman Grazia from Mr H Savage, Newry as his Heifer Champion. This April 2011 born heifer had previously placed Reserve Overall Champion and Reserve Overall Female Champion at Balmoral Show in May this year. Sired by the 100,000gns Haltcliffe Vermount, and out of the dam Cookstown B1425 , she had both presence and style in the show ring.
Mr Hutton placed Ballyrobin Galaxy as the Reserve Heifer Champion. Bred by local breeder Miss J Gilliland, Antrim this stylish May 2011 born heifer is sired by Haltcliffe Underwriter, a Sympa son, and is out of the homebred dam, Ballyrobin Scallywag.
Coming in third was another outstanding heifer, Draperhill Gaby, an August 2011 born heifer bred by the Rodgers Family, Dromara. This heifer is sired by Moloskey Bosco, a Rocky son, and is out of the homebred Draperhill Butterfly.
The NI Limousin Cattle Club would like to thank all the exhibitors who supported this competition, hosts Antrim Agricultural Association and especially sponsors Bank of Ireland, as well as Judge Mr George Hutton for taking the time to judge this new competition.
