Pedigree Champion Eniver Harry

James Alexander Commercial One-Two

On Saturday 12th January 2013, the Northern Ireland Young Limousin Breeders’ Club (NIYLB) held their Calf Spectacular with classes for both pedigree and commercial Limousin calves. Ballymena Livestock Market was the new venue for the event, held to coincide with the British Limousin Cattle Society (BLCS) Female Sale on the same day.

Pedigree Champion Eniver Harry
Pedigree Champion Eniver Harry

Judge Kevin Bohan, Farm Manager of the Ardlea Limousin Herd in Southern Ireland, selected the impressive Eniver Harry, as his Pedigree Champion and winner of the McDonalds of Sprucefield Cup for the Best Exhibitor Bred Animal of the show. Bred and owned by Michael McKeefry, Carhill Road, Garvagh, Eniver Harry is a February 2012-born bull calf sired by Bailea Bullion, stock bull of the McKinney Brother’s Heathmount Herd, and is out of the Ampertaine Abracadabra daughter, Eniver Dot.

Reserve Pedigree Champion Derriaghy Hermonie
Reserve Pedigree Champion Derriaghy Hermonie

Reserve Pedigree Champion was Derriaghy Hermonie, bred and exhibited by David Green & Sons, Derriaghy Road, Lisburn.  This stylish February 2012 heifer calf is out of the Wilodge Tonka daughter, Dinmore Elvira, and is sired by the popular Ampertaine Commander.

Commercial Champion Steady Eddie
Commercial Champion Steady Eddie

Mr Bohan was then tasked with judging the Limousin crossbred classes which saw James Alexander, Randalstown secure a Championship One-Two. Champion was the April 2012-born steer calf, Steady Eddie. Reserve Commercial Champion was Eddie Rocket, a May 2012-born baby heifer. Both animals were sired by Mr Alexander’s stock bull, Swarland Eddie, purchased for 10,000gns at Carlisle in February 2011.

Reserve Commercial Champion Eddie Rocket
Reserve Commercial Champion Eddie Rocket

The award for the Best Pair of Pedigree Limousin Calves saw the Championship head to John McGeehan’s pairing from his Slieve Herd, sired by Wilodge Tonka and Carmorn Cannonball respectively, followed by Raymond Crawford’s pair from his Erne Herd, both sired by Sauvignon.

Pedigree Pairs Champions John McGeehan
Pedigree Pairs Champions John McGeehan

NIYLB’s grateful thanks are extended to the following sponsors whose generous support made the Calf Spectacular possible: Animax, British Limousin Cattle Society, Brian McComb Contractors, Corries Farm Butchers, Firmount Veterinary, Greenmount Country Stores, Irwins Farm Feeds, John Thompsons, McKinstry Skip Hire, Minprint, MSD Animal Health, the Northern Ireland Limousin Club, Semenstore, the Ulster Bank, and the Ulster Farmers Union.

Pedigree Class Winners Line-up
Pedigree Class Winners Line-up

Other Pedigree Class Winners:                

Millgate Hercules from Michael Loughran

Slieve Heidi from John McGeechan

Erne Harry from Raymond Crawford

Culnagechan Hispec from Derek Hume.

Other Commercial Class Winners:

Black Beauty from McKenna Brothers

Other Awards:

Pair of Pedigree Limousin Calves: Champion JI McGeehan; Reserve R Crawford

Leslie Hood Perpetual Challenge Cup: Derriaghy Hermonie D Green & Sons

David Adams Heaslip Memorial Endeavour Award: Emma Murphy

 

CATRINA KILLEN CHAMPION N. IRELAND YOUNG HANDLER

Reserve Ethan Green

Second Reserve Rebecca Adams

On Saturday 12th January an enthusiastic group of young breeders aged from eight to twenty-eight years old competed in the Ulster Bank Young Handlers’ Competition, staged at Ballymena Livestock Market, with the day also incorporating the Annual Calf Spectacular.

Champion Young Handler Catrina Killen with Ann Calwell Ulster Bank
Champion Young Handler Catrina Killen with Ann Calwell Ulster Bank

Having won the junior section, the enthusiastic Catrina Killen (12) from Crossgar, Downpatrick was awarded the Overall Champion Young Handler Award for 2013, closely followed by Ethan Green in Reserve and Rebecca Adams in Second Reserve.  The impressive Ethan Green (16) from Lisburn had previously won the intermediate section with senior class winner being the experienced Rebecca Adams (21) from Bangor.

Intermediate Champion Young Handler Ethan Green
Intermediate Champion Young Handler Ethan Green

The competition entailed dressing and showing a Limousin-bred calf, under the eye of judges Maggie McQuiston and Alison Connolly. The two sisters judged the dressing of the young members’ calves together with Kevin Bohan, Farm Manager of the Ardlea Limousin Herd, judging the young handlers on showmanship in their individual classes.

Senior Champion Young Handler Rebecca Adams
Senior Champion Young Handler Rebecca Adams

In order to dress their animal, the young breeders had to demonstrate knowledge of the products and brushes they were using and why they were using them.  They also needed to possess good technique in applying the products, and the overall appearance of the animal and the young handler was judged by double-act Maggie and Alison.  Kevin then tested 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. Mrs McQuiston spoke on behalf of the judges and congratulated all young handlers who competed in the competition, complimenting the high standard of stockmanship and showmanship that was evident from all NIYLB competitors throughout. She explained how the judges unanimously agreed on Catrina as Champion Young Handler due to her style and impeccable appearance preparing and showing her animal, especially at the tender age of 12.

A sincere thank-you goes to the Ulster Bank for their ongoing, loyal support within the Young Handlers Competition over the past eleven years.

Young Handler Championship Presentation
Young Handler Championship Presentation

Young Handler Results:

Junior Young Handlers: 1st Catrina Killen, 2nd Joseph McGookin, 3rd Ruth Hamill

Intermediate Young Handlers: 1st Ethan Green, 2nd James McComb, 3rd Richard Fleming

Senior Young Handlers: 1st Rebecca Adams, 2nd Marcus Berry

 

Paul Loughran with his first prizewinning Bull Calf
Paul Loughran with his first prizewinning Bull Calf