Republic Of Ireland Take Team Honours
UK Mainland Second
Third Northern Ireland
The Young Limousin Breeders Anglo-Irish Stockjudging Competition held at Antrim Agricultural Show on Saturday 26th July 2014 saw a great turnout with young breeders from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and UK Mainland competing for the ultimate title, with chances of winning both team and individual trophies.
Having qualified for this event by winning their own national championships, the young breeders were judged on both their stock judging and stock handling skills. Judge Alison Connolly judged the handling section whilst Michael Gunn, Ian Nimmo and Jim Quail judged the youngsters on their stock judging skills when placing a class of heifers and bulls, and providing reasons for the bull class.
Winner of the overall individual award was Kim Steele-Nicholson from Northern Ireland with Stephanie Dick representing the UK Mainland a very close second. Third came Melvin Masterson from the Republic of Ireland.
The winning team was the Republic of Ireland with Melvin Masterson, Orla Curtin, Eamon O’Donovan and Shanon Kinahan; second the UK Mainland consisting of Stephanie Dick, Thomas Illingworth and Millie Hendy; third was Northern Ireland’s Phelim Savage, Ruth Hamill, Kim Steele-Nicholson and James McComb.
It was an extremely close competition with only a couple of marks in between the places, as all competitors were of a really high standard. Judge Michael Gunn commented: “Today has been excellent with the young breeders providing such great knowledge when presenting their reasons. All elements of the competition have been of a very high standard and I have been incredibly impressed with all the competitors.”
In attendance was Young Limousin Breeders Club Co-ordinator, Annabelle Wint, who added: “On behalf of all the young breeders, I would like to thank the judges Alison Connolly, Michael Gunn, Ian Nimmo and Jim Quail for all their time and help and also the Northern Ireland Limousin Club Chairman Henry Savage and Secretary Heather Hume for putting on a brilliant event and making everyone so welcome.”
