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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
