NI Calf Spectacular 2007
The Young Limousin Breeders of Northern Ireland hosted their 6th Annual Calf Spectacular and Young Handlers Competition at Moira Pedigree Sales Arena on Saturday 15th September 2007. This year there was a fantastic display of over 80 pedigree and commercial Limousins, shown by breeders from across the province.
The Young Handlers Competition kick started the day’s proceedings with 19 competitors split into three groups – Junior, Intermediate and Senior. The Young Handlers competition was split into two sections – the preparation of the calves for exhibition and the handling of the calves in the show ring.
Sarah-Jayne Jessop of the renowned Springsett Herd, Stirling, Scotland judged the preparation of the calves whilst her partner Dougie McBeath judged the handling. This year’s competition was exceptionally tight with only a few points separating each prize winner, in many cases.
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In the Junior Section it was the youngest ever competitor in the competition’s history, James McComb from Templepatrick, who walked away with the first prize rosette. James showed the importance of attention to detail and handled his calf with natural flare in the show ring. Rebecca Adams once again beat off stiff competition to win the Intermediate section. Rebecca is no stranger to the show ring and proved that success comes with experience when she was named the Overall Reserve Champion. Finally after many years of practice, Jeremy Aiken from the Carnew Herd, swept the boards by winning the Senior Section and was named the Overall Champion Young Handler. Both Judges agreed that in all aspects of the competition Jeremy acted in a professional manner and demonstrated his skills throughout.
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After all the excitement of the Young Handlers competition it was then up to Dougie to judge the prestigious Calf Spectacular. This year the competition was indeed ‘spectacular’ and the Judge commented that the quality of animals on show was higher than he had ever anticipated. Despite the high standard of quality calves, Dougie eventually selected a maiden heifer, Clydevalley Bessie, owned by RS Clyde from Templepatrick, as the Overall Champion. In this strong class, this Rocky daughter showed great Limousin qualities. Dougie then pulled in another young heifer, Fedneyhouse Collette, owned by W McElroy of Ivaniskey Limousins as his Reserve Champion.
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The competition in the commercial championship was equally tight, with Chumba Wamba owned by William McAllister, Kells, taking the championship. William was also awarded the McDonald’s of Sprucefield Cup for the Best Exhibitor Bred Animal. The Reserve Commercial Champion was another well-known commercial breeder, James Alexander of Randalstown.
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The final award of the day was the David Adams Memorial Cup for Endeavour, which was awarded to Kim Steele-Nicholson, YLB NI Chairperson. The Club is very grateful to its many sponsors – Aghadowey Limousins, B&D McElroy, British Limousin Cattle Society, Christies Direct, Crossgar Food Services, DG Green & Sons, Dunbia, FS Herron, Janssen Animal Health, Joseph Morton Ltd, McDonalds of Sprucefield, NI Limousin Cattle Club, Parfix Equipment Company, Roberts & Co, The Meat Joint Antrim, J Thompson & Sons & WB Financial Services.
Young Handlers Competition Results
Junior Young Handlers – 1st James McComb, 2nd Adam McGookin, 3rd Jay Adams
Intermediate Young Handlers – 1st Rebecca Adams, 2nd Clive Keys, 3rd Jonathon Wilson
Senior Young Handlers – 1st Jeremy Aiken, 2nd Kim Steele-Nicholson, 3rd William McElroy
Overall Young Handlers Champion – Jeremy Aiken
Reserve Overall Young Handler – Rebecca Adams
Second Reserve Overall Young Handler – James McComb
The David Adams Heaslip Memorial Cup for Endeavour – Kim Steele-Nicholson
Calf Spectacular Results
Class One – 1st V Keys, 2nd McCormick Brothers, 3rd C&F McAuley
Class Two – 1st RS Clyde, 2nd C&F McAuley, 3rd J&J Aiken
Class Three – 1st C&F McAuley, 2nd H&D McFarland, 3rd M Conway
Class Four – 1st W McElroy, 2nd J Gilliland, 3rd D&RA Adams
Class Five – 1st T Quayle, 2nd H McCracken
Class Six – 1st D&RA Adams, 2nd H McCracken, 3rd H McCracken
Class Seven – 1st W McAllister, 2nd J Alexander, 3rd J Alexander
Class Eight – 1st J Alexander, 2nd J Alexander
Class Nine – 1st H&D McFarland, 2nd H&D McFarland, 3rd D Hume
Pedigree Calf Spectacular Champion – RS Clyde
Pedigree Calf Spectacular Reserve Champion – W McElroy
Commercial Calf Spectacular Champion – W McAllister
Commercial Calf Spectacular Reserve Champion – J Alexander
The McDonalds of Spruicefield Cup for the Best Exhibitor Bred Animal – W McAllister
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| William McAllister, Kells owned the Exhibitor Bred Champion. Jonathan Aiken, Dromara is pictured exhibiting the winner while John McCollum, Franchisee, McDonalds, Sprucefield, Sponsors presents the winning trophy. | Steven Clyde, Templepatrick, owned the winner in Class 2. George and Ryan Roberts represented the Sponsors Roberts and Co. |
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| The Best Group of Three were exhibited by Clive Keys and Howard and Graham McFarland, Trillick. Ulster Bank, Agricultural Department sponsored the class and Ann Calwell is pictured congratulating the winners. | Reserve Pedigree Champion, William McElroy of Ivaniskey Limousin. Also winner of Class 4 sponsored by J Thompson & Son, pictured Rachael McGuigan. |
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| C and F McAuley, Antrim, owned the winner in Class 3. Frank McAuley is pictured exhibiting the winner while Jonathan Hawthorne, Joseph Mortons, Sponsor looks on. | Jeremy Aiken, Dromara was the Champion Senior and overall Young Handler. Jeremy is pictured with Bryan McElroy, Chairman, NI Limousin Club, sponsors, Senior Young Handler class. |
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| Jeremy Aiken, Dromara was the Senior and Overall Young Handler Champion. Judges of the event Dougie McBeath and Jane Jessop from Stirling are pictured presenting the awards. Also included is Bryan McElroy, Chairman, NI Limousin Club. | Jeremy Aiken, Dromara was the Senior and Overall Young Handler Champion. Judges of the event Dougie McBeath and Jane Jessop from Stirling are pictured presenting the awards. |
Craig Norman writes:
“Despite the recent FMD outbreak, the YLBC trip to the NI Calf Spectacular was still able to take place albeit with a slight change of schedule. Members departed from Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds and Bristol to meet in Belfast early Saturday morning. The Northern Irish Club members were on hand to transfer us to the Moira Sales Arena where the show was held.
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With a large number of entries and an exceptionally high standard of calves – alongside an excellent standard of preparation and handling from members as young as 7 and up to 30 – it proved an excellent event that was well organised and well supported by a wide range of sponsors.
After checking into the B&B it was off to Ellie Mays Bar and Bistro for a meal with the NI YBC, judges and Calf Show helpers. With a large number of people attending – and a steady flow of drink – it lead to an early morning finish!
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With a slight change of schedule, which saw us unable to visit Greenmount College, it is with great thanks to the McAuley family for offering to show us their Carmorn Herd. This was a herd with a very high standard of cattle on show from a wide variety of bloodlines. With AI used widely from a range of top sires, this gave us a great opportunity view and compare the results.
The second and final herd visit was to that of Mr DB Mairs, where we viewed the Bearbrook herd. This was a smaller herd but again one of very high quality with all the females in the herd achieving top accolades at a variety of shows.
I would like to thank the NI Club for helping to organise the trip, with special thanks to Lesely-Anne Beacom for her assistance with the accommodation and to James and Alison Callion for being our personal taxis for the weekend!”
Craig Norman, YLBC Chairman
