2007 Irish Ploughing Match

Young Limousin Breeders Stockjudging at the Irish Ploughing Match

Three Young Limousin Breeders teams went head-to-head to head amidst a great spirit of cooperation at the very first Anglo-Irish Stockjudging Championship held on Tuesday 25th September 2007 at the famous Irish National Ploughing Match, Annaharvey, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland.

With the day’s events being hosted by Irish Limousin Society President, Ger Ryan, Teams of Three from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK Mainland battled it out in the competition which saw the UK Mainland come out on top in both the Individual and the Team events.

Teams from Ireland, Northern Ireland & the UK Mainland take part in the Limousin Young Breeders’ Stockjudging.

Rob Kirton, Severn Lodge Farm, Kinlet, Worcestershire was placed first in the individual classes and joined up with fellow UK Mainland competitors Dafydd Evans of Y Felin, Cwmfelin-Mynach, Carmarthenshire and Michael Norman, Little Orton Farm, Little Orton, Cumbria to take home the team trophy. Second place was occupied by the Northern Ireland team made up of Benedict Savage, William McElroy and Jonathan Wilson with the Republic of Ireland standing third. In the Individual event, it was a one-two for the UK Mainland with Rob Kirton and Michael Norman respectively; Benedict Savage from Northern Ireland took third spot.

Winners of the Team Competition were Michael Norman, Rob Kirton & Dafydd Evans representing the UK Mainland.

The competition was the first of its kind ever held, with each Team of Three having pre-qualified at their own National event earlier in the summer. There were three sections in all in which points could be gained: a calf-handling class in which competitors drew lots before parading their haltered animal; giving reasons in front of a panel of three judges; and the traditional placing in order of four livestock, although this was given an unusual twist with the competitors having to firstly select the top four bulls from the Junior Bull class, judged by Mr Paul Byas, Middledale Farm, Kilham, North Humberside. Marks were given for those closest to the judge’s selection.

The Limousin Show at the National Ploughing Championships was judged by Mr Paul Byas, Kilham, N Humberside.

The Endeavour Award for the competitor showing the most potential was given to Irish team member, Tom Hickey. 2008 will see the competition continue with Southern Ireland joining the Young Limousin Breeders’ Club National Stockjudging at the 2008 Royal Show, Stoneleigh.

Results

Individual
1st            Rob Kirton
2nd            Michael Norman
3rd            Benedict Savage

Team
1st            UK Mainland
2nd            Northern Ireland
3rd            Republic of Ireland