Republic of Ireland in second, Scotland place third
Isle of Man’s Kirree Kermode Wins Best Individual
The Young Limousin Breeders’ Anglo-Irish Stockjudging Competition, held on Saturday 17th September 2011 at Moira Sales Arena,N Ireland, saw England win the team competition with Kirree Kermode, Ballasalla,Isle of Man lifting the Best Individual and Best Newcomer titles.
This annual event, held for the fifth year, was established jointly in 2007 by the British and Irish Limousin Cattle Societies respectively to promote young breeders stockjudging in a spirit of competition and friendship between the two herdbooks. The 2011 event organised by the British Young Limousin Breeders’ Club, with the kind help of the Northern Ireland Limousin Club, saw the event grow to include teams from N. Ireland, S Ireland, England, Scotlandand, for the first time, a “Barbarians” team made up of representatives from Wales, N Ireland & S Ireland. Adding to the day for spectators, the event was run alongside the 10th annual staging of the Moira Limousin Calf Spectacular.
Emerging victorious was the England team represented by sister and brother Kirree & Thomas Kermode, and Jess Simms. Having been part of the winning team, Kirree Kermode rounded off a fine personal performance by winning both the Best Individual & Best Newcomer titles. Earlier this year, sixteen year old Jess Simms, Hulse Farm, Lach Dennis, Northwich,Cheshire, also secured theUK’s 2011 National Limousin Young Breeders’ Stockjudging Title which was held within the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, Edinburgh.
In second place overall was the Southern Ireland team which consisted of Marie Louise Ryan, Kevin Graham and Declan McHugh.
In line with previous years, the Anglo-Irish competition was divided into three sections: handling, judging and reasons – with each given equal weighting. All the teams, comprising of three competitors in each, judged a class of four heifers, before giving reasons to a panel of judges made up of Michael Gunn, Co. Roscommon, James Cooper, Dacre,Harrogateand Master Judge Sam Coleman, Glarryford, Ballymena, who is also President of the British Limousin Cattle Society.
The Placing and Reasons Sections challenged the competitors to correctly judge and place in order 4 heifer calves and convince the judges’ panel of their decision. This section is the toughest element of the competition where content; appearance and manner of presentation; accuracy of observation; focus on a comparative rather than descriptive statement; and style, ability and confidence are all taken into account. Credit should be given to all contestants for their high scores in this section.
The Placing and Reasons Sections challenged the competitors to correctly judge, and place in order, four heifer calves before giving reasons to the judges’ panel for their placement. This demanding section takes into account a combination of content; appearance and manner of presentation; accuracy of observation; focus on a comparative rather than descriptive statement; and style, ability and confidence.
Young Limousin breeders are active in all regions of theUnited Kingdom. Under the national structure of the YLBC and its office bearers, events are organized at national and local level with the assistance of the British Limousin Cattle Society and its nine associated regional clubs. Varied events and activities held in the year include: National Young Breeders Stockjudging, Anglo Irish Stockjudging, calf shows, social events, organised days and courses in preparing, halter training, clipping, showing cattle and general stock knowledge.
2011 ANGLO IRISH STOCKJUDGING TEAM RESULTS
1st England (Jess Simms, Kirree Kermode, Thomas Kermode)
2nd S Ireland (Marie Louise Ryan, Kevin Graham, Declan McHugh)
3rd Scotland (Sophie Harvey, Amy Lindsay, Stephanie Dick)
4th The Barbarians (Rob Coney, Rebecca Adams, Andrew McInerney
5th N Ireland (William McElroy, Adam McGookin, Marcus Berry)
2011 ANGLO IRISH INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
1st Kirree Kermode
2nd William McElroy
3rd Jess Simms
BEST NEWCOMER
Kirree Kermode
