Geldards Regain Championship at Skipton Charollais Rams Show
2010-09-16

Cumbrian Charollais sheep breeders JA and R Geldard & Sons, of Low Foulshaw Farm, Kendal, returned to championship-winning ways at the annual British Charollais Sheep Society show and sale of commercial rams at Skipton Auction Mart. (Tues, Sept 14)

Richard Geldard and the supreme champion
Charollais ram lamb

The Geldards, title winners in 2008 and reserve champions last year, returned to take top honours at this year’s renewal with a first-time shown ram lamb by Banway Immense, who, at 10,500gns, became the record price ram at Welshpool when acquired by the family two years ago. He was also responsible for the champion at the recent society sale in Carlisle.

The Skipton victor sold for 520gns, top price in the ram lamb class, to Northern Charollais Sheep Society chairman Robert Tindall, of Linton Springs Farm, Wetherby.

The second prize ram lamb and reserve show champion was exhibited by Cyril Dougherty, of Horsley View, Kirby Misperton, Malton. The sire is Foulrice Excalibur, acquired as the Dougherty stock ram in 2004 from breed stalwarts Charles and Valerie Marwood, of Whenby, York.

Excalibur has since shown his mettle by becoming last year’s overall Charollais flock competition champion for Yorkshire and Cleveland. His Skipton runner-up joined J Stringer & Sons at Bishop Wilton, York, for 400gns, with Mr Dougherty also selling the third prize ram lamb at 380gns to Stephen Peel, Slaidburn.

In addition, Mr Dougherty shone in the shearling ram class, his second prize winner achieving top price in both class and show at 570gns. The son of Arjane Hardy, Worcester Premier Sale champion in 2007, out of a daughter of Foulrice Excalibur, joined Nick Dalby at Hartwith, Harrogate. Mr Dougherty sold a second shearling ram for 530gns to Stuart Beeforth, Stillington, York.

The Marwoods themselves chipped in with a 500gns shearling ram that joined GW Turner at Skelton-on-Ure, Ripon, as well as selling a ram lamb at 400gns to E Bradley & Son, Kettlesing.

The first prize shearling ram came from Lancashire breeder Mark Worthington, of Higher Moss Farm, Ramsbottom, Bury. He acquired the Galtres Faithful son from breeder Deborah Whitcher, of Whenby, in 2005, with the same sire also responsible for the breed champion shearling at Chelford in 2008.

The Skipton class winner made 460gns when joining Thomas Binns at Downham Clitheroe, while Mark, who runs Worthington Joinery in Ramsbotton, also exhibited the third prize shearling ram, sold for 500gns to the same buyer.

A total of 27 ram lambs achieved an overall selling average of £307.22, an increase on last year. The average for the 27 shearling rams also sold was £389.28. Show judge was John Smith, of Carleton.

Repeat Coup at Skipton Shearling Gimmers Show
Gloucester Bishops’ Pilgrimage to Beltex Success at Skipton
Lister Mashams Success at Skipton Store Sheep Fixture