Aberdeen-Angus Breeders Flock to Carlisle for Winter National Show
2010-11-01

The first ever Aberdeen-Angus Winter National Show took place at Carlisle on Friday 29th October, with some 46 exhibitors forwarding more than 100 head of stock from all over the UK.

The bull calf and overall bull calf championship honours went to James brooks and Victoria McLaren with their March 2010-born Bon Lea Emperor K079.

Held in conjunction with Borderway Agri-Expo, the first ever Winter National Show saw some phenomenal stock forward for judge Marion Tilson, Gordon, Berwickshire, to place and although there was no overall supreme champion, all three section champions could have been easy overall winners in her eyes.

Kicking off proceedings in the calf classes, brother and sister team James Brooks and Victoria McLaren of Bon Lea Angus, North Yorkshire, lead the way in the male section and took the overall calf championship with Bon Lea Emperor K079. This powerful March 2010-born son of the high performance sire Rawburn Rommel E423 is out of the 2005 Royal Show and Great Yorkshire Show interbreed champion Bon Lea Elle C017 who is a daughter of Hurdcott Estimator A018. Mrs Tilson described her calf champion as: “A stand out from the minute he walked in to the ring. He has outstanding power and style and will no doubt go on to make a great bull for the future.”

Taking the reserve in the calf championship as well as the overall heifer title was Messrs W and D McLaren, Perthshire, with William McLaren Jnr at the halter. Their winner was the stylish January 2010-born Netherton Blackbird K541. Again by Rawburn Rommel E423, she is out of Netherton Blackbird B172 who is a daughter of Netherton Lord Jock Z005. This heifer has already been sold privately to Miss Gina Barraclough of Roydmoor Angus, Sheffield, and will no doubt be appearing on the show circuit for her in 2011.

In the intermediate section, it was the turn of last year’s English National Calf Show champion exhibitor to take to the ring. Leading the way for Messrs John Lascelles, Angus, was their yearling heifer Balmachie Ellen Erica J062. Born March 2009, this powerhouse of a heifer is by The Moss Florian B284 out of Balmachie Ellen Erica G033, who later went on to take the reserve championship in the cow and calf section. Mrs Tilson praised this heifer for her immense power, stature and growth for age.

Taking reserve and the male yearling title was Jeremy Price, Hereford, with his summer show bull Oakchurch Diplomat J118. This February 2009-born son of Oakchurch Dominator G035 out of Oakchurch Red Delia F021, has stood overall breed champion at Three Counties Show, male champion and best recorded native bull at The Royal Welsh Show, male champion at Great Yorkshire Show and male calf champion at the 2009 Southern England Calf show in Bristol in 2009.

Taking the cow and calf championship was Messrs W and D McLaren with Netherton Fleur G413 with her heifer calf at foot Netherton Fleur K566.

In the cow and calf championship, the McLaren family continued their winning form taking the lead with their junior show cow Netherton Fleur G413. Described by Mrs Tilson as “the best she has looked all year”, Fleur is by the Royal Highland Show male champion and successful stock sire The Moss Mr Eshton D409 and is out of the Royal Highland Show overall champion Netherton Fleur D344.

Fleur G413 has been shown this summer picking up championship titles at Perth, Braco and Grantown Show and was shown with her May 2010-born heifer calf Netherton Fleur K566 at foot, who was calf champion at Perth Show.

Taking the reserve in this section was Messrs John Lascelles with Balmachie Ellen Erica G033, dam of the overall yearling champion. By T C Freedom 104 and out of Cudlobe Ellen Erica 46D Erica G033 is already proving herself to be one of the best female breeders at Balmachie having calved the yearling champion at two years of age. She was shown with her heifer calf Balmachie Ellen Erica K086 by Balmachie Kiwi Sam G034 at foot.

Overall, the event attracted huge interest from the crowds at Agri Expo and has proved itself to be a worthy addition to the show circuit calendar for the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society. Event organiser and exhibitor Bryan Ronan of the Jerusalem herd commented: “We’re pleased with how the event has gone and with the number of breeders who exhibited cattle. The event has grown from the English National Calf Show which has previously taken place at Agri-Expo and we can only look forward to growing this event even more.”

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