Limousin bull crowned Supreme Interbreed Champion at Royal Ulster Show
13/05/05

A glorious, sunny day on Wednesday 11th May 2005 was rounded off in style as Limousin bull Milbrook R2K was crowned Supreme Interbreed Champion with a convincing combination of poise, panache and power. Owner Mr W Campbell and Family from Carnlough, Ballymena were delighted when the combined force of the interbreed judges chose the February 2000 born Milbrook R2K as RUAS Supreme Interbreed Champion 2005. So convincing a winner was he, that he was placed first by all but one of the judges. R2K, sired by Festin and out of Monique, is no stranger to the red rosette, having been awarded the Overall Reserve Male Championship at the International Limousin Congress at Ingliston, Edinburgh in August 2004.  

Exhibited by Liam Campbell, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Limousin Cattle Club, this success comes in the 25th Anniversary year of the foundation of the Club which looks forward to hosting a special Limousin Anniversary Weekend 16th-18th September 2005 open to all. Earlier in the day, Milbrook R2K had come through an exceptionally strong field to take home the honours as Limousin Supreme Champion. Judge and renowned Cumbrian breeder Mr Matt Ridley, Hesket New Market, Carlisle had put him up first following a strong challenge from nine year old cow, Ronick Money - a Ronick Gains daughter and out of Ronick Honey - presented by DB Mairs & Co, Croftburn, Ballyclare, Co Antrim. She was also presented with the Special Prize for Best Female sponsored by J Bibby Agriculture Ltd. Mr Ridley paid tribute to the fantastic quality of stock paraded with demonstrable style apparent throughout. He was particularly impressed by the standard of the younger female classes and was full of praise for the Northern Irish breeders who have achieved such a tremendous reputation for pedigree stock.

This sentiment was reinforced by Mr Aled Edwards, Chairman of the British Limousin Cattle Society, who was in attendance at the Show with Chief Executive Iain Kerr and Development Manager Richard Saunders. “I was impressed to see such a large entry in the Limousin section - the biggest in Show - and the quality of stockmanship on display was superb,” Mr Edwards commented.

Having won the Interbreed Championship, the Perpetual Challenge Cup and the Marks and Spencer Limousin Championship, Milbrook R2K scooped further silverware, taking home the Broadmeadows Breeders Cup as well as the Special Prize sponsored by Smyth Steel Ltd.

The Jim Scott Perpetual Challenge Cup, awarded to the Best Limousin Animal bred and owned by an exhibitor, went to Newlittlemount Ulsterman from S Crawford, Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh who also formed part of the Crawfords' winning team for the Best Pair of Limousin cattle and Best Group of Three.

The Herbert Lusby Memorial Perpetual Challenge Cup for the Best Group of Three by the same sire went to D &RA Adams, Holywood, Co Down. Winner of the William Mulligan Memorial Rose Bowl for the Best Intermediate Heifer was DG Green & Sons, Lisburn, Co Antrim for Lisnagh Utopia.

Once again, Balmoral saw a great crowd of onlookers packing the Cattle Lawn. They were treated to a spectacular Show of cattle which highlighted the popularity of this easy-care, commercially relevant breed and underscored the dominant position enjoyed by Limousins in Northern Ireland, leading the field with 35% of total animals registered according to recently released Livestock & Meat Commission figures.

The Society would like to take this opportunity of thanking all breeders, committee members and sponsors who helped make The Royal Ulster Show 2005 such a memorable occasion. Your support is greatly appreciated.