Blue Cattle Dominate Castlewellan Show 2008
The British Blues stole the show at Castlewellan’s 41st Show, held
in the Forest Park on Saturday 19th July.
With over 50 ‘Blues’ exhibited, the breed more than half filled
the show parade. In the words of one spectator “Everywhere you look
there are ‘Blue’ cattle. I’ve not seen anything like it,
not even at the Royal’s”
The envious task of judging was in the capable hands of David Pearson from
Co. Laois, with Alistair Watret from the Solway View Herd in Dumfriesshire
judging the Bull Derby Final. The classes were kindly sponsored by Ulster
Bank Limited and Ivan Porter of Osmonds Animal Health Products.
The first winner of the day was Alan Cleland’s fabulous young bull,
Ballee Carl. The Young Heifers’ class was won by Andrew’s Craig’s
Woodview Black Beauty, who proved true to her name! Best cow of the day went
to that never failing Reinbeck Optica owned by the Chestnutt family. Woodview
Clever owned by Andrew Craig claimed 1st prize for Bull or Heifer calf under
1 year old and Alan Cleland was in the prizes again, in the pairs class with
Ballee Carl and Ballee Blake, nine pairs entered and again the quality was
superb.
It is clear that older farmers have nothing to fear regarding declining interest
among the younger generation as the impressive line-up of Young Handlers
were more than capable of controlling these large animals in the arena. Indeed
so many were participating that an adjoining arena was required to facilitate
the class. Sam Martin was the eventual winner, with, Ernest and Naomi Gregg
and Ellie Edgar taking the runner up places.
This was also the qualifying day for the Heifer Derby, with 1st place going
to Andrew Craig with Woodview Black Beauty, 2nd W.J. Ervine with Slemishview
Claire and 3rd Sam Milliken with Woodview Blossom. The Heifer Derby final
will be held on Saturday 26 July 2008 in Antrim Showgrounds.
Our Chairman Jim Ervine must have had high expectations when he entered his
heifer, Slemishview Claire, for the Interbreed Young Heifer Championship.
Facing stiff competition a smiling Jim took possession of the 1st prize rosette.
The Bull Derby Final, sponsored by Ivan Porter, Animal Health Products and
judged by Alistair Watret of Solway View herd, Carlisle, was also judged
at Castlewellan. Again an impressive class of 18 bulls were presented for
showing with Jim Ervine and Knockagh Busker taking 1st prize, James Annett
with Snowy Ridge Carlingford 2nd and Andrew Craig’s Woodview Charlie
3rd. All owners participating received an Osmond product from the sponsor
for each exhibit.
Mr John Adams, Vice-Chairman of the Castlewellan Show presented the award
for the “Best Breed Promotion Stand” to the Northern Ireland
Blue Cattle Club Chairman, Mr Jim Ervine. Mr Adams thanked the club for the
showing of their cattle, the stand layout, the co-operation throughout the
day and in particular the large turnout of cattle in the parade. He went
on to say that we have set a very high standard for another year, but hoped
that others will not find it too difficult to follow.
The Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club wish to thank the sponsors, Ulster
Bank Limited, Ivan Porter of Osmonds Animal Health Products and the committee
of the Castlewellan and District Agricultural Show for helping us to make
this an extremely successful day for the Club.
SHOW RESULTS
Andrews Milling Cup, for the British Blue champion:
Chestnutt Family - Reinbeck Opticia
Reserve: Andrew Craig - Woodview Black Beauty
Bull, born on or after 1/10/06:
1st Alan Cleland - Ballee Carl
2nd W J Ervine – Knockagh Best Man
3rd Sam Milliken – Woodview Bonzo
Heifer, born on or after 1/10/06:
1st Andrew Craig – Woodview Black Beauty
2nd W J Ervine – Slemish View Clare
3rd Sam Milliken – Woodview Blossom
Cow, born on or before 30/9/06:
1st Chestnutt Family – Reinbeck Opticia
2nd Chestnutt Family – Clougher Wilma
3rd Martin Bros – Springhill Baby Blue
Bull or heifer calf, under one-year-old:
1st Andrew Craig – Woodview Clever
2nd Corrina and Ivan Gordon – Springbank Corrina
3rd Andrew Craig – Woodview Cupid
Pair, property of exhibitor:
1st Alan Cleland
2nd James Annett
3rd Andrew Craig
Young handler, under 16-years-old:
1st Sam Martin
2nd Ernest and Naomi Gregg
3rd Ellie Edgar
Cross-bred British Blue, under two-years-old:
1st Arthur Callaghan, Kilkeel
2nd James Alexander, Randalstown
3rd Arthur Callaghan
Ivan Porter Osmonds British Blue Young Bull Championship Qualifier:
1st WJ Irvine – Knockagh Busker
2nd James Annett – Snowy Ridge Carlingford
3rd Andrew Craig - Woodview Charlie
 |
| The winner of the final of the Osmonds/NI Blue Club
Bull Derby was Knockagh Busker exhibited by Jim
Ervine, Newtownabbey. Ivan Porter of Osmonds is pictured making a
presentation along with Alistair Watret, Annan, Judge of the event. |
 |
| Jim Ervine with Knockagh Busker the winner at the final
of the Osmonds/ NI Blue Club Bull Derby. Pictured along with Jim is Alistair
Watret, Annan, Judge and his father John. |
 |
| James Annett, Kilkeel owned the Reserve overall in the
final of the Osmonds/ NI Blue Club Bull Derby and he is pictured receiving
a presentation from Ivan Porter, Osmonds. |
 |
Third place in the final of the Osmonds/ NI Blue
Club
Bull Derby was owned by Andrew Craig, Coleraine
and exhibited here by Stephen O'Kane who is pictured receiving a
presentation from Ivan Porter of Osmonds. |
 |
| Jim Ervine, Chairman NI Blue Cattle Club with Jim Sloan,
Chairman, British Blue Cattle Society . |
 |
| Relaxing after the Judging Reinbeck Optica owned by
Zara Chestnutt, Bushmills, right checks out the NI Blue Club tent. |
 |
| Stephen O'Kane exhibited Andrew Craigs Reserve Champion,
he is pictured with Cormac McKervey, Senior Agricultural Manager,
Ulster Bank and Richard Convery, Ulster Bank, Rathfriland. |
 |
| Zara Chestnutt, Bushmills owned Reinbeck Optica the
Champion, she is pictured
receiving a presentation from Cormac McKervey, Senior Agricultural Manager,
Ulster Bank while looking on are Sam Milliken, David Pearson, Co Laois
and Richard Convery, Ulster Bank, Rathfriland. |
|
