One of the highlights on Wednesday morning in the cattle rings at Fermanagh County Show was the judging of the pedigree Beef Shorthorn National Show sponsored by Severfield.

The classes within this native breed brought exhibitors from across Northern Ireland but it was the four-year-old cow, “Ricketstown Lovely” owned by Duncan McDowell from Newtownards bought privately from a breeder that took the coveted championship rosette.

Judge, Bobby Landers from the Cairnsmore Pedigree Herd at Bargaly Farm, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, Scotland, making his first judging appearance anywhere in Ireland, told the large crowd gathered at the judging ring, that it had been a great show of Shorthorn cattle and there had been a fantastic line-up of champions.

The Shorthorn cow had great size, length and depth with a great calf behind her, he said.

Bobby, who had only previously judged one show, the Norfolk Show, runs a 50-cow pedigree Beef Shorthorn herd, and described the entries as very impressive.

The impressive cow had won the beef inter-breed at Balmoral Show, repeating a similar feat at Antrim Show and he was delighted with the success of the cow.

Runner-up to the champion overall was George and William Gott from Springfield with their 2017-born heifer, “Uppermill Blythesome Bonnie.” She is incalf for October.

Brian Keys from the main sponsor, Severfield Ltd., said he was delighted with such a great turnout of cattle for the national show.

Secretary of the Northern Ireland Beef Shorthorn Club, Barry Fitzsimons, form Ballynahinch, said they were delighted to be invited to run their National Show in Fermanagh, thanks to the work of Show Manager, Ann Orr, who was the guest speaker at a Club meeting earlier this year.

“This Show has been a phenomenal success and we have a good turnout from breeders from the West of the Province, “ he said.

A group of Club members leave later today (Thursday) for a visit to Beef Shorthorn herds in the North of England and then have their local herd visit on Saturday, August 17.

Cattle Results;

BEEF SHORTHORNS (NATIONAL SHOW)

Senior bull – 1, Richard Henning, Newry.

Junior bull – 1, D.D. McDowell, Newtownards; 2 and 3, Kenny Baxter, Castlewellan.

Cow with calf at foot born before January 2016 – 1, D.D. McDowell; 2, Richard Henning; 3, Damian and Emmet McNulty, Belleek.

Junior cow in calf – 1, Richard Henning.

Heifer born in 2017 – 1, William and George Gott, Springfield; 2, R and F McKeown, Ballyclare; 3, Richard Henderson, Trillick.

Heifer born between January 1 2018 and August 31 2018 – 1, Kyle Hopper, Brookeborough; 2 and 3, Chris Clarke, Ballymoney.

Calf born on or after September 1 2018 – 1, Richard Henning; 2, D.D. McDowell; 3, Emmet McNulty.

Pair of animals – 1, Kenny Baxter.

Beef Shorthorn champion – D.D. McDowell; Reserve – William and George Gott, Springfield.

YOUNG HANDLERS

Young handlers aged 10-14 years, exhibiting beef breed of calf under one year old – 1, Charlie Henderson, Trillick; 2, James Morrison, Maguiresbridge; 3, Thomas McAllister, Dungannon.

Young handlers, aged 15-19 years exhibiting beef breed of calf under 18 months – 1, Victoria Johnston; 2, Bradley Graham, Portadown; 3, David Stinson, Springfield.

Marshall Cup, winner of beef young handlers – Victoria Johnston; Reserve – Charlie Henderson.

Young handlers, aged 10-14 years exhibiting dairy breed – 1, Katie Morton, Armagh; 2, Sam Marshall, Augher; 3, Jake Hinchliffe, Maguiresbridge.

Young handlers, aged 15-19 years exhibiting dairy breed of calf under 18 months – 1, Ellie McLean, Bushmills.

Wilson Cup, winner of dairy young handlers – Ellie McLean; Reserve – Katie Morton.

ABERDEEN ANGUS

Bull or heifer calf born in 2019 – 1, Rachel Elliott, Derrygonnelly; 2 and 3, Alan and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge.

Bull – 1, Alan Cheney, Trillick.

Heifer born in 2018 – 1, Alan and Naomi Morrison, Maguiresbridge; 2, Alan Cheney.

Cow in calf or in milk -1, Fintan Keown, Belleek; 2, Alan and Naomi Morrison.

Exhibitor owned pair – 1, Alan Cheney; 2, Alan and Naomi Morrison.

Aberdeen Angus championship – Fintan Keown; Reserve – Alan Cheney.

CHAROLAIS

Bull or heifer born in 2019 – 1, H.C. Stubbs and A. A., Burleigh, Lisnaskea.

Bull born on or after January 1 2018 and on or before December 31 2018 – 1 and 2, S and D. Bothwell, St. Angelo; 3, William Nelson, Rosslea.

Heifer born in 2018 – 1, H.C. Stubbs.

Exhibitor owned pair – 1, S and D Bothwell.

Champion Charolais – S and D. Bothwell; Reserve – H.C. Stubbs and A.A. Burleigh.