Norbreck Calf Competition 2008
Corrina and Ivan Gordon swept the boards at the Norbreck British Blue NI
Calf Competition at Moira on Saturday 16th August 2008 taking the Supreme
Championship, Norbreck Cup and three first in class rosettes home to Kilkeel.
As
a month’s rainfall fell in 12 hours a youthful and enthusiastic
audience packed the spacious Moira Arena as judge Jock Wylie placed three
calves from the Gordons’ Springbank British Blue Herd in poll position.
All sired by Ballygrange Alex, the bull bred by Society Chairman Jim Sloan
of Kilkeel and since sold at Carlisle’s Borderway Mart for 12,000 gns
to Danny Wylie of Tamworth, Staffs.
The Norbreck Reserve Champion and Champion
Bull was shown by the Crawford Brothers from Fermanagh.
Commenting, the judge
praised the excellent organisation of this NI Blue Cattle Club event and
the very high quality of stock presented. “Several of
the winners today will, I predict, go on to major success nationally and
at least one will have a major impact on the ultimate beef breed, the British
Blue, in years to come. Today’s supreme champion is a truly outstanding
heifer, “
Jock, a native of Ayr, adding that the progress made by British Blue Cattle
in this past 10 years is truly remarkable with the standard in Ulster comparing
very well with other regions.
Results
Heifer less than three months old;
1. William Heatherington,
Sixmilecross, 2. Andrew Craig, Coleraine, 3. James Annett, Kilkeel.
Bull less
than three months;
1. Wm Heatherington, 2. A Craig, 3. Martin Brothers,
Newtownards.
Heifer three to six months old;
1 & 2, Jim Ervine, Newtownabbey,
3.Richard Simpson, Ballymena.
Bull three to six months;
1. Crawford Brothers,
Maguiresbridge, 2. Ernest Gregg, Ahoghill, 3. Jason & Jennifer Edgar,
Downpatrick.
Heifer six to nine months
; 1. Corrina & Ivan Gordon, Kilkeel,
2. A Craig, 3. Martin Bros.
Bull six to nine months;
1. Martin Brothers, 2.
Jim Ervine, 3. A Craig.
Heifer nine to 12 months;
1. C & I Gordon, 2.
Jim Ervine, 3. Martin Bros.
Bull
nine to 12 months;
1. C & I Gordon, 2. Wm. Heatherington, 3. A Craig.
HANDLERS
Cathy Leivers from Staffordshire had an even more difficult task judging ‘The
Meat Joint’ Young Handlers Competition following the calf event.
The
sheer number of enthusiastic, young people taking part clearly impressed
Cathy, as did the standard of overall presentation. Though Cathy did note
that one or two young people competing with calves that were not their own
would have benefited from a better briefing on the animal’s background.
Just another few hours spent with the animal they planned to compete with
would have helped these individuals do even better Cathy suggested.
“Overall the standard was most impressive and Northern Ireland Young
Handlers are at least the equal of their peers elsewhere in the UK and a
credit to their families.”
The Meat Joint NI Blue Club Young Handlers
winners were;
Under eight years old;
1. Ellie Edgar, 2. Leah McCormack, 3,
Robert Craig.
Nine to 12 years old;
1. Kerry Simpson, 2. Kerry Young, 3. Gemma
Heatherington.
13 to 16 years old;
1. David Douglas, 2. Julie Simpson, 3.
Sam Martin.
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| Hannah McCormick and Gemma Hetherington enjoy the British
Blue Calf show. |
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| Naomi Gregg who was 2nd in the 33-6 month bull class. |
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| Colin Herbinson from the Meat Joint pictured with some
of those who took part. |
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| Jim Ervine from the British Blue club NI, pictured with
sponsor Colin Herbinson from the Meat Joint with his children Charlie
and Chloe. |
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| Young Handlers in the 9-12 age group Kerri Simpson 1st
Claire Young 2nd and Gemma Hetherington 3rd with judges Kathy Leivers
and Jock Wyllie. |
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| Robert Craig, Reanna Craig, Pamela Craig, pictured with
Stephen and Barry O Kane and Lynsay Lawerence from Keady Grooming |
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| Young Handlers in the 13-16 age group David Doherty
1st, Julie Simpson 2nd, and Sam Martin 3rd with judges Kathy Leivers
and Jock Wyllie |
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| Stephen Crawford 1st in Bull class and reserve champion
of the show with Kathy Leivers and Jock Wyllie judges. |
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| Young Handlers in the 0-8 age group Ellie Edgar 1st,Leah
McCormick 2nd and Robert Craig 3rd with judges Kathy Leivers and Jock
Wyllie |
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| Jennifer Gordon with the champion |
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| Jennifer Gordon show champion with Ivan and Corrina
Gordon and judges Kathy Leivers and Jock Wyllie |
| Pictures by Kevin McAuley |
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