The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Crowds flock to Alyth Show.
Crowds turn out for entertainment
There was a good crowd and I am pleased with this year’s entries. SHOW PRESIDENT STUART KNOW
Fine weather attracted a good crowd to the Alyth Show at Bogle’s Field, Essendy Road, Blairgowrie, on Saturday.
President Stuart Knox said: “There was a good crowd and I am pleased with this year’s entries, all seemed to show increases.”
After the morning judging of livestock classes, the afternoon entertainment got under way with Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band, led by Pipe Major Calum Patterson, playing selections.
Mount Blair tea won the tug o’ war, beating Aberfeldy 2-0. Results: Ardblair Stones, men – 1 Dr Lance Holland-Keen (9 stones, 49.68 sec); 2 Liam Tweedie (7, 58.49 sec.); 3 Mark Sherriffs (6, 27.88 sec); 4 Robbie Morris (6, 28.78 sec); 5 Neil Laidler (6, 43.94 sec).
Women – 1 Leigh Holland-Keen, Australia (5 stones, 13.11 sec); 2 Susan Holland-Keen (5, 19.98 sec); 3 Michelle Nugent, Burrelton (4, 24.39 sec).
Dancing: Primary. Pas des bas – 1 Alicia Rae, Forfar; 2 Sebastian Ballantyne, Fraserburgh. Pas des bas and high cuts – 1 Alicia Rae; 2 Sebastian Ballantyne. Fling – 1 Sebastian Ballantyne; 2 Alicia Rae. Sword – 1 Sebastian Ballantyne; 2 Alicia Rae.
Beginners, 8 and under. Fling – 1 Abigail Elliot, Forfar; 2 Bonnie Ballantyne, Fraserburgh. Sean Triuibhais – 1 Grace McGibbon, Forfar; 2 Bonnie Ballantyne. Trophy fling – 1 Bonnie McGibbon; 2 A Elliot. Flora Macdonald – 1 B McGibbon. Lilt – 1 B McGibbon. Section winners – 1 B Ballantyne; 2 A Elliot.
Nine and over. Fling– 1 Emma Gatehouse, Blairgowrie; 2 Lucy Robertson. Sword dance – 1 E Gatehouse; 2 L Robertson. Sean Triubhais – 1 E Gatehouse; 2 L Robertson. Trophy fling – 1 E Gatehouse; 2 L Robertson. Flora Macdonald – 1 E Gatehouse; 2 L Robertson. Lilt – 1 L Robertson; 2 E Gatehouse. Section winner – 1 E Gatehouse; 2 L Robertson.
Novice 9 and under. Fling – 1 Megan Mitchell, Crieff;2ReneeThomson,Maryculter;3GraceNixon, Alyth. Sword – 1 Megan Mitchell; 2 Renee Thomson; 3 Lucy Rodger, Tillicultry. Sean Triubhais – 1 Megan Mitchell; 2 Renee Thomson; 3 Grace Nixon. Trophy fling – 1 Megan Mitchell; 2 Grace Nixon; 3 Renee Thomson. Flora Macdonald – 1 Megan Mitchell; 2 Renee Thomson; 3 Grace Nixon. Lilt – 1 Megan Mitchell; 2 Grace Nixon; 3 Renee Thomson. Section winner – 1 Megan Mitchell; 2 Renee Thomson.
Novice 10 and over. Fling – 1 Carla Guild, Dundee; 2 Krzysziof Black, Monikie; 3 Eve-Lynne Griffiths, Forfar. Sword – 1 Carla Guild; 2 Isla Reid, Alyth; 3 EveLynne Griffiths. Sean Triubhais – 1 Emma McCafferty, Carluke; 2 Eve-Lynne Griffiths; 3 Isla Reid. Trophy fling – 1 Carla Guild; 2 Emma McCafferty; 3 Krzysziof Black. Flora Macdonald – 1 EmmaMcCafferty;2IslaReid;3Eve-LynneGriffiths. Lilt – 1 Eve-Lynne Griffiths; 2 Emma McCafferty; 3 Isla Reid. Section winner – 1 Carla Guild; 2 Emma McCafferty.
Intermediate 11 and under. Fling – 1 Kate Nixon, Alyth; 2 Paige Fotheringham, Blairgowrie. Sean Triubhais – 1 Paige Fotheringham; 2 Clara McDonald, Banff. Flora Macdonald – 1 Paige Fotheringham; 2 Clara McDonald. Lilt – 1 Paige Fotheringham; 2 Clara McDonald. Section winner – 1 Paige Fotheringham; 2 Clara McDonald.
Intermediate 12 and over. Highland Fling – 1 Lucy King, Dundee; 2 Stella Reid. Sean Triubhais – 1 Lucy King; 2 Stella Reid. Flora Macdonald – 1 Lucy King; 2 Stella Reid. Lilt – 1 Stella Reid; 2 Abbie Scott, Cumnock. H’pipe – 1 Lucy King; 2 Abbie Scott. Jig – 1 Lucy King; 2 Stella Reid. Section winner – 1 Lucy King; 2 Stella Reid.
Premier 11 and under. Fling – 1 Liam Mitchelson, Kellas; 2 Abby McLean, Letham. Sean Triubhais – 1 Abby McLean; 2 Liam Mitchelson. Jig – 1 Liam Mitchelson; 2 Abby McLean. H’pipe – 1 Abby McLean. Section winner – 1 Abby McLean; 2 Liam Mitchelson.
Premier 12 years. Fling – 1 Cara McFarlane, Carnoustie; 2 Erin Slane, Pitcairngreen; 3 Elie Closs, Methven. Sean Triubhais – 1 Cara McFarlane; 2 Elie Closs; 3 Lauren Johnston, Pitlochry. Jig – 1 Cara McFarlane; 2 Erin Slane; 3 Leilanni Tracey, Blairgowrie. H’pipe – 1 Cara McFarlane; 2 Erin Slane; 3 Leilanni Tracey. Section winner – 1 Cara McFarlane; 2 Erin Slane.
Premier 13 years. Fling – 1 Seann Mitchelson, Kellas; 2 Victoria Thomson, Dunblane; 2 Louise Stoddart, Edinburgh. Sean Triubhais – 1 Victoria Thomson; 2 Louise Stoddart. Jig – 1 Louise Stoddart; 2 Victoria Thomson. Hornpipe – 1 Louise Stoddart; 2 Victoria Thomson. Section winner – 1 Louise Stoddart; 2 Victoria Thomson.
The sun finally shone on east central Scotland’s 2017 summer show season when livestock, exhibitors and visitors basked in the heat at Bogles Field on the outskirts of Blairgowrie.
The good weather brought a relaxed approach to the judging which stretched well into the afternoon – and resulted in a draw for Alyth Show’s champion of champions sash.
Going head to head in the main ring were the cattle interbreed champion – an Aberdeen-Angus cow from Stuart Raeburn, Burnside of Tulloes, Letham – and the sheep interbreed winner, a Suffolk gimmer from Gordon Mackie, Drimmie, Forfar.
The judges of the horse, sheep and cattle interbreeds awarded points and the final nod eventually went to Stuart Raeburn’s Blelack Toplass which was female champion at Angus Show and is now en route to this week’s Royal Highland Show.
Gordon Mackie’s gimmer, sired by Strathbeg Allan, was champion at Fife Show and took the reserve place.
Pipped at the post was the show’s supreme champion horse, King Brex, from Hilary Mackie, The Old Chance Inn, Denside, Glenogil.
The event was a final dress rehearsal for the Royal Highland for many of the exhibitors from Perthshire, and an opportunity to get stock in prime condition for the national spotlight.
Hopes are running high for Wilson Peters’ commercial cattle winner, Miss Tees, which took the day’s championship and reserve beef interbreed award.
She has swept the boards at many of the local shows this season and will now go up against top commercial cattle from across the UK at Ingliston.
Taking the reserve interbreed award in the sheep section was a Blue Texel tup, Viewforth Angus, on his first outing, from David Soutar, Strathellie, Alyth.
A good show of Beef Shorthorn cattle was led by a two-year-old heifer from James Cameron Sr from Blairgowrie Road, Coupar Angus. Glenisla Desiree had her two-month-old calf, Glenardle Legend at foot, and he took a first prize in his own class.
Mr Cameron was delighted as the two animals comprise his entire Shorthorn collection.
“I brought my whole herd to the show,” he joked.
“I turned 70 last year and treated myself to a Shorthorn at last October’s Stirling sales. I’ve always liked the breed and Desiree was the only one at the sale I fancied.”
In the horse rings the Shetland pony champion was shown by Glendyburn Shetlands from Tillicoultry. Their winner was a seven-year-old mare, Mawcarse Lady Dionne which won the national stallion show as a three-yearold. She too is destined for the Highland Show.
The Highland pony champion was shown by Wendy Taylor from Strathkinness. Her filly, Royal Amber of Sunnyneuk, won the foal class at last year’s Royal Highland Show and took a first prize at Fife and the Highland Fells and Dales show at Brechin Castle.
The Clydesdale winner was Tulloes Blossom from A and J Greenhill, Upper Tulloes, Forfar, fresh from her championship success at Angus Show.