Limousin cross judged champ at Strathardle show

EVENT: Simpson family’s bullock, Jimmy Blue, reigns supreme at action-packed gathering with youngster Ruby leading the rope

Visitors to Strathardle Highland Gathering and agricultural show welcomed the sunniest day of the weekend and saw a 15-month-old bullock from the Simpson family crowned Champion of Champions.

With an action-packed schedule for the gathering in the main ring attracting crowds from near and far, the livestock judging on the other side of the dyke took on a steadier pace.

Going all the way to the top was a home-bred Limousin cross named Jimmy Blue, from Bob and Helen Simpson, brought out by 11-year-old daughter Ruby.

Jimmy Blue has already won a couple of tickets having won the young handlers classes at Alyth and Kirriemuir shows with young Ruby on the rope. He was first selected as cattle champion by Graeme Mather, Brechin, before the points awarded by the five section judges saw him crowned supreme.

Best of the breeding females was the winner of the North Blackface section, a gimmer by a £2,500 Chamberwells bred from an Auchnacloich ewe, from Mark and David Simpson, Sidlaw, which was picked out by judge Neil Shearer, Glenlivet.

A special presentation was made to long-standing livestock secretary, Jean Lindsay, who finished her 23 years of service having passed the age of 90.

Jean was presented with a bronze sculpture of a Highland cow and calf by the sculptor herself, Lady Sally Nairn.

CHAMPION PANEL Cattle – Simpson family, Mains of Creuchies, with Jimmy Blue, a homebred May 2017-born Limousin cross bullock by an Irish stock bull and out of a pure British Blue cow. Won his young handlers class at Alyth and Kirriemuir with 11-year-old Ruby.

Reserve – Raymond and Stephen Martyn, Wester Bleaton, with a homebred March-born Limousin cross bullock by Homebyres Ian and out of a British Blue cross cow.

Cross breeding sheep – David and Elizabeth Stewart, Mains of Dalrulzion, with a home-bred three-quarter Texel suckled gimmer by a Scrogtonhead sire and out of a Texel cross ewe.

Reserve – David and Elizabeth Stewart, with a pair of home-bred threequarter Texel ewe lambs by a different Scrogtonhead sire to the champion and out of Texel cross ewes.

Prime lambs – David and Elizabeth Stewart, with a pair of home-bred threequarter Texel lambs by the same Scrogtonhead sire that bred last year’s winners, and out of Texel cross ewes. Winners of the heavyweight class.

Reserve – David and Elizabeth Stewart, with a pair of home-bred lambs by a home-bred Beltex sire and out of Texel cross ewes. Winners of the lightweight class.

North Blackface – Mark and David Simpson, Sidlaw, with a gimmer by a £2,500 Chamberwells and out of an Auchnacloich ewe. Champion at Kirriemuir.

Reserve – David Nicol, Viewmount, with a home-bred gimmer by a £9,500 Haughton and out of a ewe by a £3,500 Viewmount. Third at Kirriemuir, second at Perth.

South Blackface – Michie family, Tomchulan, with a home-bred threecrop ewe by a £65,000 Auldhouseburn and out of a home-bred ewe. Shown as a ewe lamb.

Reserve – Mark and David Simpson, with a home-bred one-crop ewe by a £1,100 Dullatur and out of a ewe by a £5,800 Connachan. Second at Kirriemuir.

From top left, judging of the Blackfaces; champion prime lambs with David and Elizabeth Stewart along with Fiona Burke; Ruby Simpson, 11, with Jimmy Blue, the show’s Champion of Champions; local shepherds look on during the judging of the Blackface gimmers; Sir Michael Nairn, right, takes a stroll around the showground.

Pictures: Kenny Smith.