Dandelion makes her mark on show
A VETERAN Simmental cow showed the world what it has been missing with a very special Royal Welsh win yesterday.
To whoops of delight from owners Judy Borlase and daughter Bridget, Sacombe Dandelion was tapped out as this year’s Royal Welsh supreme beef champion.
Having belatedly entered the show circuit at the age of seven, the homebred fourth calver was making only her third ever show appearance.
For Judy and Bridget, yesterday’s win – the family’s first at Llanelwedd – was particularly emotional.
Next year the family herd, founded in Hertford by Bridget’s father Paul, will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Paul died 12 months ago to the week, and would have celebrated his 76th birthday yesterday.
“To win at the Royal Welsh is always special,” said Bridget. “But for it to come today, given the circumstances, it is even more special.”
Dandelion was shown with her April-born calf and another cow-and-calf outfit that got the nod from West Yorkshire judge JB Henry as the day’s reserve supreme.
Doncombe Madhu, a three-yearold British Blonde heifer bred and shown by David and Sue Knight, Bristol, took to the ring with her January-born calf.
Best of the Welsh Blacks was a Brysgaga Berwyn, a five-year-old Welsh Black bull shown by brothers Dafydd and Tom Ellis of the Ynysfor herd, Tywyn.
Watching on was the bull’s breeder, Rowland Rees of the Brysgaga herd, Bow Street, Ceredigion. The brothers’ dad, Ken, declined the chance to join his sons in the royal spotlight.
“It’s their moment, let them enjoy it,” he said. “I’m just so proud – and a bit emotional – to see my sons in the ring with the champion Welsh Black.”
Dafydd, who had the honour of presenting his champion to Prince Charles, said the whole family should take the credit.
Reserve champion Welsh Black was five-year-old cow Caran Olwen from Geraint Jenkins, of Talybont, whose family have shown Welsh Black every year since the first Royal Welsh Show in 1904.