Ayrshires®
Cattle Society of Great Britain and Ireland
 
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Ardmore Herd Wins Ayrshire Championship At The Ulster Multi-Breed Calf Show

23rd August 2014

The Ayrshire section at the 12th annual Multi-Breed Dairy Calf Show was judged by Peter Berresford who runs the 140 cow Heydale herd based at Buxton, Derbyshire.  “Thanks to the Ulster Ayrshire Club for inviting me back to the province to judge its annual calf show. The standard has been excellent in all classes, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the day.  “There were some outstanding handlers in the showmanship classes, while the calf championship boasted three exceptional calves, anyone of which I would be proud to have at home.”

Winner of the supreme overall championship was Ardmore Orphan 117, a six-month-old heifer bred by the father and son team of John and Michael Hunter, who run 130 cows at Crumlin, County Antrim. Sired by Nexus Dreamer, she is bred from the EX 93 Ardmore Orphan 95 – breed champion at the 2011 RUAS Winter Fair, and 2013 Balmoral Show champion.  “The champion is a super calf, and very correct. I admired her depth of rib, style and cleanness of bone. She shows great potential for the future.”

Runner-up was the November 2013 born Beechmount Ice Cream 3, exhibited by the brother and sister duo Robert and Caroline McConnell, Parkgate, County Antrim. Sired by Ravenhill Steadfast, she is bred from Knockenjig Ice Cream 24 EX91.  “The reserve champion is similar to the overall winner. Very sweet and correct, well balanced, stylish and displaying great bone,” added the judge.

Pictured above: Supreme champion - Ardmore Orphan 117 owned by Michael Hunter, and shown by Sarah Jones. Presenting the trophy is Peter Berresford. Picture by Jane Steel.
Pictured above: Supreme champion - Ardmore Orphan 117 owned by Michael Hunter, and shown by Sarah Jones. Presenting the trophy is Peter Berresford. Picture by Jane Steel.
Reserve champion was Beechmount Ice Cream 3 owned by Robert and Caroline McConnell, and exhibited by Rebecca Jones. Pictured with Peter Berresford. Picture by Jane Steel.
Reserve champion was Beechmount Ice Cream 3 owned by Robert and Caroline McConnell, and exhibited by Rebecca Jones. Pictured with Peter Berresford. Picture by Jane Steel.
Honourable mention was Priestland Prime Pamela owned by Messrs Cromie and McLean. Peter Berresford congratulated Sydney Cromie, and handler John McLean. Picture by Jane Steel.
Honourable mention was Priestland Prime Pamela owned by Messrs Cromie and McLean. Peter Berresford congratulated Sydney Cromie, and handler John McLean. Picture by Jane Steel.
Champion handler, and winner of the mature showmanship class was Sarah Jones, Ballymena. Presenting the trophy is judge Peter Berresford. Picture by Jane Steel.
Champion handler, and winner of the mature showmanship class was Sarah Jones, Ballymena. Presenting the trophy is judge Peter Berresford. Picture by Jane Steel.
Reserve champion handler was Rebecca Jones, Ballymena. She was congratulated by Peter Berresford. Picture by Jane Steel.
Reserve champion handler was Rebecca Jones, Ballymena. She was congratulated by Peter Berresford. Picture by Jane Steel.
Six-year-old Cameron Carson, Ballymena, won the novice showmanship class and was honourable mention handler. He was congratulated by Peter Berresford. Picture by Jane Steel.
Six-year-old Cameron Carson, Ballymena, won the novice showmanship class and was honourable mention handler. He was congratulated by Peter Berresford. Picture by Jane Steel.

Top honours in the showmanship section went to Sarah Jones, Ballymena, with her sister Rebecca securing the reserve championship award. Their six-year-old cousin Cameron Carson collected the honourable mention award. “The standard of showmanship has been very high, with six excellent handlers competing in the championship line-up. There wasn’t much between the top two competitors. “I was particularly impressed with young Cameron Carson. He is outstanding for his age, and shows great potential. I’m sure he will be a winner in the future,” concluded the judge. The top three showmanship competitors were all trained by Karen Carson from Ballymena.

Club secretary Jayne McConnell thanked the sponsors, OB Construction and Brian George, for their generous financial support.

Results from the Ayrshire classes include:

Junior handler, under seven-years-old 

  1. Cameron Carson, Ballymena
  2. Matthew Gordon, Ballyclare
  3. Harry Fleming, Antrim

Intermediate handler, aged 8 to 15-years-old

  1. Gareth Baird, Carrickfergus
  2. Tiarna Drake, Ballyclare
  3. Katie Gordon, Ballyclare.

Mature handler, aged 16 to 26-years-old

  1. Sarah Jones, Ballymena
  2. Rebecca Jones, Ballymena
  3. Stephanie Farren, Ballyclare

Calf Classes

Heifer, born on or after 01/01/14

  1. Ardmore Orphan 117 (Nexus Dreamer) - John and Michael Hunter, Crumlin
  2. Cottown Jarvis Ashleigh (Cottown Jarvis) - Drummond Family, Bangor
  3. Grove Sailor Girl 2 (Lagace Ristorun) - Thomas Gordon, Ballyclare

Heifer, born between 01/09/13 and 01/01/14

  1. Beechmount Ice Cream 3 (Ravenhill Steadfast) - Robert and Caroline McConnell, Parkgate
  2. Priestland Prime Pamela (De La Plaine Prime) - Messrs Cromie and McLean, Bushmills
  3. Beechmount Peggy 8 (De La Plaine Prime) - Robert and Caroline McConnell

Heifer, born between 01/05/13 and 01/09/13

  1. Beechmount Queenie 4 (Rosehill Mastercard) - Caroline McConnell
  2. Ardmore Sunrise 72 (Poos Stadel Classic) - John and Michael Hunter
  3. Beechmount Punch (Lagrace Ristourn) - Robert and Caroline McConnell 

Heifer, born between 01/01/13 and 01/05/13

  1. Beechmount Astral 3 (Rosehill Mastercard) - Robert and Caroline McConnell
  2. Ards Oblique Dahlia (Jelyca Oblique) - Daniel Patton, Newtownards
  3. Grove Sailor Girl (Palmyra Tri-Star Burdette) - Thomas Gordon
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