The bank holiday weekend of the 23 and 24 May began with the Northern Ireland Club day which was sponsored by United Feeds. The event was hosted at Brigadoon, Ballnahinch, Co Down by kind invitation of Albert, Marie and David Connolly and Maggie McQuiston on the Saturday.
The day included skills workshops on animal nutrition hosted by Sam Watson & Andrew McMordie from United Feeds; halter making with Ian Balfour and Ian Rea; dressing demonstrations with Sean McGovern; show ring skills with David Connolly; animal husbandry with Vet Gareth Bell and fun and games with a mini JCB with Mervyn McKeown. This was followed by the stockjudging for qualification into the National final and an open competition and farm walk.
We were then treated to a BBQ which helped raise funds for the NI Hospice as its charity. We would like to thank the regional secretary Ann Orr and her assistant Tanya, regional co-ordinator Clodagh McGovern, judges Ben Sinnamon and Alan Morrison, and club members who helped to make the day a success but especially to the Connolly family.
Albert Connolly heads a walk round the cattle
David Connolly and Sister Maggie McQuiston with judges Ben Sinnamon and Alan Morrison