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Wales & North Midlands
Regional qualifiers for the National Stockjudging competition began on the 28th April with the Welsh and North Midland regional qualifier which this year was held at Welshpool Livestock Market on the evening preceding the society sale.
The stockjudging was scheduled for after the inspections and there was a nice turnout with competitors travelling from all over Wales and the Midlands. Regional secretary and youth coordinator Ruth Corbett had arranged for the stockjudging to be held in the show ring and the Welshpool market team were really accommodating staying on late so we could host the event. Steward Arwel Owen organised two lovely bull classes for judging and master judge Gareth Roberts must have made a good job of selecting his order as there were some great scores.
After the judging new Society CEO Peter Phythian gave a talk to crowd and the presentations were made to the winners and runners up in each age category followed by a catch-up in the bar! Congratulations to Emma Morgan-Page, Ross Isaac, Cara Smith, Joe Powell, Thomas Corbett and Grace Corbett who go forward to the National competition to represent the Welsh region.
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Northern Ireland
Just two weeks later it was the turn of the Northern Ireland region to host their qualifier. The McWilliams family were the hosts who went to town with the hospitality providing a hearty stew dinner and sandwiches and cakes to boot at their lovely home in Maghera, Co Image may be NSFW.
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Derry. Robert McWilliams established their Charolais herd in 2003 and is now home to 12 breeding females. The herd has been successful at shows and society sales and his proudest Charolais moments include winning the senior and reserve male championship at Carlisle May 2012 with Stranagone Farren who went on to sell for 9,500gns and being crowned supreme Charolais champion at last year’s Balmoral Show with Stranagone Jones, who was male champion the previous year.
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The cattle looked great in the sunshine and three classes were prepared for the competitors to judge. The day also featured presentations on health and safety in partnership with IOSH and the benefit of using EBVs with Gavin Hill of SAC. Image may be NSFW.
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Congratulations to all the competitors who qualified to go forward to the National competition at Seawell grounds in July: Kevin Reavey, James Causey, Caoimhe McGovern, Eimear McGovern, Pearse McWilliams, Matthew Mitchell, David Rea & James Rea.
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Yorkshire & North East
The Yorkshire & North East area was the next to hold their qualifier, which was held at the renowned Brampton herd of Billy and Sarah Turner in Ripon, North Yorkshire. Brampton is one of the longest established Charolais herds in the country being started back in 1972 and has gone from strength to strength with accolades including being awarded the Raymond Ogden Perpetual Trophy on its first outing in 1982, numerous Supreme Championships at the Perth bull sales and the Royal Show and most recently Brampton Legoman was crowned junior champion at last year’s Great Yorkshire Show. The Turners have also exported Charolais cattle all worldwide including consignments to Brazil, South Africa and Eire.
Stockman Antony and Michael had prepared three handsome classes of cattle and the Master Judge Steven Nesbit made his choices before the competitors took their turn. Club secretary Margaret Atkinson arranged the scoring and the presentations were made at Billy and daughter Sarah’s home in the village, where we were treated to a pork batch supper with plenty of cakes for afters. Making their way to the final on behalf of the region were Anthony Howe, Michael Dumbreck, Stuart Brown and Charlie, Sophie and Rebecca Hitchen.
