NI Blue Cattle Club hold farm show in Downpatrick Mart

NI Blue Cattle Club hold farm show in Downpatrick Mart

10 August 2016

THE Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club held its annual calf show and young handler competition on Saturday at Downpatrick Co-Operative Mart.

The competition was open to calves registered from May 2015 with judging in the capable hands of David Young from Ballynahinch. 

The winner in the male 0-3 months category was Drumboy Little Big Time from sire Drumboy Gizmo and dam Drumboy Hogmany, owned by Oliver McCann, of Castlewellan.

In the male 6-9 months category the winner was Springhill Leo from sire Springhill Gladiator and dam Springhill Golden Girl, owned by J & S Martin, Newtownards. This animal was also the Male Reserve Champion.

Other winners were:

Male 10-12 months — Springhill King-Kong from sire Springhill EverReady and dam Spinghill Golden Girl, owned by J & S Martin, Newtownards.

Male 13-15 months — Spinghill Kojak from sire Adajio de Bray  and dam Sprinhill Golden Girl, owned by J & S Martin, Newtownards. This animal was also Male Champion and Overall Champion.

Female 0-3 months — Springbank Luna from sire Heros Du Peroy and dam Springbank Fizz, owned by Corrina and Ivan Gordon, Kilkeel.

Female 4-6 months — Drumboy Ladybird from sire Adajio de Bray and dam Drumboy GaGa Lady, owned by Oliver McCann, Castlewellan.

Female 7-9 months — Greenfield Lexy from sire Mountjoy Utopia and dam Greenfield Holly, owned by Basil Dougherty, Kircubbin.  This animal was also Female Reserve Champion.

Female 10-12 months — Rostrevor Kate from sire Adajio de Bray and dam Rostrevor Fiona, owned by Paschal McGinn, Rostrevor. This animal was also Female Champion.

Young Handler competition 

The young handler competition was sponsored by Bank of Ireland and gives the young members a chance to show their expertise and knowledge of their calves. The entrants proudly lead their calves around the ring and presented themselves to David for judging.

First place was Aaron McGaw from Downpatrick, second was Conor McCann from Castlewellan with joint third places going to Ryan McCann from Castlewellan and Sam Doran from Castlewellan.

The club chairman, Jason Edgar thanked David for judging these events, Bank of Ireland for their sponsorship and Downpatrick Co-Op Mart for the use of their premises. 

The event was thoroughly enjoyed and concluded with a small barbecue for all spectators and exhibitors. 

The Bimeda British Blue Herd Competition commences on August 15 with Judge Alan Cleland from Downpatrick. Alan will announce his awards at The NI Blue Cattle Club annual barbecue at Ballynahinch Rugby Club on Saturday, August 20. Tickets are available from Libby (adult £15: child £5) by contacting 07740 511475.