There was no need for wellies, waterproofs of brollies at the sunny Sutherland Show on Saturday.
The event was blessed with good weather throughout, ensuring good spirits for exhibitors and visitors alike.
Livestock breeders and riders from across the region flocked to the event at The Links in Dornoch to compete in various competitions throughout the day.
Strutting her way to take home the coveted supreme champion of champions title was a yearling, Clydesdale filly from Eric and Miranda Johnstone, of Highfield Circle, Muir of Ord.
The couple’s prizewinner was Ord Tinkerbell, which previously stood Clydesdale breed champion and overall native horse champion earlier in the day.
By Eskraggen Earnest and out of the successful show mare Ord Envy, Tinkerbell stood champion at the Grampian Foal Show last year and supreme at this year’s National Stallion Show.
Judge Joyce Campbell, of Armadale Farm, Sutherland, chose her out of a line-up comprising the overall beef, sheep and two supreme horse champions.
Describing her champion as “bonnie”, she said: “I thought she was outstanding from when I saw her walk into the ring. I felt she just had something else about her.”
Ms Campbell then awarded the reserve supreme champion of champions title to the leader from the sheep section.
This was the Blackface champion, which was selected as winner of the sheep interbreed title by Graham Burke of Cairndrum, Brechin.
The prize-winning gimmer was put forward by Charlie McIntyre and Gemma McIntosh of Upper Croft, Na Garn, Boat of Garten.
She was bought at the Highland Sheep event at Kinnahaird Farm, near Contin, in May, from Archie MacGregor of Allanfauld, Kilsyth.
The duo aptly named her DFS as Ms McIntosh had wanted to go and buy a new couch, but Mr McIntrye insisted on spending the money on the gimmer instead.
Their winner is by a £35,000 Dalchirla and out of an £11,000 Auldhouseburn ewe.
In the beef section, the supreme champion title went to a 20-month-old Limousin bull from Michael Robertson of Easter Fodderletter Farm, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch.The bull, which is named Whiskey Lord, took the title after winning the pedigree section in the beef rings.
He was purchased at Carlisle in February for an undisclosed price and is now the junior stock bull at Easter Fodderletter.
By Haltcliffe Dancer and out of Wilodge Glitzy, he stood first at the Highland, Echt and New Deer Shows.
He is related to the supreme champion of champions from this year’s New Deer Show – Whiskey Infinity from Harry and Lynwen Emslie, Kinknockie, Mintlaw, Peterhead.
The supreme win made the journey to Sutherland worthwhile for the Robertson family.
Michael’s son Mark also had success at the show, taking the champion title in the commercial cattle section. He beat local exhibitors to the top with a yearling Belgian Blue cross heifer named Rachel. Bought privately from Alistair Robson of Old Manse, Glass, Huntly, she previously stood Rising Stars champion, reserve at the Spring Show and Young Farmers champion at Echt and New Deer.
Saturday’s show also featured a grand parade of vintage tractors, cars and machinery which drew in huge crowds of spectators around the main ring.
RESULTS
CATTLE
PURE NATIVE BREED: Gregor Laing and his niece Helen Laing, Wester Fearn, Ardgay, with home-bred 18-month-old Aberdeen-Angus bull, Wester Fearn Bartender. On his first show outing, he was displayed at the World Angus Forum display at Dingwall Mart and bought by Bonar Bridge crofter Gordon Smart. He is by Duncanziemere Scotsman and out of Dalmore Baroness.
Reserve – Gregor and Helen Laing with home-bred five-year-old Aberdeen-Angus cow Wester Fearn Princess Royal, by Belhaven Tabernacle and out of Halbeath Princess Royal. Shown as a heifer.
PEDIGREE: Michael Robertson, Easter Fodderletter Farm, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch, with 20-month-old Limousin bull Whiskey Lord. Related to the New Deer Show champion of champions winner, Whiskey Infinity from the Emslies at Kinknockie, Mitnlaw, he was bought at Carlisle in February. By Haltcliffe Dancer and out of Wilodge Glitzy, he is the new junior stock bull for the Robertsons. He stood first at the Highland, Echt and New Deer.
Reserve – W. J. and J. Green, Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers, with home-bred September-2016 born Simmental bull Corskie Harry. By Dirnanean Bradley and out of the successful show cow Corskie Blossom, he was on his first outing.
HIGHLAND: George and Wendy Sutherland, Bardanheigh, Halkirk, with home-bred three-year-old heifer Jenny 2nd of Bardanheigh. By Fergus of Hilliclay and out of Jenny 4th of Earn. She stood first last year.
Reserve – Leys Castle Farm, Leys Castle, Inverness, with home-bred two-year-old bull Duke The 10th of Leys, by Jock of Linton and Dawson 16th of Leys. Shown by stockman Dale Scott, he was first at Fettercairn.
COMMERCIAL: Mark Robertson, Easter Fodderletter Farm, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch, with with yearling Belgian Blue cross heifer Rachel. She was bought privately from Alistair Robson, Old Manse, Glass, Huntly, and stood Rising Stars champion at the Christmas Classic, reserve overall at the Spring Show, and Young Farmers champion at Echt and New Deer.
Reserve – Mark and Debbie Munro, Invercharron Farm, Ardgay, with home-bred 10-month-old British Blue cross heifer Hard to Resist. She was reserve at Caithness last week and is destined for sale at the Thainstone Spectacular next month.
CROFTERS’ CATTLE: Gordon Begg, The Manse, Canisbay, with home-bred mid-January born British Blue cross heifer Holy Moly, by Invercharron Diablo. She stood reserve beef interbreed at Caithness and is destined for the Spectacular. Reserve – n/a.
NATIVE CATTLE CHAMPION: Gordon and Wendy Sutherland’s Highland champion.
YOUNG FARMERS’ CATTLE: Scott Dingwall, Culbokie East, Culbokie, Dingwall, with a 15-month-old Limousin cross heifer bought privately from Mark and Debbie Munro at Invercharron in April.
Reserve – Laura Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers, with the reserve pedigree champion.
SHEEP
NORTH COUNTRY CHEVIOT LOWGROUND: John Polson, Smerlie, Lybster, with a gimmer by Biggins Supreme and out of a home-bred ewe. She was third at Caithness.
Reserve – John Polson with a shearling tup, by Durran Rover and out of a home-bred ewe. He was second at Caithness and Latheron earlier in the month.
NORTH COUNTRY CHEVIOT HILL FARMERS: Badanloch LLP, Kinbrace, Sutherland, with a gimmer by a home-bred of North Lochnaver Normad and out of a ewe by Achentoul Tank. She was third at the Highland.
Reserve – Jan MacKenzie, Langdale, Strathnaver, Kinbrace, with a three-shear tup by Clune Prince George. He stood second at the Highland.
NORTH COUNTRY CHEVIOT HILL CROFTERS: Rosemary Cameron, Thistle House, Portskerra, Melvich, with a gimmer named Thistle Very Swish. She is by Brackside Smoking Gun and out of a home-bred ewe.
Reserve – Rosemary Cameron with a two-shear tup by Brackside Smoking Gun and out of a home-bred ewe. He placed fourth at the Highland.
BELTEX: T. MacLean, Upperton, Glenurquhart, with a ewe lamb by a Borderesk tup lamb and out of a home-bred ewe by Culberfeidh Puma. She was on her first outing.
Reserve – John Scott and Partners, Fearn Farm, Fearn, Tain, with a home-bred mid-March born ewe lamb by Loandhu Wallace and out of an Edenfauld ewe.
TEXEL: Alan Chisholm, Wester Moy, Urray, Muir of Ord, with a tup lamb by Arkle Ying Yank and out of a Knock Fantastic gimmer. Reserve – Jemma Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers, with a ewe lamb. By VIP and out of a Milnbank ewe she was in the shortleet at the Highland Show.
SUFFOLK: M. and I. Bissett, Mariain, Culnaskeath, Evanton, with a four-crop ewe by Galcantray Jukebox and out of a home-bred ewe. She was interbreed champion at Sutherland in 2013 and champion at the Black Isle Show last year.
Reserve – Leanne Matheson, 257 Rearquhar, Dornoch, with a lamb by Lochton Prince and out of a Bardnaclavan ewe.
SHETLAND: Sally Wild, Upper Meadows, Eagliefield Road, Dornoch, with a gimmer named Annette of Meadows. By Gillie of Cokharney and out of a Christobell ewe, she was on her first outing.
Reserve – C. Urquhart, Balmore, Bogallan, North Kessock, Inverness, with a prize-winning four-crop ewe.
BLACKFACE: Charlie McIntyre and Gemma McIntosh, Upper Croft, Na Garn, Boat of Garten, with a gimmer named DFS. She was bought at the sale of gimmers at the Highland Sheep Event in May from Archie MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth. She is by a £35,000 Dalchirla and out of an £11,000 Auldhouseburn ewe.
Reserve – Charlie McIntyre and Gemma McIntosh with a two-shear tup bred at Crosswoodburn and by a £17,000 Allanfauld. He was purchased at Dalmally for £3,000.
ZWARTBLES: C. and S. Bissett, with a ewe lamb by Donbraid Big D, which was champion at Stirling in 2015 and bought for the top price of 1,500gn. She was second at the Highland.
Reserve – Alfie Clark, Milton of Connage, Ardersier, with a ewe lamb by a Duke sire. She was on her first show outing.
CROSS: Gavin Breathret, Woodside Croft, Blackpark Ardersier, with a Suffolk cross ewe and her twin lambs sired by a Wester Moy Texel. Reserve – Gavin Breathret with a Texel cross ewe lamb by a Wester Moy Texel sire.
ANY OTHER BREED: Dorothy Allison, Inver-Bay, Lower Arboll, Tain, with a Blue Texel gimmer purchased at Dingwall.
Reserve – Jim Mair, Hollies, Seaveiw, Dunmore, Beauly, with a Roussin one-crop ewe. She was bought as a gimmer from J. Fleming, Newton Stewart.
YOUNG HANDLERS: Aged nine years and below (MV ACC) – 1, Neve Sutherland, Bardnaheigh, Harpsdale, Halkirk; 2, Archie Scott, Fearn Farm, Fearn, Tain.
Aged 10-16 years (MV ACC) – 1, Jim Mair, Hollies, Seaview, Beauly; 2, Erin Sutherland, Bardnaheigh, Harpsdale, Halkirk.
Aged nine years and below (NON MV ACC) – 1, Ava Loughton, 6 The Cairns, Culbokie, Dingwall; 2, B and J Swanson, Framside, Calder, Thurso; 3, Rory MacIver, Blackmuir Croft, The Heights of Docharty, Dingwall.
Aged 10-16 years (NON MV ACC) – 1, Matthew Loughton, 6 The Cairns, Culbokie, Dingwall; 2, Alfie Clark, Milton of Connage, Ardersier; 3, Leah MacDonald, 3 Crakaig, Whitehill, Loch.
NATIVE HORSES
CLYDESDALE: Eric and Miranda Johnstone, 50 Highfield Circle, Muir of Ord, with home-bred yearling filly Ord Tinkerbell. By Eskraggen Earnest and out of successful show mare Ord Envy, she was champion at the Grampian Foal Show last year and supreme champion at the National Stallion Show this year. She also stood native horse champion. Reserve – Tracy Johnstone and David Simpson, Highfield Circle, Muir of Ord, with home-bred 12-year-old mare Ben Wyvis Morning Mist. By Ord Caledonia, she has a successful show past having won at Grantown three years in a row.
HIGHLAND: Shona Halford, Brodie, with eight-year-old stallion Danny Boy of Croila, by Sunny of Runivraid and out of Sheena of Croila. He was supreme champion at the Northern Work Society and BSPS Spring Show. Reserve – Carolyn and Alan Munro with five-year-old gelding Strathmore Jubilee. He won his class at the Highland last month on his first show outing.
SHETLAND: Jim and Renee Swan, of Teanahaun Croft, Conon Bridge, with home-bred three-year-old standard filly Stow Corenee, by Stow Vulcan and out of Erray Cowslip. She was champion at Nairn last year and reserve female and reserve junior at the Highland this year. She was reserve native champion at the show. Reserve – Hools Shetland Pony Stud, The Brough, Toab, Orkney, with four-year-old standard yeld mare Hools Janet, by Wells Masterclass and out of Merkisayre Poppy. She was champion at Sutherland last year and champion at Caithness last week.