The north-east summer show season kicked off in style at Fettercairn Show on Saturday.
Show chairman, Nick Canning, hailed a hugely succesful event with visitor numbers up as crowds flocked to see breeders battle for rosettes, an array of trade stands and entertaining matches of vintage tractor football in the main ring.
“We have had a wonderful show,” said Mr Canning. “It was busier than normal and we are delighted to have a second year of good weather.”
He said both sheep and horse entries had increased, while cattle entries were similar to last year.
In the show rings, the coveted champion of champions prize was awarded to the leader from the sheep section.
This was a home-bred Texel gimmer from Stuart and Wendy Hunter, West Cairnhill, Insch.
By Strathbogie Yes Sir, she is bred from the flock’s foundation ewe, a Rohan-bred female by Strathbogie Stud bought at Lanark five years ago.
This was the first interbeed sheep and champion of champions win for the Hunters.
Overall champion of champions judge Louise Soutar – a vet from Thrums Veterinary Group – said: “She is a great representation of what Texels can be without being overly fat. She is going to be a lovely working sheep.”
Ms Soutar chose her champion from a line-up comprising the beef, sheep and horse champions.
The beef interbreed champion was a home-bred three-year-old Simmental bull from Gerald, Morag and Douglas Smith at Drumsleed, Fordoun.
Drumsleed Hivy, by Haystar Cracker and out of Drumsleed Valonia, was champion at Alyth and male champion at the Royal Highland Show.
Meanwhile, the horse champion was three-year-old home-bred Highland Pony filly, Feorag of Turin Hill , from Hamish Cameron of Beech Cottage, Turin, by Forfar.
She is by Glenbanchor Gillebrighde and out of May Dew of Turin Hill.
The reserve sheep interbreed champion was home-bred Beltex gimmer Pentland Dixie from Brechin breeders Graham and Fiona Burke.
By Airyolland Wurzel and out of a Kingledores Rascal-sired home-bred show ewe, she was second at the Highland.
The reserve beef interbreed champion was the cross-cattle section winner – 20-month-old Limousin cross bullock Dancer from Blair Duffton and Rebecca Stuart of Huntly and Insch. Bought at Brecon last February for £2,800, he is by Haltcliffe Chico and was reserve overall at the Royal Highland Show.
The reserve supreme horse champion was the in-hand Hunter champion Expensive Decision, by Hemmingway, from Lorna Gilbert.
Other prizes included the Agricar cup for the best shearling to a Beltex from the Burkes. Reserve was a Suffolk from Faith Miskelly, Corrybrae, Alford. The native cattle championship went to the Highland winner, with the Aberdeen- Angus in reserve.
Continental champion was the Simmental with the Limousin in reserve.