Saintfield Show returns to heart of Down countryside

Enjoying Saintfield Show are, from left: Norman McBriar, president; Peter Lawson, Glenbrook Farm, host; Brian Hunter, chairman; and David Smyth, head of cattle section. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Saintfield's 73rd annual show has been hailed as a huge success.

The one-day event was hosted by the Lawson Family at Glenbrook Farm near Boardmills.

Show chairman Brian Hunter thanked everyone who turned out to support the show: “I am sure everyone will agree that this is a fine venue for our annual show. We are indebted to Peter Lawson and his family for the use of their premises.

“It has been a great day, and I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to success of the show”.

Samantha Todd, Ballynahinch, exhibited the reserve Hampshire Down champion at Saintfield Show. Picture: Julie Hazelton

These words were echoed by DUP MLA Edwin Poots: “Glenbrook Farm has proved to be an excellent fixture for Saintfield Show, and I look forward to seeing the show going from strength-to-strength in the years ahead.”

Glenbrook Farm has been owned by County Down dentist Peter Lawson since 1993: “My family has thoroughly enjoyed the day, and we are delighted to welcome Saintfield Show back into the heart of the community. We have met many friends, and it has been a lot of fun.”

The pigs proved to be one of the attractions, with judge Brian Kelly from Lurgan awarding the supreme championship to a British Saddleback boar owned by top-placed young handler Samara Radcliffe from Banbridge. Runner-up was a Gloucester Old Spot gilt owned by Amanda Stewart from Dundrod. Claiming the championship ribbons in the interbreed sheep line-up was a Texel shearling ewe from the McCollam family, Steven, Jean, Christina and Stephanie, who run 30 pedigree and 100 commercial ewes in their Carmavy Flock near Nutt’s Corner.

“The overall winner is a very correct sheep with great breed character,” explained Scottish judge Craig Thornborrow. The Texel female has been shown three times and was placed second at Balmoral, and first at Ballymena.

Albert and David Connolly, Ballynahinch, with the County Down interbreed beef champion Brigadoon Nebulus at Saintfield Show. Picture: Julie Hazelton

The reserve championship went to an aged Charollais ewe from Jim Bell’s Lornbrook flock based at Comber. She has won three interbreed titles, and five breed championships during the show season.

In the dairy section the interbreed championship went to the Holstein third calver Clandeboye Goldsun Dellia EX91. Owned by Lady Dufferin’s Clandeboye Estate, she was exhibited by herd manager Mark Logan.

Standing in reserve position was the Jersey winner Clandeboye Allstar I Evita EX91. She produced her third calf in December, and is giving 25 litres of milk daily.

Jonny Neill had a day to remember in the beef section, claiming the British Blue championship and going on to win the interbreed beef champion of champions award. His supremo was the October 2015 heifer Rosemount Julia – one of two females in the newly founded herd.

Gail Matchett, Portadown, exhibited the Aberdeen Angus champion at Saintfield Show. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Interbreed judges Adrian Irvine, Des Kelly and Jason Edgar awarded the reserve overall championship to the Limousin leader Ballycairn Noelle, owned by Stephen and Adam McGookin who run a 40-cow herd at Carrickfergus. Born in March 2017 she is by Lynderg Jefferson.

Brian Hunter concluded: “We’ve had very positive feedback about the show, and it is encouraging to see the number of young showmen and women competing in the various classes, especially the handling classes. “

Results from the judging ring:

Pigs

Champion: Samara Radcliffe. Reserve: Amanda Stewart

Sow, any age – 1, Amanda Stewart; 2, Samara Radcliffe; 3, Amanda Stewart.

Senior gilt, Middle White – 1, Amanda Stewart; 2, Christopher Fry; 3, Amanda Stewart.

Senior gilt, any other breed – 1, Amanda Stewart; 2, James Girvan; 3, Christopher Fry.

Junior gilt – 1, James Girvan; 2, Amanda Stewart; 3, Samara Radcliffe.

Senior boar – 1, Samara Radcliffe; 2, Robert Neill.

Robert Montgomery exhibited the reserve Hereford champion Magheraknock Nadia owned by David Smyth, Ballynahinch. Picture: Julie Hazelton

Junior boar – 1, James Girvan.

Goats

Champion: S Wilson. Reserve: George McKeown

Female goat, any other variety – 1, S Wilson; 2, George McKeown.

Goatling, any other variety – 1, George McKeown; 2, and 3, S Wilson.

Female kid, any other breed – 1, and 2, S Wilson.

Group of three – 1, S Wilson.

CATTLE

Supreme Overall Cattle Champion: Jonny Neill (British Blue). Reserve: S McGookin and Sons (Limousin)

Qualifier for Linden Foods and NISA junior heifer championship: S McGookin and Sons(Limousin) and Molly Bradley (Simmental)

County Down Male Beef Championship: WD and JA Connolly (Charolais). Reserve: Paul Elwood (British Blue).

Qualifier for the Bank of Ireland and NISA junior bull championship: WD and JA Connolly (Charolais) and PJ Maginn (Salers)

Young handlers

Handler, under 16 years-old – 1, Lily Neill; 2, Molly Bradley; 3, Jonny Peters.

Handler, aged 16 to 18-years-old – 1, Victoria Johnston.

Handler, aged 18 to 24 years-old – 1, Adam McGookin.

Dairy Cattle

Champion: Clandeboye Estate (Holstein). Reserve: Clandeboye Estate (Jersey).

Cow in-milk – 1, and 2, Clandeboye Estate.

Shorthorn

Champion: Jonny Peters

Heifer – 1, Jonny Peters.

Hereford

Champion: James Graham. Reserve: David Smyth

Cow, any age – 1, James Graham; 2, David Smyth.

Senior heifer – 1, David Smyth

Junior heifer – 1, Colin McCord; 2, James Graham.

Bull, any age – 1, James Graham; 2, Colin McCord.

Calf – 1, Emily Peters; 2, David Smyth; 3, James Graham.

Pair, property of exhibitor – 1, James Graham; 2, David Smyth.

Simmental

Champion: Molly Bradley

Junior heifer – 1, Molly Bradley

Charolais

Champion: Matchett Family. Reserve: Matchett Family.