Northern Ireland Blue Cattle Club Calf Show – Moira

ULSTER BLUES 43 SHADES OF EXCELLENCE!

“The 40 shades of green I expected in Northern Ireland, but finding 43 shades of excellence at the province’s British Blue Calf Show was a real treat,” judge Keith Belfield revealed.
“There was not a single entry that was not excellent so this was one of my toughest ever judging assignments,” added Keith, who awarded the Meat Joint Championship to Springhill Electric, a bull shown by Martin Brothers, Newtownards, Co. Down.

At the event hosted by Willie Wilson in Moira Arena the Meat Joint Reserve Championship went home with Kilkeel, Co Down breeder James Annett, exhibitor of the heifer Snowy Ridge Emerald.

Back on the family farm near scenic Buxton in Derbyshire Keith and wife Janet run the Boothlow British Blue Herd, a crossbred suckler herd and pedigree Texel sheep, though their two sons have moved on to found a Beltex Flock.

The NI British Blue Calf Championships, sponsored by the Meat Joint Antrim, results in full were;

Class one, bull 10 – 12 months
1. Andrew Craig, Woodview Dominion, Coleraine, Co Londonderry, 2.Corrina & Ivan Gordon, Spring Bank Dancer, Kilkeel, 3. James Annett, Snowy Ridge Dollar, Kilkeel.

Class two, bull 7 – 9 months
1. Martin Brothers, Springhill Electric, Newtownards, 2. Jim Ervine, Knockagh Delacey, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. 3. James Annett, Snowy Ridge Everest.

Class three, bull 4 – 6 months
1. Ian Wallace, Parklands Evanise, Annalong, Co Down/

Class four, bull 0 – 3 months
1. Mel Lucas, Lukeroyal Elvis, Antrim, Co Antrim, 2. Ernest, Rebecca & Naomi Gregg, Ballybollen Elf, Ahoghill, Co Antrim, 3. Ernest, Rebecca & Naomi Gregg, Ballybollen Elliott.

Class five, heifer 10 – 12 months
1. Jim Ervine, Knockagh Darling, 2. Andrew Craig, Woodview Diamond, 3. Jim Ervine, Knockagh Dream Girl.

Class six, heifer 7 – 9 months
1. James Annett, Snowyridge Emerald, 2. Andrew Craig, Woodview Dianna, 3. Jim Ervine, Knockagh Divine.

Class seven, heifer 4 – 6 months
1. Jason & Jennifer Edgar, Ballyhassett Eventually, Downpatrick, Co Down, 2. Harold McKee, Blackford Eminence, Kilkeel, Co Down, 3. James Ervine, Knockagh Elegant.

Class eight, heifer 0 – 3 months
1. Andrew Craig, Woodview Ellie, 2. Andrew Craig, Woodview Eclipse, 3. Ernest, Rebecca & Naomi Gregg, Ballybollen Ellie-Mae.

Antrim butcher Colin Harbinson of the Meat Joint likewise sponsored the British Blues NI Young handlers Competition judged by Janet Belfield, a lady clearly impressed with the enthusiastic stock showing skills on display.

Sam Martin from Newtownards winning the senior class aged 12 to 16 years with Ellie Edgar, Downpatrick first in the class for those aged between eight and 12. The under eight class award going to Thomas James Wallace of Annalong.

Naomi Gregg who was 2nd in the young handlers 12-16

Show champion went to James Martin and Family pictured with Colin Harbinson from the meat Joint in Antrim with his children

Colin Harbinson from th emeat joint Antrim presents James Martin with show champion

James and Gloria Annett female champion and reserve champion with Colin and Chloe Harbinson from the Meat Joint Antrim

Laura Ervine class 5 winner with Harold McKee

Stephen O Kane showing for Andrew Craig Class 1 winner with judge Keith Belfield

Mel Lucas Class 4 winner with Adam Noble showing included is judge Keith Belfield and his son's Tom and Jack

Renna Craig and Robert Craig Class 8 winner with judge Keith Belfield

Ian Wallace James and Rebecca Wallace Class 3 winner

Jennifer and Jason Edgar Class 7 winner

Ellie Edgar 8-12 years young handler

James and Gloria Annett Class 2 winner with Judge Keith Belfield

Sam Martin young handler winner 13-16 years with judge Janet Belfield

Emily Martin from Newtownards with her show champion included is Colin Harbinson from the Meat Joint Antrim who sponsored the championship

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