Fifty two finalists from nine UK regions battled it out at the British Charolais Young Breeders’ Stock Judging Competition sponsored by Weatherbys, hosted as part of the inaugural National Charolais Show at the Livestock Event, NEC, Birmingham, on Thursday 4 July.
Winning the senior 19 to 26 year old section and the prize of an international trip was Gerard McShane, Strabane, County Tyrone, with 148 points out of 150. Twenty two year old Gerard, whose plans for the future are to carry on working with the family’s 10 cow pedigree Altnaderog Charolais herd with an additional 40 commercial cows, said: “I competed in stock judging for the first time at the finals last year so I’m really pleased with this result and look forward to helping my family breed even better show cattle in the future.”
Winner of the special 18 to 21 year old class, requiring the top six competitors to give their reasons to master judge Alasdair Houston in the hope of winning the prize of a trip to the Agribition Show in Canada, was 20 year old Karyn McArthur, Balfron Station, Glasgow. She has just completed her final exams to become a veterinary nurse and helps out on the family farm where Charolais bulls are used over the 80 cow suckler herd. Karyn, who has won a previous stock judging title with Young Farmers as a junior, commented: “I feel very lucky to have won such an amazing prize and I can’t wait for my trip to Canada in November!”
In the intermediate 15 to18 year old section, the top spot was secured with 148 points by 15 year old Stephen Taylor, Bannockburn, Stirling, who has tasted victory at national stock judging events previously. Stephen, who helps his father working for the Falleninch herd, said: “It’s great to win for the Scottish region. I’ve got a year left at school before I go on to agricultural college and would like to work with cattle in the future, so this win has given me a great boost.” Stephen also made up half of the highest place pair, winning the historic Fairway Trophy with Andrew Morton, Carronbridge, Denny.
George Hollinshead, Crewe, Cheshire, sealed first place in the junior 8 to 14 year old section with 143 points. The 14 year old was delighted with his win: “Apart from a go locally earlier this year, this is the first time I’ve done something like this, so I’m really surprised. We have six pedigree Charolais and 50 commercial cows at home and I’m definitely hoping to go on to college then work on the family farm in the future.”
Master judge Alasdair Houston said: “It was great to see so many stock judging youngsters and future breeders in the ring and to hear the fantastic reasons that many of them gave for their placings.”
Katreen Millar, National Charolais Youth coordinator, was thrilled with the turnout: “I really want to congratulate everyone that took part, it was a fantastic finale to the first year of the National Charolais Youth programme and we’re looking forward to planning the next few events for our young breeders.”
British Charolais Young Breeders’ Stock Judging Competition results
Placing |
Region |
Name |
Points |
Junior | |||
1 |
Midlands |
George Hollinshead |
143 |
2 |
Scotland |
Andrew Adam |
139 |
3 |
South East |
Donald Maclean |
137 |
Intermediate | |||
1 |
Scotland |
Stephen Taylor |
148 |
2 |
Yorkshire & North East |
Chris Walker |
142 (ahead on reasons) |
3 |
Scotland |
William Moir |
142 |
Senior | |||
1 |
Northern Ireland |
Gerard McShane |
148 |
2 |
Scotland |
Karyn McArthur |
145 (ahead on reasons) |
3 |
Border |
Cameron Harrison |
145 |
Team | |||
1 |
Scotland |
Andrew Morton and Stephen Taylor |
286 |
2 |
Midlands |
George Hollinshead and Joe Platt |
285 |
3= |
Northern Ireland |
Gerard McShane and Kevin Reavy |
284 |
3= |
Scotland |
Suzie Dunn and Karyn McArthur |
284 |
Fairway Trophy winners from Scotland, Andrew Morton & Stephen Taylor with Alasdair Houston, John Flynn & Rebecca from sponsors Weatherbys and Society President Ralph Needham
Winner of the trip to Agribition Show in Canada is Karyn McArthur
The Senior Section 19 -26 winner from Northern Ireland Gerard McShane
Intermediate Section 15 -18 winner Stephen Taylor from Scotland
Winner of the 8 -14 Junior section – George Hollinshead from the Midlands
Categories: Charolais Youth, News
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