July 2015
July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – Yorkshire & Anglia
Sunday 24 May saw both the Yorkshire and Anglia regions events.
The Yorkshire and North East club qualifier was hosted at Alwent Hall, Staindrop Road, Winston, Darlington, Co Durham, by kind invitation T Nesbitt & Son. The day included the Morgan cars owner’s club show and young breeders and adults were able to judge both cattle and cars with prizes for both, the afternoon was finished off with hot pork and ham rolls and puds being served. Thank you to the Nesbit family for hosting and organising the day as well as the judge Peter Vasey.
The weekend was completed by the Anglia regional day which was held by kind invitation of Graham and Suzanne Robinson at Sheepwalk Farm, Elton, Cambridgeshire, who we would like to thank for organising and hosting the day and providing a lovely lunch. We would also like to thank the Judge was Richard McInnis from the Twomacs herd.
July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – Northern Ireland
The bank holiday weekend of the 23 and 24 May began with the Northern Ireland Club day which was sponsored by United Feeds. The event was hosted at Brigadoon, Ballnahinch, Co Down by kind invitation of Albert, Marie and David Connolly and Maggie McQuiston on the Saturday.
The day included skills workshops on animal nutrition hosted by Sam Watson & Andrew McMordie from United Feeds; halter making with Ian Balfour and Ian Rea; dressing demonstrations with Sean McGovern; show ring skills with David Connolly; animal husbandry with Vet Gareth Bell and fun and games with a mini JCB with Mervyn McKeown. This was followed by the stockjudging for qualification into the National final and an open competition and farm walk.
We were then treated to a BBQ which helped raise funds for the NI Hospice as its charity. We would like to thank the regional secretary Ann Orr and her assistant Tanya, regional co-ordinator Clodagh McGovern, judges Ben Sinnamon and Alan Morrison, and club members who helped to make the day a success but especially to the Connolly family.
David Connolly and Sister Maggie McQuiston with judges Ben Sinnamon and Alan Morrison
July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – North East & Central Scotland
Finally the North East & Central Scotland stockjudging day was held at Airdlin Farm, Ellon by kind permission of Kevin & Jackie Mallarkey and family on Sunday 31st May.
This year’s competition was a huge success yet again with over 35 youngsters competing in their sections with the furthest travelled competitors all the way from Orkney! The event was kindly sponsored by ABP, Perth and Frank Ross, General Manager was there on the day to give a discussion on the VIA System within ABP and answer questions from the competitors. The master judges for the day were
Walter Wylie & Bert Taylor.
The day was made up of various sections – Carcase Classification & VIA System discussion with Frank Ross, General Manager ABP Perth, Haltermaking & Tying Up with Ian Matthews, Clipping & Dressing with Neil Caul & Allen Drysdale, Showing Demonstration with Kay Adam.
The judging of the three classes made up of cows, heifers and steers was the main part of the day and Tracey Nicoll gave a coaching session on how to do stockjudging reasons.
Regional Co-Ordinator – Carly Mackay said “we are totally thrilled at how the young breeder’s day has gone this year the enthusiasm from the competitors is just great to see and has left the committee and myself looking forward to next year’s event already!! We also can’t thank our host’s the Mallarkey family enough for all the hard work that has gone into organising this day for our club. We wish the winner’s and runners up all the very best of luck for the finals in Birmingham”.
Senior team – Ellis Mutch & Abbie Anderson
Intermediate team – William Moir & Dean Smith
Junior Winner – Erin Duncan & Edward Scott
July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – Midlands & Wales
On Saturday 30th it was the turn of the Welsh and Midlands regions who hosted a joint event at Tynewydd, Foel, Powys, by kind invitation of Arwel Owen. The day included a stock preparation demonstration by judge Wil Owen, herd tour with beautiful scenery and a lovely lunch of hot pork rolls and cakes. Regional coordinators Andrew and his wife Vickie and Drew Patrick worked very hard to make the day a huge success.
Midlands
Senior team – Charlotte Platt & Joe Platt
Team two – George Hollinshead & Oliver Robinson
Wales
Mixed age team – Dyfrig Williams & Ifan Davies
Senior team one – Sion Ellis & Drew Patrick
Senior team two – Ruth Corbett & Thomas Corbett
Junior Winner Bedwyr Sienays
July 1, 2015 Regional Qualifier Days 2015 – Border Club
The last weekend in May saw the last of the regional qualifiers for the National Stockjudging Competition take place and it began on Friday 29th in the Borders. The event was held by kind invitation of Peter and Vanessa Vasey at Holme House, Wetheral, Carlisle and the master judge was Steve Nesbitt of the Alwent herd.
Senior team – Edwin Holliday & Stuart Hird
Mixed aged team – Kelly Stott & Finlay Souter
Junior team – Robert Stott & Harry Stobart