ROYAL NORTHERN SPRING SHOW
Bright spring weather greeted the 5000-plus show goers attending the Royal Northern
Spring Show at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.
There was a real buzz about the event as farmers thronged through the record number of
trade stands and machinery displays and packed the ringside for the show of exhibition
cattle which is always the highlight of the show.
The huge turnout of horses and ponies was also a major attraction and resulted in keen
competition for the top honours.
“As always, it was a great day out for the farming community with something to interest
everyone,” said RNAS president, John Sim. “The show of cattle, sheep and horses and ponies
was outstanding and the trade stands were busy from morning ‘til night.”
The show of more than 200 horses and pones saw the overall championship being awarded
to the Highland pony champion, the four year old stallion, Glenbanchor Gillebrighde, by
Moss-side Quercus Rubra, from Westertown gardener, John Reid, 1 Jackstown Cottages,
Rothienorman.
The stallion has a long record of success in the showring since being acquired by Mr Reid as
a foal, including Highland pony champion at the show three years ago, reserve breed
champion at the Royal Highland Show and native breeds champion at the Black Isle Show as
a two year old and champion at the Aberdeen Highland pony show last year.
“I could not look past the Highland pony,” said judge, Pauline Coghill, Stemster House,
Halkirk, Caithness. “He’s the best put together of all the champions with exceptional
conformation.”
Overall reserve was the champion of the pony section, Cosford Persona, a five year old
stallion by Stanley Grange Cocktail, shown by Claire Smiddy Croft, Pitgair, Fisherie, Turriff.
Back in the cattle lines, top honours went to Colin Stuart, Belnoe, Chapelton, Ballindalloch,
who won his first championship at the show with a home-bred six month old Limousin cross
heifer, Miss Molly, named after his 10 year old daughter.
“She’s something special and one to watch for the future,” said judge, Paul Barwood from
Great Yarmouth.
The heifer tipped the scales at 314kg and is the first calf to be sold sired by the new privately
purchased stock bull in the 100-cow strong Belnoe suckler herd, Ballinloan Geronimo. She
sold for the second top price of £3800 to Gordon Hendry, Heads of Auchinderran, Aultmore,
Keith.
Reserve overall cattle champion was also a Limousin cross heifer from Michael and Mark
Robertson, Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul. This 408kg heifer, bred by H Ross, Craigwillie,
Huntly, is being retained by the Robertson’s for their 110-cow suckler herd and is likely to be
shown at the summer shows.
It was a successful show for regular championship winners, John and Craig Robertson,
Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry, who showed three of the four first prize winners competing
for the steer championship and went on to take the top award with a 398kg Limousin cross,
Cameron, by Cowtham Justice, which sold for £3200 to Orkney mart yardsman, Andrew
Laird, Mossbank, Burray.
The father and son due also claimed the top price of £4000 for a first prize, year-old
Limousin cross heifer by Silex, purchased by Kinlochbervie fish merchant, Donald Morrison,
Cairn Nulla, Burnside, who will be looking to emulate his championship success at last year’s
Aberdeen Christmas Classic.
The only other price over £2000 was £3000 paid by Anita Padfield, Great Yarmouth, for a
fourth prize Limousin cross heifer by Corsairtly Findlay shown by Darren Davidson,
Netherton Farm, Keith, and bred by Stuart Rainnie, Loanhead, Logie Coldstone.
Reserve steer champion was a Limousin cross by Kype Elliote from Monzie Farms,
Gilmerton, Crieff, which sold for £1800 to Monzie stockman, Wilson Peters, who also paid
£1700 for a third prize Charolais x British Blue/Simmental heifer by Carwood Elgin, also from
Monzie.
A total of 25 out of the 41 exhibition sold compared with 33 last year, with 11 heifers
averaging £4.94/kg and £2045.45/head and 14 steers £3.40/kg and £1469.29/head.