Royal Welsh

Reserve interbreed champion, Highsky Erin’s Enchantment.

Reserve interbreed honours for Shorthorn champion

JUDGE

Andrew Barrett King’s Lynn, Norfolk Iwas delighted to be asked to judge the Beef Shorthorn classes at the Royal Welsh Show this year and, after two years of disruptions, it was lovely to experience one of the finest agricultural shows in the UK, among fellow enthusiasts. The hospitality was second to none, and the standard of cattle forward was exceptional, both in quality and standard of presentation.

The heatwave certainly tested exhibitors, cattle and everybody involved, including the S4C film crew, and spectators, who could be seen huddled under the few trees around the judging ring.

There were two bulls forward in the senior bull class; the winner on the day was Dunsyre Horatio, brought out by Alan Jackson. A very masculine, correct bull for his years and a worthy winner. Four bulls were forward in the junior bull class, which is always an exciting class to judge as it gives us judges a sneaky preview of what young bulls are available for upcoming sales the following spring. My winner on the day was Headlind Rokaku, a very stylish bull, with great balance and super breed characteristics. A young bull with a promising future. Headlind Rokaku went on to be my male champion.

Out of four cows put forward in the senior cow class, my winner was a red cow, Castlemount Matrix Strawberry, exhibited by Messrs Evans and Price. A clean, modern, stylish young cow with a bonny heifer calf at foot, who typifies where the breed is now. A good udder and excellent locomotion. She went on to become my reserve champion overall.

I’d like to mention the second place cow, a three-year-old cow, Charlesbury Peony Duchess exhibited by Baird, Edwards and Timbrell. For a threeyear-old cow she oozed power yet femininity. Tremendous class and had a real aura about her.

There were seven heifers forward in the two-year-old heifer class, demonstrating different types, which certainly gave me something to think about and provoked discussion. The winner of this class was a two-yearold heifer from Baird Edwards and Timbrell, Elliot Pure Class; a very stylish, roan heifer with good breed characteristics, great locomotion and a very showy animal.

The top three heifers, in my opinion, were the size and stature of what the breed needs, however, the fourth placed heifer wasn in my opinion, too big for the breed. This is particularly apparent as I am writing this judges report in East Anglia where we’ve so far had 12 weeks without rain. A moderately sized cow is more adapted to these types of challenging conditions.

There were 14 junior heifers forward. This was very exhilarating because they were all tremendous in breed type and style. This caused me to rub my chin and scratch my head to work out the placings.

And there she was, Highsky Erin’s Enchantment, impeccably presented by Millie Hendy. Quite honestly, I can’t praise this heifer enough. She had presence, style, balance with femininity and caught my eye from the start. She was a clear winner in this class, who then became female champion, junior champion, breed champion and on the day she was reserve overall interbreed champion.

Huge praise must be given to Millie and Boomer for getting her washed off and prepared again for the interbreed championship, which happened just an hour and a half after the Beef Shorthorn classes were judged.

Junior and overall make champion, Headlind Rokaku.

Native interbreed group of three.

Judge Andrew Barrett presents the breed championship rosette to Millie Hendy with Highsky Erin’s Enchantment.

On reflection, huge praise, admiration and respect is given to all exhibitors, stock people and stewards who participated on the hottest Welsh day on record. With the breed celebrating its 200th year I think the Collins Brothers will be immensely proud with where the breed is 200 years on. It gives me tremendous pride and optimism for the future of the breed.

Results

Bull, born on or before 31 December 2020 1st Dunsyre Horatio Headlind Partners 2nd Caramba Poser M R Souter

Bull, born on or after 1 January 2021 1st Headlind Rokaku

Headlind Partners 2nd Llwynhywel Rolex Messrs Evans and Price 3rd Charlesbury Croaghpatrick Charlesbury Livestock

Female, in milk or in calf born on or before 31 December 2019 1st Castlemount Matrix Strawberry Messrs Evans and Price 2nd Charlesbury Peony Duchess Charlesbury Livestock 3rd Glebedale Krispy Kreme T and K Bodily

Female, born on or between 1 January and 31 December 2020 1st Elliot Pure Class Baird, Edwards and Timbrell 2nd Charlesbury Highland Duchess Charlesbury Livestock 3rd Podehole Gypsy Pansy P A and H M Coles

Female, born on or after 1 January 2021 1st Highsky Erin’s Enchantment Millie Hendy 2nd Millerston Irania Rainbow Rougemont 3rd Jodame Cara Rio M R Souter Judge Rachel Wyllie presiding over the interbreed championship.

Group of Three 1st Baird, Edwards and Timbrell 2nd Headlind Partners

Male champion Headlind Rokaku, Headlind Partners

Reserve male champion Dunsyre Horatio, Headlind Partners

Female champion Highsky Erin’s Enchantment, Millie Hendy

Reserve female champion Castlmount Matrix Strawberry, Messrs Evans and Price

Overall champion Highsky Erin’s Enchantment, Millie Hendy

Reserve overall champion Castlmount Matrix Strawberry, Messrs Evans and Price