9 of the best pictures from the Balmoral Show
Thousands of visitors flocked to Northern Ireland’s biggest agricultural event, the Balmoral Show, at the Maze this week (11-13 May).
The event was so successful that organisers may extend it to last four days next year.
See also: Charollais wins interbreed title at Balmoral Show
A highlight of the three-day event was the quality livestock on display, with history made in the beef ring when the Martin family won the interbreed for the first time with a British Blue.
1. Father and son James and Sam Martin were delighted when their home-bred British Blue won the interbreed beef championship.
© Robert Smith
2. There was a strong line-up of Suffolks on the first day of the show (Wednesday, 11 May), with more than 20 animals competing.
© Robert Smith
3. Nathan Glen from Ballynahinch had lots of fun in the National Sheep Association pavilion riding on a new green breed of sheep.
© Robert Smith
4. Alex Hutchinson from Comber, County Down, was snapped preparing her Blue Texel for the showring.
© Nathan-Glen-from-Ballynahinch-(1)
5. In the Limousin ring, This Farming Life star Martin Irvine was on hand to judge the classes. He awarded the Limousin championship to Philip Green, Lisburn, County Down.
© Robert Smith
6. Another star from the TV-hit series, John Scott, judged the Beltex class.
John-Scott judging the Beltex competition
7. Janet Carson, Strabane, County Tyrone, with her beloved Blue Texel.
© Robert Smith
8. Clive Richardson and his daughter Sophie from Enniskillen with their ewe lamb awaiting the judge’s decision. She won first prize.
© Robert Smith
9. Judge Berwyn Hughes from Ceredigion deliberates over the commercial beef class.
© Robert Smith