Interbreed Champions at the Royal Bath and West Show

Roweena Knight’s pair of Hampshire Down Ewe Lambs triumphed in the sheep ring at this week’s Royal Bath and West. The pair were sired by Owslebury Umpire, a ram owned by joint handler, Chris Westlake.

Judge Francis Fooks, complemented Ms Knight on breeding such a consistent pair. “To get a pair that both handle so perfectly in the body is exceptional.”

In the reserve spot was Mr M Scott’s Devon Close Wool ram. He was shown by Terry Aitkins and bred by Leonard Richards of Breyford. The ram comes from winning breed champion at the Devon County Show and was heading to the Royal Show next.

 Scooping the dairy interbreed champion was Jenny and Barry Daw’s Jersey, Bluegrass Bombers Debbie by W F Brook Bomber and out of Bluegrass Councillors Debra.

She was picked by judge, James Warren, for her dairyness, openness of rib and tremendous udder. The four year old is giving 25kg milk/day and averaging 5.46% fat and 3.81% protein, said Mrs Daw. “She calved on Christmas eve, so we are hoping she keeps milking so we can show her at the Dairy Event.”

The Holstein, Normead Millenium Carmen, shown by C B Cooper Partnership, claimed the reserve prize. She is by Normead Millenium and out of Ultra Gen Labelle Carmen and has had six calves, giving 80 tonnes of milk.

Claiming the top spot in the beef ring was Charlie Mclean’s Charolais cow, Mortimers Urovision. The six year old won Reserve Supreme at the Surrey County show and Supreme at Edenbridge and will be heading to the Highland Show next. She was selected for her power, breed character and good locomotion.

In reserve was Christine Williams and Paul Tippetts’s 12 month old Limousin heifer, Wilodge Diamante. She is by Wilodge Vantastic and out of Wilodge Amethyst and comes from winning Supreme Pedigree Champion at the Beef Expo, Malvern.

The White pig champion, a Large White, took home the title of supreme pig interbreed champion. Prestleigh Prince 4, by Portbredy Prince 1066 was bred and shown by nineteen year old, Tom Newth.

Mr Newth comes from a keen pig breeding family, with sister Alice Newth helping with the handling in the ring. Mr Newth has been showing since the age of eight, but this is the first time he’s entered into a major interbreed.

 In reserve was the coloured champion British Saddleback, Brydges Babble 170, bred and shown by Deborah Beeby. Mrs Beeby has been breeding Saddlebacks for seven years but, only started showing three years ago. Having won Supreme at West Moorland Show, the sow was now heading to The Three Counties Show, The Royal, The Cheshire Show and the Yorkshire Show.

 It was a very tight decision, said judge Jeremy Barber. “Both were exceptional examples of their breed, but on the day, the Large White just walked a little freer.”