Teenager reigns supreme at NI commercial show

At just 13 years old, Bartley Finnegan from Dungannon secured the Supreme Championship at the NI Commercial Cattle Exhibitor Club’s Summer Spectacular with his Limousin heifer Drumflugh Lady.

Under judge  Mike Alford, Devon  this October 2010 born heifer  tipped the scales at 437 kg and was only bought earlier this summer by Bartley and his dad in the southern Ireland.

Standing in the Reserve spot was Rockafella, bred and exhibited by James Alexander, Randalstown. This Hightown Cassius son weighed in at 408kg on the day. He had earlier picked up the Male Championship and Reserve Limousin Championship for the Jalex team, which picked up a string of awards at the show.

This is the 7^th in a series of Annual shows staged by the NICCEC, and was hailed by many as the best to date. Spectators poured into the Balmoral venue from early morning to watch the cream of Ulster‘s commercial cattle compete for the overall titles.

There was fierce competition in the Calf Championships where Alan Veitch claimed victory with his Doonally New sired Charolais heifer  Dirty Dancer.  Out of a Blue cow this 288kg home bred calf is a full sister to this year’s Clogher Show Champion heifer.  Later in the day this youngster secured the Reserve Charolais Championship.

Nigel and Sandra Cochrane brought out their Goldies Oswald daughter Gigglebizz to lay claim to the Reserve Calf Championship. This smart heifer weighing 258kg, is out of the 2009 Dunbia Butcher’s Champion also bred by the Cochrane duo.

Banbridge butcher Jim Quail stepped into the judging ring to place the Dunbia Butcher’s Heifer Championship. Entries here must fit between the weights ranges of 480 to 540kg.  Standing top of the line was the father and son team of Dermot and Gareth Small, Kilkeel with their Limousin heifer  Red Lace. Sired by an imported French bull and out of a former Blue show heifer this lady now heads to the Scottish Winter Fair and Smithfield later this year.

This Butchers Champion then teamed up with her stable mate to secure the Pairs Competition judged by Mike Alford. This Limousin steer is out of  the noted Tic Tac and by Shaton Pedro. Reserve pair was James Alexander with his well matched Black N Blue Diesel calves Bootylicious and “Dirty Bit”.

Pearce McNamee travelled from County Donegal to place the breed championships at the Summer Spectacular. These saw very strong entries forward with the Charolais the first to be decided. Winner here was Paul Rainey from Kilrea with his heavy heifer J-Lo weighing in at 618kg.

Alastair Crawford and Richard Beattie lifted the Limousin Championship with their heifer Red Ruby, with Black Dynamite securing the British Blue title for Keith Williamson, Benburb. Reserve Blue was Dirty Bit from the Jalex team of James Alexander, Randalstown.

The British Blonde Championship was awarded to Alan Farlow for his home bred heifer Hillview Peppa with Newtownards based Gareth Corrie securing the reserve spot.

Jack Smyth enjoyed a great days showing notching up both the Aberdeen Angus and Hereford Championships. Sam Matchett and Derek and Alan McCrea were in the reserve spots respectively.

The final breed championship was the Any Other Breed class, won by Lynsey Lawrence and Stephen O’Kane with their Parthenaise heifer Snowball. Enthusiastic young members Aaron and Gerard Campbell, Lisburn took the reserve spot with their Beef shorthorn heifer Bubbles.