Weekend slot criticism
Weekend slot criticism
By Jonathan Long
ONE of the few shows to go ahead last year without livestock returned last week, with a full complement of stock. While the decision to move the Kent Show to a full weekend slot did result in a bumper crowd, it was not popular with many exhibitors and stewards, with many suggesting that if it were repeated next year they would be unlikely to return.
The Kent Show has a unique twist on traditional cattle interbreed judging, pitting the best of the dairy section against the top entry in the beef classes to produce a supreme cattle champion. This year the dairy champion, an Ayrshire cow from Maggie Howies herd based at Wrotham, Sevenoaks, took the top award ahead of the beef champion.
Miss Howie had swept the board in the dairy classes, taking champion and reserve spot in the Ayrshire breed classes before securing both titles in the dairy interbreed competition.
In the Dexter classes, Diana Smith continued her successful show season by taking champion and reserve spot when her cows Moomin Marigold and Moomin Pollydoodle reversed their Royal placings with 1993-born Pollydoodle taking the top spot.
The beef lines were dominated by the local Sussex breed which topped the entries and scooped the interbreed title with a cow from Mike Hinds Mayfield herd. The cow Maplesden Snowdrop 15 was purchased at Mike Reeds Mapelsden herd dispersal and stood reserve breed champion at this years Royal Show.
Taking second spot in the beef lines was Limousin heifer Miscombe Raven from Buriton Estates Miscombe herd based in Petersfield, Hants.
Sheep interbreed judging resulted in a first interbreed title at a major show for Caes Kniestedts Bushleigh Suffolk flock. Mr Kniestedts shearling ewe, shown by shepherd Malcolm Stevens, is an AI daughter of leading sire Pankymoor Prelude. Reserve to the Suffolk was John Coultrips Romney ram from his Wingfield flock based at Faversham.
In the Texel classes there was a double celebration for exhibitor Katie Potter. On the Wednesday before the show she celebrated the birth of her first child and two days later her father David led an aged ram from her Wytherling flock to the flocks first breed championship.
Charles Bulls Berkshire gilt Morebread Louise 17, shown by his daughter Stephanie, followed on from her Royal Show success by clinching the champion ticket in the Open pig classes. Mr Bull also tasted success in the cattle classes, winning the commercial championship with his Limousin cross steer.
RESULTS
BEEF CATTLE
Interbreed M Hinds Sussex cow Maplesden Snowdrop 15; res, Buriton Estates Limousin heifer Miscombe Raven.
Blonde dAquitaine Newnham Herds cow Newnham Lintie; res, P A de Giles bull Bilsington Rocky.
British Charolais R Taylors heifer Rumsden Solitaire; res, R Taylors bull Rumsden Samurai.
British Simmental A Jukes bull Swallowhill Marshall; res, A Jukes heifer Swallowhill Liberty.
Hereford Noel and Snellings bull Sarabande Ferrari; res, Noel & Snellings cow Sarabande Emma.
Limousin Buriton Estates heifer Miscombe Raven; res, M E Davis bull Gotham Pilgrim.
Sussex M Hinds cow Maplesden Snowdrop 15; res, Brookside Garden Centres cow Irene 6 of Teryle.
Any Other Breed Continental C Collins Belgian Blue heifer Dublmsl Rebecca; res, C Collins Belgian Blue heifer Dublmsl Stephanie.
Any Other Breed Native Old Barn Farms Aberdeen Angus bull Old Barn Prince Camelot; res, G * Wilds Longhorn cow Leebarn Oxslip.
Crossbred Beef C Bulls Limousin x steer; res, P A de Giles Blonde dAquitaine x heifer.
DAIRY CATTLE
Interbreed M Howies Ayshire cow Douglasss Nelly; res, M Howies Ayshire heifer Ridley Hill Ester 2.
Ayrshire M Howies cow Douglasss Nelly; res, M Howies heifer Ridley Hill Ester 2.
Dexter D L Smiths cow Moomin Pollydoodle; res, D L Smiths cow Moomin Marigold.
Holstein J Warnock & Sons cow Burgate Judy 334; res, Boty Farms cow Hernehouse Vulcan Jubilee 2.
Jersey D R Daws cow Minty Imperials Holly; res, D R Daws cow Minty Lesters Honeysuckle.
PIGS
Commercial pigs P B Banks; res, PBBanks.
Open pig classes C Bulls Berkshire gilt; res, .
SHEEP
Interbreed C Kniedstedts Suffolk shearling ewe; res, J Coultrips Romney ram.
Romney J Coultrips ram; res, P * & P E Skinners pair of yearling ewes.
Southdown S Ponds pair of shearling rams; res, B & V Rideouts shearling ewe.
Suffolk C Kniedstedts shearling ewe; res, P Rycrafts ewe lamb.
Jacob F F Higgins shearling ewe; res, P A Marlow Spaldings ram lamb.
Texel K V P Potters ram; res, Morrison & Taylors ram lamb.
British Down D & J Masters Hamphire Down shearlign ram; res, D & J Masters Hampshire Down ram lamb.
Lleyn D F & O M Bonds shearling ram; res, J & P Coultaurds ewe lamb.
Bleu du Maine J R L Burys ewe lamb; res, J R L Burys shearling ewe.
Charollais V Miles shearling ewe; res, P J & * M Longs shearling ram.
Any Other Continental J Metianus Rouge de lOuest shearling ram; res, J Metianus Rouge de lOuest shearling ewe.
Any Other Pure Breed Randall & Mitchells Bluefaced Leicester ewe lamb; res, R Beechers Kerry Hill shearling ewe.
Commercial Prime Lambs A Heads Texel cross; res, O A Danes-Volkovs Charollais cross. *
Nice one, Nelly…Maggie Howies Ayrshire cow Douglass Nelly picked up the interbreed dairy title and went on to claim the overall cattle championship ahead of the beef champion.
A Suffolk shearling ewe by leading sire Panky- moor Prelude scooped a first interbreed win for the Bushleigh flock.