A FARMING couple from Eggleston will clock up the miles this year when they exhibit at all three of Britain’s largest agricultural shows.
Simon and Emma Haley, who breed Highland cattle, plan to compete at the Royal Highland Show, in Scotland, the Great Yorkshire Show, in England, and the Royal Welsh Show, in Wales, within the space of a few weeks.
The challenge will see them cover about 1,500 miles.
They will be taking along three of their top beasts, including Sineag Dubh of Seam (known as Sophie), yearling Fionnghal III of Culloden and star bull Murphy of Seam.
The challenge begins with the Royal Highland Show, at Edinburgh, which begins on Friday, June 24, followed two weeks later by the Great Yorkshire Show, on Tuesday, July 12.
Mr Haley said: “This year it is a four day show at the Great Yorkshire Show so it finishes on Friday and I have to be at the Royal Welsh Show the next day.”
Mr Haley and the animals will travel directly to Wales from Yorkshire, while his wife will pop home for fresh clothes and supplies before joining her husband.
He added: “It is going to be a pretty hard month.”
His big hope for success is Murphy of Seam who was home-bred from the sire Brogach of Gilden Vale and dam Margret of Seam, and became classed as a yearling on New Year’s Day.
Mr Haley said: “We try to get all of ours born around new year for the potential for them to grow in size.”
The beast won the inter-breed bull championship at the Eggleston Show last year.
Mr Haley said: “Even as a little calf he beat two big bulk bulls. The judge said he was the best bull had ever seen.
“He is the best bull we have ever bred. Everything about him says ‘I am a bull’.”
He added that it is not only his shape that makes him such a great beast, but also his temperament and growth.
Also, an advantage is Murphy’s show experience having been led around with his mother at numerous events last year, getting used to the noise and bustle of the environment.
Mr Haley added that even with a lot of home training, the show environment can upset an animal and make it unmanageable.
He said: “A lot of showing is just love and trust between the animal and the person leading them.”
The couple will be keeping Murphy on for breeding purposes. Mr Haley said: “We will put him with one [cow] or possibly two as a yearling – that will prove him, but won’t tire him out.”
