THERE was delight for the Stones family – Annie and Mary – of Richmond as they produced the best sheep on the field for the second year running at the Bowes Show. Their Cheviot gimmer shearling came out ahead of Robert Hutchinson’s Swaledale ewe, which picked up the reserve rosette after earlier being judged best Swaledale female and breed champion.
The champion Cheviot also took the terminal breed prize.
Annie Stones was delighted with her sheep’s success.
“She has a broad, long body, is clean white and the Cheviot is known for their shoulders and carcass.
“She is everything you should see in this breed.”
After the recent bad weather, it was a scorcher for exhibitors and spectators who made their way to the show ground at Holme Farm, Gilmonby.
Other notable successes in the sheep ring included the Mule champion, which was shown by Steve Wilson, of Boldron.
Mr Wilson is a retired contractor and has a flock of just 18 sheep.
However, his gimmer lamb impressed judge Mark Wearmouth.
Among the less familiar breeds, a Ryeland, shown by seven-year-old Wren Wise, from Darlington won the section for any other native breeds.
The champion is one of four Ryelands looked after by the youngster on the family farm – chosen for its gentle nature – where Charollais are the main flock.
The cattle ring pitted shorthorns against Highlands.
It was the Highlands that came out on top. A heifer born in 2020 named Milis III of Seam, shown by Matthew Iceton, took the rosette and sash.
Best of the shorthorns and reserve overall champion was a 2021-born heifer, Jodame Cara Rio, shown by Megan Souter.
Among the horses competing were two out for the first time shown by Jo Van Kampen, from Barningham.
Half brother and sister Axl and Folly are American quarter horses. Two-year-old Axl came first in the foreign pure breed or part breed section, with Folly picking up a third place.
In the Dales Pony classes, the Eccles family, from Middleton-in-Teesdale, were out in force picking up rosettes, while regular visitors the Cockbains also enjoyed success in the Dales and Fell Pony sections.
Woodland’s Nicky Stanier showed off her eight-year-old Shetland pony Lakehead Elloquence to good effect in the mountain and moorland section.
However, the winner in the Sheltand Pony section was regular visitor Michael Barugh’s 15-year-old Felicity’s Fleur.
Mr Barugh said he enjoyed making the journey from his home in East Yorkshire each year to meet up with other breed enthusiasts and enjoy the day out.
The open dog show produced its usual huge number of entries.
Reserve champion Blue, a Newfoundland, was judged the champion large pet and owner Mark Popplewell explained how the five-year-old was enjoying a new lease of life.
“He was a rescue dog from Ireland and he has now trained as a therapy dog, going into hospitals and other places as part of Therapy Dogs Nationwide.”
The champion dog was two-and-a-half year old Ted, a working-type Lakeland Terrier. In the produce tent, there was joy for mum and son Rosie and Alfie Seymour. Eleven-year-old Alfie’s decorated cupcakes were judged best junior exhibit in produce while Rosie bagged the prize for the adults with her Victoria sponge showstopper. Among the familiar faces enjoying success was Lynn Todhunter, who picked up the silverware for most points in the show after submitting more than 20 entries. Todhunters were also successful in the tractor section.
Anthony Todhunter won the champion tractor prize for his 1962 Massey Ferguson 35, while son Matthew picked up the cup for the best unrestored tractor with his 1963 Massey Ferguson X35.
A fortnight ago, Matthew’s vehicle also won the prize at the Bowes Show tractor run.
In the pre-1960 category, Aidan Marmont took first place with an FE 35 from 1957. Alongside the competitions, there was a host of entertainment, including some daredevil displays by Ian Drummond and Brett Penfold of the 3Sixty bicycle team, a display of gun dog skills and once again Bowes Show hosted the Northern Sheep Dog trials.
