Royal Ulster Agriculture Show 2007

An increased entry of Herefords at the RUAS Balmoral, Belfast , Northern Ireland including 8 entries from members of the Irish Hereford Society South of the border, saw a strong turnout for judge Mr Cecil Beatty from Dungannon, Co, Tyrone. There was consistently high quality with good numbers in all classes. The classes also included some useful animals purchased south of the border and a number of exhibits including the Supreme Champion sired by bulls bred there also. This is the first time since the welcome re-opening of the border that cattle from the Republic could travel north and have the option to return home since the debacle of BSE etc. in the UK .

	Graceland 1 Andrew a 3 ½ year old bull from Aaron Patterson, Killinchy was awarded the Male and Supreme Championship. He is sired by Bor Tona bred by our own Michael & Martina Reynolds of Bornacoola Co, Leitrim and bred by Robin Irvine of Whitescross, Co Armagh . Andrew a regular prize winner on last years show circuit in Northern Ireland has developed well in the intervening period.
The Reserve Supreme Championship went to the Female Champion, Solpoll 1 Starlet B10, exhibited by John McMordie, Ballygowan. This 2 year old Heifer on her show ring debut was sired by Seaconpoll 1 Rumpus a former Balmoral Champion. Reserve Supreme & Female Champion “Solpoll 1 Starlet B10” exhibited by John McMordie.
Coote Geelan of Dromod Co, Leitrim exhibited Woodview Daragh the second prize winner to Andrew in the senior bull class. Second prize winner to the Male and Supreme Champion “Woodview Daragh” owner Coote Geelan.

Dorepoll 1 60G Chinook was the Reserve Male Champion and winner of the Intermediate Bull class. Sired by JSF Nibbs 60G, this 17 month old imported Canadian embryo was exhibited by JE , RI & W Haire , Dundrod.

Reserve Female Champion went to the winner of the cow class, Ballynalough 1 Pansy, a 6 year old Ballynalough 1 Rumpole daughter exhibited by George Logan & Sons, Templepatrick. The second prize winner in the cow class was Fairyhouse Sarah exhibited by George Stanley Fairyhouse, Ratoath, Co Meath. George has kindly provided major sponsorship for a Heifer of the year competition which will have qualifiers at over 20 shows this summer with the final at Trim on the first Sunday in September.

Solpoll 1 Chieftain from John McMordie took the Junior Championship. This 14 month old winner of the Junior Bull class is a son of the 2006 Bull of the Year Udel 1 R51 Vindicator bred by David & Daithi Carroll, Coole, Campile, Co, Wexford. The Reserve Junior Champion came from the Junior Heifer class, Cloonbracken Eleanor, a 16 month old daughter of BCD 42L Standard Lad 417S bred by Richard O'Beirne, Kilconly, Tuam, Co Galway and exhibited by Messers Haire.

The Intermediate Heifer class was won by A & S Irvine, Trillick with Pallas 1 Ultimate Eva a 17 month old daughter of Solpoll 1 Ultimate, the 2006 Sire of the Year.

The Group of 3 animals went to John McMordie, with JE , RI & W Haire taking second and third went to David Wilson, Magheraveely.

The Progeny Pair by the same sire saw two pairs by Udel 1 R51 Vindicator from John McMordie take first and second, with a Glaslough Captain pair from David Wilson claim third.

Vindicator was bred by David & Daithi Carroll of Co, Wexford while Glaslough Captain was bred by S & N Heatrick, Glaslough, Co, Monaghan.

The Hereford Beef Interbreed Stockjudging Competition was held on Friday morning, with teams from the main beef breeds competing, with all the proceeds given to charity. Master Judge was Robin Boyd, Portglenone. The Northern Ireland Hereford Breed Association thanked all competitors and Fane Valley for their Sponsorship of the Competition.

This year saw the welcome return after a few years absence of the Hereford breed stand at the event which was staffed by a very pleasant group of ladies who provided welcome refreshments for those visiting.

Congratulations to all involved especially the exhibitors who turned out their cattle to a very high standard.