It has been a busy show season with many breeders up and down the country participating to showcase their animals and herds, which has been inspiring despite the weather challenges.
The awards night, held at the Albrighton Hotel, Shrewsbury is a celebration of hard work and achievement. It’s great to recognise not just individual wins but also the overall commitment throughout the season from breeders who have been accumulating points to try and win one of the nine prestigious trophies on offer.
Much excitement and anticipation filled the room as everyone awaited the evenings proceedings, and to kick off the first trophy, winners Tom and Di Harrison of the Moralee Herd were up first, winning sire of the year with Moralee 1 RHS Prince KR R8. This March 2018 born bull was sired by Cornriggs 1 Knight Rider is out of Coley 1 Pippa 356. Having 33 progeny to his name, with many of his offspring being show winners and recently his daughters won the progeny group at the National Poll show this September, proving to be a prolific and successful sire for the Moralee team.
Tom and Di Harrison of the Moralee Herd won sire of the year with Moralee 1 RHS Prince KR R8
Tom and Di, the devoted husband-and-wife team, were invited to the front of the room for the second presentation of the evening, where they were honoured with the title of Show Herd of the Year. Achieving such an accolade is impressive, but to earn it for the second consecutive year speaks volumes about their commitment and hard work. Their success truly demonstrates that perseverance and passion yield remarkable results.
Tom and Di Harrison also winners of Show Herd of the Year with their Moralee Herd
Another remarkable triumph was celebrated by Simon and Gemma Hartwright of the Spartan Herd. Stockman Luke Murphy was present to collect the award for Poll Female of the Year for Spartan 1 Victoria’s Secret. This exceptional show cow had a stellar start to the year at the Shropshire County Show, with her success only escalating as the season continued. She concluded her year in style, being crowned Reserve Supreme Champion at the National Poll Show, a testament to her outstanding performance and the dedication of her team.
Luke Murphy collecting the award for Poll Female of the Year for Spartan 1 Victoria’s Secret
What a fantastic achievement for Rempstone 1 Alpha N688 and the Ludgate family to win Poll Bull of the year. It’s always exciting to see a young bull make such a significant impact in the show circuit, especially with the support of dedicated stockman like Joe Clarke. Winning both breed and interbreed titles is no small feat, and it was a proud moment for James and Joe to celebrate their hard work.
Poll Bull of the Year goes to…. the Ludgate family with Rempstone 1 Alpha N688
Unable to attend the evenings proceedings were PRJ & LR Vincent of the Pulham herd but were delighted to receive the accolade of Horned Herd of the year. Having exceptional success at this year’s National Hereford show with their own cattle and animals they have bred and sold on demonstrates the amount of hours Phil and Laura invest into showing and promotion, so it’s great to see them being recognised. This is also the second year in a row they have won this award, an amazing achievement for all concerned.
PRJ & LR Vincent of the Pulham herd, winners of Horned Herd of the Year
Returning to the front of the room for the third time that evening was Tom and Di Harrison of the Moralee herd to collect the trophy for the horned female of the year with Moralee Curly C1288. This young heifer is no stranger to this award winning it last year, at just under one years of age. This show heifer won her class at the Royal Welsh Show and was reserve intermediate champion at the National Hereford Show.
Tom and Di Harrison collect the trophy for the horned female of the year with Moralee Curly C1288
Winning the Horned Bull of the year prize is quite an achievement, and this year it went to Edward Mills with Severnvale Rogue who is now in shared ownership with David Makin, ably assisted by Thea Woollatt. Rogue’s strong performance throughout the show season has displayed consistency and it’s great to see the horned contingent being well-represented.
Edward Mills, David Makin and Thea Woollatt collected Horned Bull of the Year for Severnvale Rogue
James Ludgate and Joe Clarke proudly took to the stage again to take the coveted prize of Bull of the Year. Rempstone 1 Alpha N688 a March 2023 born bull is out of Danish imported dam Rosenkaer Miss World and sired by Dendor 1 Nairobi, has been expertly shown throughout the summer season, so it was no surprise to see them centre stage. The bull then went on to set a new breed record with achieving the highest priced bull being sold at a society sale, the following day.
And to cap a fine evening, James Ludgate and Joe Clarke collect the coveted Bull of the Year award, again for Rempstone 1 Alpha N688
Last but by no means least was overall Female of the Year, which went to SC and GL Hartwright with Spartan 1 Victoria’s Secret. With Solpoll 1 Perfection as her sire and Cleland 1 Glissade 26th as her dam, this 2020 born cow benefits from a lineage of top-notch genetics, so it was no surprise to see her clinch this significant award.
Female of the Year went to SC and GL Hartwright with Spartan 1 Victoria’s Secret, again collected by Luke Murphy
Congratulations to all the winners and participants. It’s inspiring to witness the strength and resilience within the breed, and it’s clear that everyone involved has put in a tremendous amount of effort, proving dedication at these events really highlight the passion of the community.
🏆 ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER 🏆
Sire of the Year
Tom and Di Harrison with Moralee 1 RHS Prince KR R8
🏆 ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER 🏆
Show Herd of The Year
Tom and Di Harrison with the Moralee herd
🏆 ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER 🏆
Poll female of the year
SC & GL Hartwright with Spartan 1 Victorias Secret
🏆 ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER 🏆
Poll Bull of the year
M Ludgate with Rempstone 1 Alpha N688
🏆 ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER 🏆
Horned herd of the year
PRJ & LR Vincent with the Pulham herd
🏆 ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER 🏆
Horned Female of the year
T & D Harrison – Moralee Curly C1288
🏆 ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER 🏆
Horned Bull of the Year
Edward Mills with Severnvale Rogue who is now in shared ownership with David Makin
🏆 ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER 🏆
Bull of the year
M Ludgate with Rempstone 1 Alpha N688
🏆 ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER 🏆
Female of the Year
SC & GL Hartwright with Spartan 1 Victorias Secret