Champion of Champions, Rebel Kicks legacy secured!

Back in 2021, the world was beginning to take tentative steps towards regaining a sense of normality. Shows began to open the gates to visitors, stipulating social distancing and the wearing of masks.

Of those shows, Northumberland decided to postpone for another year. It was during this season that Moralee 1 Rebel Kicks, took the showring by storm. The April 2018 bull took interbreed champion at Devon County, native interbreed at the Royal Highland Showcase and reserve interbreed at the Great Yorkshire show.

This came on the back of a string of successes within junior classes, notably standing as interbreed junior bull at the 2019 Royal Welsh. Then later in 2019 being awarded both, polled bull of the year and joint bull of the year at the society annual dinner.

The rush of publicity online caught the attention of overseas breeders leading to a semen bundle heading across the Atlantic to Ohio-based Shawn Stevens.

For breeders, Tom and Di Harrison, Moralee Herd, Mickley, Northumberland, the Northumberland show was the missing piece to an otherwise flawless record for their bull.

Fast-forward three years and with the show back in full swing, the couple decided, upon reflection, that Rebel was just too good to leave at home.

To make this occasion even more auspicious, the breeders were accompanied in the days leading up to the event, as well as on the day itself, by a Channel 4 production crew, including farming celebrity Matt Baker. Who took an active approach in helping prep the bull for the ring. ‘Travels with Mum and Dad’ will be airing later in the year.

Judge, Josh Dowbiggin, Salterforth, Lancaster, found his supreme champion in Rebel Kicks after pulling him forward in the male championship, following originally catching his eye in the senior bull class.

Following success within the Hereford division, Rebel Kicks elevated through the ranks, first in the native championship, with an angus animal in reserve. Later re-entering the ring to partake in the supreme beef championship, Rebel Kicks and a pedigree Limousin vied for supremacy, but it was the Hereford bull who came out on top.

With a halter full of ribbons, Rebel Kicks was bestowed the top accolade of named Champion of Champions.

After a career high, he has now hung up his show halter, but his work is not done. Back at home, Rebel Kicks has been put to work with the Moralee females in hopes that he will pass his winning touch along to his progeny.

The Moralee story doesn’t end here. Moralee 1 Kylie PR294, shone in her own right, earning the female champion ticket. January 2023-born, Kylie is no stranger to a championship win, having stood reserve junior female at the Christmas Calf show in Shrewsbury 2023. The triumph at Northumberland show has kept a legacy of wins within the heifer’s pedigree alive.

Out of the original Moralee 1 Kylie cow, who is now 10 years of age and still an asset to the herd, earning the female championship at Northumberland back in 2016.

Moralee 1 Sparkle PR285 from Tom and Di Harrison, reserve female championStablemate and sire-sister, Moralee 1 Sparkles PR285 was tapped out to stand beside Kylie as reserve female champion. Her dam, Tyndale 1 Sparkles 674 was purchased from Ivan and William Haire back in 2021 and continues to do the business for the husband-and-wife duo. Her calf, Moralee 1 Baz KS315, made his showing debut on Saturday earning a respectful third place in the junior bull class.

Sparkles later took part in the Grand Parade with Matt Baker at the helm.

Another bull making waves and no stranger to the showring was JC 1 Austin, from young breeder Liam Jackson-Carr. Having stood as reserve in the Christmas Calf show, the young bull made his way up the ranking having come out on top in the junior bull class, finishing in as reserve in the Overall championship. April-23 born, out of Coley 1 Dowager 545, he is a son of the prolific show-winner Coley 1 Vincent.

The Coley team entered the ring with Coley 1 Malan 697. A fresh heifer to the circuit with notable lineage. Sired by renowned bull Romany 1 Distiller A84 D53 and dam, Kammerherre Malan, a Danish import now residing at the Benacre herd.

Coley breeding held heavy influence throughout the day in many of the entries with Cara Doggett’s Coley 1 Mink 634 sitting within the ribbons.

A special mention to breeders, Bethan Hutchinson and Rebecca Moore for bringing forth a strong entry, we look forward to your success throughout the summer.

 

Full List of Results

Champion of Champions, Supreme Beef Champion, Native Champion, and Supreme Hereford Champion – Moralee 1 Rebel Kicks

Reserve Supreme Champion – JC 1 Austin

Female Champion – Moralee 1 Kylie PR294

Reserve Female Champion – Moralee 1 Sparkle PR285

 

Hereford – Heifer born on or after 1 May 2023

1^st Heather Whittaker Coley 1 Malan 697

2^nd Tom & Di Harrison Moralee 1 Kylie Dc314

3^rd Tom & Di Harrison Moralee 1 Rebel Amy Pr310

4^th Bethan Hutchinson Harveybros 1 Crocus Ariel

5^th Liam Jackson-Carr JC 1 Pearl 007

 

Hereford – Heifer born on or after 1 January 2023 to 30 April 2023

1^st Tom and Di Harrison Moralee 1 Kylie PR294

2^nd Rebecca Moore Spartan 1 Elizabeth 2^nd

3^rd Liam Jackson-Carr JC 1 Marigold 006

 

Hereford – Heifer born between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022

1^st Tom and Di Harrison Moralee 1 Sparkles PR285

2^nd Cara Doggett Coley 1 Mink 634

3^rd Tom and Di Harrison Moralee 1 Pippa BS265

4^th Bethan Hutchinson Porton House Duchess 2^nd

5^th Bethan Hutchinson Coley 1 Bubbles 641

 

Hereford – Cow in calf or with calf at foot born before 31 December 2021

1st Tom & Di Harrison Moralee 1 Kylie KS S3

 

Hereford – Bull born on or after 1 January 2023

1^st Liam Jackson-Carr JC 1 Austin

2^nd Tom & Di Harrison Moralee 1 Bond DC313

3^rd Tom & Di Harrison Moralee 1 Baz KS315

4^th Heather Whittaker Invictus 1 AC/DC

5^th Tom & Di Harrison Moralee 1 Ariat PR305

6^th Heather Whittaker Coley 1 Armani

 

Hereford – Bull born on or before 31 December 2022

1^st Tom & Di Harrison Moralee 1 Rebel Kicks KS R12

2^nd Bethan Hutchinson Dendor 1 Vodka

 

Pair of Animals

1^st Tom & Di Harrison

2^nd Liam Jackson-Carr