Duchess is victorious

Spirits were high and the sun shone down on exhibitors at this year’s Norfolk Show with sixteen herds in attendance battling it out in the heat, to be crowned overall champion.

Judge David Sapsed from Hertfordshire assessed the cattle presented and deliberated over his champion, crowning Porton House 1 Duchess 2^nd from Bethan Hutchinson female and overall champion. Duchess was purchased from the society’s Spring sale in 2023 and soon embarked on her show success, coming 1^st in her class at the Royal Highland Show and again at Westmorland, later that year. Bred by Paul and Vicky Moyle, she is a March 2022 born female out of Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 978, sired by Dendor 1 Sherlock.

Porton House 1 Duchess 2nd from Bethan Hutchinson

The heifer born in the 2022 class provided a powerful selection for our judge, featuring not one, but two exceptional females who took home the top honours: the overall champion and the reserve female champion.  Reserve female champion was awarded to Pepperstock 1 Blossom W869 from J. Speirs. This two year old female stood out, accompanying Duchess in the female line-up and securing a victory for Mr. Jim Speirs.

Pepperstock 1 Blossom W869 from J. Speirs

Standing as male and reserve overall champion was Pulham 1 Achilles from PRJ & LR Vincent, sired by Appel 1 Kaboom and out of a homebred cow Pulham 1 Curly 3^rd. Achilles is having a successful showing season for the husband and wife team, having already secured the reserve male championship at Shropshire County Show. Appel 1 Kaboom is proving to be a triumphant sire for the herd with half sister Pulham 1 Olive 7^thstanding in overall reserve champion at the same show.

Pulham 1 Achilles from PRJ & LR Vincent

Sixteen-month-old bull Newtoncroft 1 Aintree from Newtoncroft Farms Ltd has continued to impress, following up his recent performance at the Three Counties Show. This time, he won his class and then went on to secure the reserve male champion finishing just behind Pulham 1 Achilles. Another accolade he won to his name was junior champion. This flashy young man was sired by Hawkesbury 1 Swift, born out of homebred cow Newtoncroft 1 Truelove 346.

Newtoncroft 1 Aintree from Newtoncroft Farms Ltd

The Bethanfield herd made the worthy trip from Cleveland, County Durham, as not only did they take the championship, they secured a 1^st place with Harveybros 1 Crocus Ariel in the heifer born on or after 1^st April 2023 class. Other female class winners included Avery from Josh Matthews and Pepperstock 1 Jade S572 from Speirs Farms.

UK Hereford Youth member Liam Jackson-Carr had a great show with his March 2023 Bull JC 1 Austin, taking 1^st place in his class and the reserve junior champion title.

JC 1 Austin from Liam Jackson-Carr

Full Results List

Breed and female champion – Porton House 1 Duchess 2^nd – Bethan Hutchinson

Reserve breed and male champion – Pulham 1 Achilles – PRJ & LR Vincent

Reserve female champion – Pepperstock 1 Blossom W869 – Speirs Farms

Reserve male and junior champion – Newtoncroft 1 Aintree – Newtoncroft Farms Ltd

Reserve Junior champion – JC 1 Austin – Liam Jackson-Carr & Damien Carr

Heifer, born on or after 1^st April 2023

1^st – Harveybros 1 Crocus Ariel – Bethan Hutchinson

2^nd – JC 1 Marigold 006 – Liam Jackson-Carr

3^rd – Coley 1 Malan 697 – Heather Whittaker

Heifer, born on or between 1^st January and 31^st March 2023

1^st – West Caister 1 Avery – Josh Matthews

2^nd – West Caister 1 Connie – Josh Matthews

Heifer, born on or between 1^st January and 31^st December 2022

1^st – Porton House 1 Duchess 2^nd – Bethan Hutchinson

2^nd – Pepperstock 1 Blossom W869 – Speirs Farms

3^rd – Dendor 1 Greta 37^th – The Benacre Company

4^th – Banjos 1 Miss Athena – Long Park Farm

5^th – Pulham 1 Olive 7^th – PRJ & LR Vincent

Cow, in milk, in calf or with calf at foot, born before 1^st January 2022

1^st – Pepperstock 1 Jade S572 – Speirs Farms

2^nd – Pulham Pansy 26^th – Borovere Herefords

3^rd – Wellhart 1 Coffee – Leisa Freeman

4^th – Claxton 1 Tash – Hilgay Livestock

Bull, born between 1^st January and 28^th February 2023

1^st – Newtoncroft 1 Aintree – Newtoncroft Farms Ltd

2^nd – Banjos 1 Aero – Long Park Farm

Bull, born on or after 1^st March 2023

1^st – JC 1 Austin – Liam Jackson-Carr & Damien Carr

2^nd – Coley 1 Andreas – Heather Whittaker

3^rd – Moorside 1 Ample – The Benacre Company

4^th – Borovere Bomber – Borovere Herefords

Bull, born prior 1^st January 2023

1^st – Pulham 1 Achilles – PRJ & LR Vincent

Interbreed wins for the breed

Day two of the renowned county show saw great success for the breed with the males coming out on top. Newtoncroft 1 Aintree made a remarkable impression in the ring, capturing the judge’s attention with his standout qualities, securing his first title of the day as native junior champion. His success didn’t stop there as he then went on to achieve reserve interbreed junior champion, behind the Charolais. His achievements are a testament to his quality and potential, further solidifying his reputation in the competitive showing circuit.

Pulham 1 Achilles from PRJ & LR Vincent had an impressive showing following a successful judging on the first day. Achilles competed against other native breeds and emerged triumphant, earning the title of native male beef champion.

Pulham 1 Achilles then teamed up with Porton House 1 Duchess 2^nd in the beef breed pairs to come third, an excellent achievement against all other breeds competing that day.

Full Results List

Native junior champion & reserve interbreed junior champion  – Newtoncroft 1 Aintree – Newtoncroft Farms

Native male beef champion – Pulham 1 Achilles from PRJ & LR Vincent

Best beef breed pair – 3^rd place – Porton House 1 Duchess 2^nd – Bethan Hutchinson & Pulham 1 Achilles from PRJ & LR Vincent