Juniors steal the show at Christmas Calf Show

Baybridge 1 Bob from LG Gould stole the show at this year’s Christmas calf show. Winning the overall supreme championship was a highlight for stockman Pete Compton, and with his own fan club cheering him on, the atmosphere was full of festive energy.

This exceptional January 2024 born bull, with his pedigree and accomplishments certainly highlight his impressive qualities and his success in the show ring this year. The combination of his sire, Weybrook 1 Drake, and his dam, Baybridge 1 Jasmine 2nd, seems to have produced a winning formula. His style and ring presence clearly made an impact right from the moment he entered, and judge Mr Jeremy Price took a shine to him as soon as he entered the ring.

His early success, by winning the calf class at Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, laid a strong foundation for his later achievements at Agrifest 2024, where he secured both native male champion and reserve overall native champion. These accolades speak to his remarkable conformation and consistent performance, which are key factors for any standout show animal.

Flashy heifer Ashdale 3 Queen 956 from TG, EI & EN Thorne made a strong impression at the event, giving Baybridge 1 Bob a real run for his money. The long journey from Pembrokeshire clearly paid off, with Non Thorne at the helm and partner Carwyn Lewis providing solid support. Ashdale 3 Queen 956’s performance was nothing short of impressive, especially considering she was the youngest animal in the ring. Her pedigree is certainly a winning combination, being sired by Fisher 1 Profile P456 and out of Ashdale 3 Queen 770. Securing the junior female title and reserve overall champion is an outstanding achievement.

Dendor 1 Boof from DE, ED & AL Jones is the seasoned showman, taking the senior male champion title amongst a strong class of September and October 2023 bulls. Having already earned reserve senior male champion at Agri Expo just a month prior, his consistency in the ring speaks volumes about his quality and presence. Being a September 2023-born son of Solpoll 1 Vanquish, and out of Dendor 1 Ruby 34^th it’s clear that Boof has inherited not just his impressive lineage but also a lot of natural style and charisma.

Normanton 1 Boa Boa impressed at the show, earning reserve senior male championship in a competitive field. The November 2023-born son of Cleland 1 Nelson stood out among some stiff competition. His strong performance in the senior male division highlights his potential, as he was able to hold his own against other high-quality bulls.

His pedigree, with Cleland 1 Nelson as his sire, and out of home bred cow Normanton 1 Fistulina 34^th V631 gives him a solid genetic foundation. The TD & WT Livesey team from Ashby-de-la-Zouch must be thrilled with his performance, and Boa Boa’s future looks very promising.

The Dendor herd had a fantastic day, with Dendor 1 Billy-the-Kid making his mark for the second time this year by adding to the herd’s already impressive winning streak. Winning the March 2024-born class and then going on to secure reserve junior male is a huge accomplishment. It’s especially notable given his track record having already triumphed as junior male, overall male, and reserve champion at Agri Expo this November. Billy-the-Kid is a young bull to watch, and his consistent success shows he’s a real standout in the ring.

His pedigree, being sired by Solpoll 1 Vanquish and out of Dendor 1 Wattle 9th from DE, ED & AL Jones, reflects top-notch breeding that shines through in his conformation, performance and style.

Studdolph 1 Barbie 927 from Miss EN Thorne made a strong impression in the female section, clinching senior female champion. What a fantastic achievement for this November 2023-born heifer, especially in such a competitive field. Her performance in the senior class clearly demonstrated her quality and consistency, and it’s no surprise that she stood out among the other strong contenders.

Her pedigree is particularly impressive, with her dam Studdolph 1 Barbie 719 and sire Alderville 1 Dover combining to produce a heifer with style, substance, and show ring appeal. The Barbie line is known for its success, so it’s no surprise that Barbie 927 has followed in those footsteps.

Another Barbie in the limelight was Creuddyn 1 Barbie from G Davies taking the reserve senior female champion. Winning her September/October 2023 class amongst seven other heifers was no mean feat in a competitive field and proved that her sire SMH King Size 87K was still delivering the goods, clearly leaving a strong mark on his offspring. Her dam Merlinstone 1 Thuya 3rd also played a crucial role in shaping the heifer’s confirmation and appearance.

The Pippa family is clearly a winning one for T & D from the Moralee herd, and Moralee 1 Pippa TE347 is no exception. Her sire, Dendor 1 Tecwyn, brings a strong genetic influence that blends well with the qualities passed down from her dam, Moralee 1 Pippa S16. This combination resulted in winning her March 2024 class amongst six other heifers which is a true testament to her breeding and one the Harrisons will be proud of. She then went onto take the reserve junior female championship which is a major highlight for the duo.

To finish the day’s proceedings was the young handler’s section, with a culmination of hard work in and out of the showring throughout the day. The senior section was the most impressive class with three seniors putting judges Tina Russell and Simon Bradley Farmer through their paces. Judge Tina stated that they were splitting hairs amongst them and each one would be welcome to work for her any time. Clinching the winner’s section by a margin was Ethan Brook from Hengoed, Wales. Not to take anything away from second place Will Awan and third place Archie Roberts.

The intermediates were also exceptional in their handling, demonstrating skills of patience, determination and knowledge. No stranger to the winning spot and taking first place was Liam Jackson-Carr, followed by avid show woman Ashlee Hughes and third place by Jack Heath, a keen young stockman.

Two juniors participated in the seven to twelve section and showed that age is no barrier when handling an animal. Abbie Jackson-Carr took the winning spot, sibling of Liam showing that the enjoyment runs through the family. Liam Bowen from Bounds Herefords was a close second, with this being his first ever competition.

Full Show Results

Class 1 – Best pair of bull calves owned by the exhibitor

1^st – Midford Herefords – W Awan

2^nd – JC Herefords – L Jackson-Carr

3^rd – Creuddyn Herefords – G Davies

Class 2 – Best pair of heifer calves owned by the exhibitor

1^st – Beca Herefords – GJ Twose

2^nd – Bounds Herefords – H Weston & Sons Ltd

Class 3 – Bull calves born September/October 2023

1^st – Dendor 1 Boof – DE, ED & AL Jones

2^nd – Adzor Barlow – DJ Makin

3^rd – Normanton 1 Brightspark – TD & WT Livesey

Class 4 – Bull calves born November/December 2023

1^st – Normanton 1 Boa Boa – TD & WT Livesey

2^nd – Parkapella 1 Bellagio – Mr & Mrs S Coates

Class 5 – Bull calves born January/February 2024

1^st – Baybridge 1 Bob – LG Gould

2^nd – Midford 1 Bobby Dazzler – W Awan

3^rd – Beca 1 Bonanza – GJ Twose

Class 6 – Bull calves born March 2024

1^st – Dendor 1 Billy-the-Kid – DE, ED & AL Jones

2^nd – Midford 1 Bravado – W Awan

3^rd – Havenfield 1 Bailiff – EL Lewis & Son

Class 7 – Bull calves born April/May 2024

1^st – JC 1 Bacardi – L Jackson-Carr

2^nd – JC 1 Battye – L Jackson-Carr

3^rd – Creuddyn 1 Kingsize – G Davies

 

Class 8 – Heifer calves born September/October 2023

1^st – Creuddyn 1 Barbie – G Davies

2^nd – Moralee 1 Kylie DC314 – T & D Harrison

3^rd – Dendor 1 Keepsake 27^th – DE, ED & AL Jones

Class 9 – Heifer calves born November/December 2023

1^st – Studdolph 1 Barbie 927 – Miss EN Thorne

2^nd – Normanton 1 Jews Ear 43^rd B687 – TD & WT Livesey

Class 10 – Heifer calves born January/February 2024

1^st – Mairwen 1 Maggie Moultan – N Owens

2^nd – Sandlow 1 Starburst E300 – S Jones

3^rd – Baybridge 1 Bonnie – LG Gould

Class 11 – Heifer calves born March 2024

1^st – Moralee 1 Pippa TE347 – T & D Harrison

2^nd – Spartan 1 Jen SP B251 – SC & GL Hartwright

3^rd – Dendor 1 Silver-Lady 3^rd – DE, ED & AL Jones

Class 12 – Heifer calves born April/May 2024

1^st – Ashdale 3 Queen 956 – TG, EI & EN Thorne

2^nd – Dendor 1 Echo 47^th – DE, ED & AL Jones

3^rd – Parkapella 1 Jenny 1623 – Mr & Mrs S Coates

Young handlers 19 – 26 years old

1^st – Ethan Brook

2^nd – Will Awan

3^rd – Archie Roberts

Young handlers 13 – 18 years old

1^st – Liam Jackson-Carr

2^nd – Ashlee Hughes

3^rd – Jack Heath

 

Young handlers 7 – 12 years old

1^st – Abbie Jackson-Carr

2^nd – Liam Bowen

Championships

Junior male and overall supreme champion – Baybridge 1 Bob – LG Gould

Junior female and reserve overall supreme champion – Ashdale 3 Queen 956 – TG, EI & EN Thorne

Senior male champion – Dendor 1 Boof – DE, ED & AL Jones

Reserve senior male champion – Normanton 1 Boa Boa – TD & WT Livesey

Reserve junior male champion – Dendor 1 Billy-the-Kid – DE, ED & AL Jones

Senior female champion – Studdolph 1 Barbie 927 – Miss EN Thorne

Reserve senior female champion – Creuddyn 1 Barbie – G Davies

Reserve junior female champion – Moralee 1 Pippa TE347 – T & D Harrison