the Championship, such was the quality of their work, but Michael Yates of Scotland South in third place mustn’t be overlooked as he won a close placing over Andrew Paterson of Northern Ireland in fourth with his additional ring presence and smoothness on the halter. James’ final class was the Mature showmen, aged between 21 and 26 and the extra experience was apparent through all 20 competitors. James called it a tremendous class and praised everyone for displaying how showmanship should be done. It was Scotland South’s class again as Colin Laird impressed most of all. James described his performance as outstanding and admired the way his calf flowed so well with him. Colin had the advantage in the speed of setting his calf’s rear legs over Izzy Whittaker of Western in second place. James said that last year’s defending Champion was tremendously fluent, calm and relaxed and showed better head carriage than Ann Laird, also from Scotland South, in third place. Ann got the better of a close placing over Rebecca Channing from Yorkshire because she consistently had her calf’s feet set the correct way.
It was a long day for judge James
Tomlinson, but he performed his task expertly and with quiet efficiency and a keen eye while he was able to find time to give a few words of advice to many of the competitors after each class. His reasons were concise and easy to follow. He said afterwards how impressed he had been with the standard throughout the classes, describing his top three as outstanding.
Calf classes
Sunday morning saw Ulsterman Ashley Fleming replacing James in the middle of the ring with the six Holstein calf classes facing him. Ashley went about the task with speed, resulting in the classes being finished ahead of schedule, an unusual event, but, like James, he judged efficiently and gave expert reasons for his decisions.
RIGHT Blythbridge Loader Beauty, winner of the February-born class.
BELOW RIGHT Knowlesme- re Socrates Trudy won the December-January class.
The February class set the tone for the day with another winner from Scotland South, as Blythbridge Loader Beauty led by Ann Laird took the honours. Ashley described Beauty as an open calf that moved easily and displayed beautiful rib structure, giving her the nod ahead of Sahara Damion Adeen from Showgirl Holsteins of West Midlands in second. Another balanced, open ribbed calf with power through the front end, Adeen’s balance was the reason Ashley gave for placing her ahead of Riverdane PS Ashlyn from Western in third, who won a close placing ahead of Shropshire’s Wyndford BD Shottle Appletime by moving more freely and being just a little cleaner. Leading the December-January section was a calf from the Knowlesmere herd that consistently does well in this arena. Western’s Knowlesmere Socrates Trudy with Izzy Whittaker on the halter was described by the judge as an easy winner. Ashley admired her balance, head carriage and long neck, the strength through the chine and her open rib, saying these were the reasons her placed her ahead of Blythbridge Sanchez Eleanor from Scotland South in second. Eleanor, a long bodied calf who moved easily, had more scale overall than third placed Richaven Samuelo Twilight representing West Midlands, who in turn was longer though the
BELOW LEFT The Best Presented stand competition was won by the South & Wiltshire Club.
BELOW RIGHT The winning stand featured a White Horse, a crop circle and a miniature Stonehenge amongst other local landmarks.
THE JOURNAL DECEMBER 2010 87
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