Crawford Brothers dominated the Cattle Rings at Ballymoney Show 2019 where their Junior Stock Bull Haltcliffe Nijinsky won The Best Pedigree Beef Bull, Overall Limousin Champion, Overall Interbreed Beef Champion and Reserve Overall Show Champion of Champions.
Ballymoney show saw a brilliant turn out for livestock, the Limousin breed in particular was very strong with the highest ever recorded entries. The Limousin Judge of the day was Robin Coleman, Glarryford.
Cunagechan Liberty with her calf at foot, Rathkeeland Phoenix was up first in Class 154 Cow any age, in calf or with a calf at foot. This very feminine cow is the very definition of a good solid Limousin cow, she is well balanced, great on her feet, shows herself well, beautiful markings, a good breeder, easy natural calver, milky, solid muscle, she certainly has matured well into her role as the "Show Team Matriarch". Cunagechan Liberty scooped up first place. It was the positive start to the day that would keep on rolling.
Rathkeeland Nellie was up against it in Class 155 heifer born on or after 01/01/2017, a very strong show of 12 heifers. The class had to be split due to size and quality. Rathkeeland Nellie was placed a respectable 6th. The winner was Artnagullion Nantoush exhibited by James Alexander who went on to be awarded Reserve Limousin Champion.
Rathkeeland Phoenix, our young future star was up against it, with tight compeition in Class 156 Heifer or Bull born on or after 01/06/2018. The youngster had a lot to live up to, having previously achieved a 1st place at Balmoral Show and another 1st place at Ballymoney Show as a calf at foot with her prize winning mother Cunagechan Liberty, could she walk in her mothers footsteps and bring home the red rosette in her own right? Phoenix's own DOB is 18/02/2019, she had stiff competition from older and bigger cattle, there were ten her in class, but her pedigree shone through and she was able to secure her own first place. Phoenix has become a bit of a star, she was first noticed at Balmoral for her class, her sweet nature, her playfulness and off course her superb physical characteristics for which makes her a stand out heifer calf in her breed. However it has become her popularity online, many people have stopped to ask if it is Phoenix for they recognize her, the children in particular all want to meet Phoenix and she is absolutely loving the attention.
Haltcliffe Nijinsky dominated the show from the moment he entered the ring of Class 157 Bull born before 01/06/2018. The bull is all together very correct, very smooth and shows himself well. Having previously won 1st place at Balmoral Show, Nijinsky had to prove himself at his first outing since, and he took the show by storm. Haltcliffe Nijinsky brought home the 1st place red rosette.
Next up was the overall Limousin Championship. This is where Haltcliffe Nijinsky, Culnagechan Liberty and Rathkeeland Phoenix from Crawford Brothers went head to head. It was a big occasion for the three month old calf who took it in her stride, but this time round she had to follow behind Nijinsky's footsteps. Haltcliffe Nijinsky was crowned overall Limousin champion with Artnagullion Nantoush exhibited by James Alexander winning Reserve Limousin Champion.
Haltcliffe Nijinsky, Culnagechan Liberty and Rathkeeland Nellie took to the ring to battle it out in the interbreed special Class 105 BEST GROUP OF THREE. The judge tasked with this tough class was Billy Robson from Ballyclare. The winning group of three went to W. Campbell, Carnlough. Crawford Brothers took reserve in this prestigious class.
Rathkeeland Nellie was showcased in Class 107 BEST PEDIGREE BEEF HEIFER, unfortunately for Nellie is wasn't to be this time as judge Billy Robson gave his preference to W&P Campbell, Carnlough and his 2nd preference to Artnagullion Nantoush (Res Lim Champ) exhibited by James Alexander. The competition in this special class was very tough, there was such a good turn out of pedigree cattle, Ballymoney Show really did showcase superb livestock.
The beef Super Star of the Day, Haltcliffe Nijinsky was exhibited in Class 108 BEST PEDIGREE BEEF BULL. Haltcliffe Nijinsky did not disappoint, he went on to win this highly esteemed prize, was crowned yet again the Pedigree Beef Bull Champion.
Next up was the Interbreed Beef Championship, where the overall beef breed champions go into battle to be crowned the ultimate beef champion. On this occasion Haltcliffe Nijinsky was crowned Supreme Interbreed Champion! It was a brilliant day for the Limousin breed, not only was the turn out the strongest ever at Ballymoney show, but the breed went on to win the Interbreed championship and reign supreme.
After that success, came the overall show championship, where the overall champion from the Dairy and other livestock goes head to head. Haltcliffe Nijinsky went on to win Reserve Overall Show Champion sponsored by Danske Bank, with the Dairy Overall Champion winning the Champion of Champions.
It was a fantastic day for Crawford Brothers who scooped three 1sts from four classes and went on the dominate the Championship rings and Special Classes after.
