Our Saintfeild Show 2019 Round Up
The weather didn't hold up for showing last week, with dedicated farmers braving the heavy rain to showcase their finest show teams.
Firs class for the Limousins was, C39 Pedigree Limousin Cow any age, in calf, or having produced a calf during 12months prior to the show. Culnagechan Liberty continued her winning streak and obtained her fourth winning 1st place in a row! The show team matriarch with her stylish calf at foot, Phoenix, knows how to put her best foot forward in the show ring.
Rathkeeland Nellie was back on the show circuit in C40 Pedigree Limousin Heifer born in 2017. The judge found himself torn, he originally pulled the maternal heifer in 1st, but at the last minute awarded her 2nd place. The show team super star, Haltcliffe Nijinsky, who came to Saintfeild on the back of impressive form was next in C42 Pedigree Limousin Senior Bull born before 2018. Haltcliffe Nijinsky who won the overall championships previously in Ballymoney and Armagh, was crowned Interbreed Champion in Ballymoney and reserve over all show, reserve Interbreed Champion in Armagh, had all eyes on him, people who rememembered him from the previous week came to see the bull. The Limousin Judge remarked he couldn't find any faults in the bull, he was the perfect limousin animal, the judge went on to remark on his carcass and where he carried the best cuts. Haltcliffe Nijinsky came away with 1st place and made a lasting impression on the Limousin Judge. Breeders from other breeds remarked on Nijinksy and how impressed they were with the animal, with many from all breeds wanting straws for his breeding. When it came to the Championship later that day, he obtained an audience who wanted to see the bull go the distance.
The show team youngster, the popular well loved calf, Rathkeeland Phoenix was next up in C44 Pedigree Limousin Calf, Bull or Heifer born in 2019. The judge fell for Phoenix from first sight. The Youngsters style, class and features all were approved and she was awarded 1st place. Phoenix herself came to the show on the back of being crowned Reserve Beef Calf Champion at Armagh, were the judge was really torn, her age was against her when the Sept 18 bull gained the Champion crown, so she had alot to prove in Saintfeild, the youngster, DOB 19/02/19 stood her ground and she came away with another red rosette, another 1st place to add to her growing collection.
Next up was C45 Pair of animals property of one exhibitor and entered in their respective class. Haltcliffe Nijinsky and Culnagechan Liberty took to win, this winning pair have won every show they have attended, really good examples of a great male and female from the limousin breed, who are well matched and balanced.
Next was the Overall Limousin Championship. Rathkeeland Phoenix, Culnagechan Liberty and Haltcliffe Nijinsky entered the ring, proudly representing the Limousin Breed. The stand out animal was Haltcliffe Nijinksy who's reign to dominate the Limousin Rings continued. He scored his first ever hat trick for Crawford Brothers when he was Crowned Overall Limousin Champion, his third in a row.
In the interbreed Championship, Haltcliffe Nijinksy had a dedicated fan base round the ring, who braved the heavy rain to watch. The same Breeders who watched him in the limousin classes stood the test to watch him in the Interbreed. Most on watchers willed the bull to go the distance, the positive remarks on the bull consisted of him having zero faults and what a perfect representation for the breed he was. Ninksy who will turn 2 yrs old in December, is a fine animal, who continues to impress where ever he goes. The judging panel split, between native judges and contenital judges, were torn between the Shorthorn Heifer and the Limousin Bull. The Shorthorn Heifer maintained the majority vote and went on to be crowned Interbreed Champion with Haltcliffe Nijinsky continuing to do well, being crowned reserve.
This weekend there is no Northern Ireland agricultural shows, but we do wish everyone travelling over to the Highland Show, a very safe trip and an enjoyable show. We look forward to seeing you the following week.