Wow…just wow what a show of Belties at the Royal Norfolk Show this year! Fabulous animals on show resulting in not one… but two Interbreed successes for the breed in 2023.
This year we had eight breeders with 21 animals in the sheds from Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire and Worcestershire. We always get a good number of junior animals but it was great to have good numbers of the senior belties, this year the senior heifer class was especially hotly contested with 7 animals bought forward.
Our Judge for the day was Belted Galloway Breeder Mrs Jane Landers from the Cairnsmore Herd from Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire. As well as doing a fine job of judging Jane also gave our Interbreed team of Five a dry run in the loading area, giving us all loads of help and showing tips on presenting the animals in the ring to maximise our chances……even trimming a few tails…and it obviously helped as success was to follow!
This year’s Royal visitor to the Show was HRH The Prince of Wales who came into the ring during the final judging of the Interbreed Group of Three to present to the winners. A big
Congratulations to Dave Powell (and Deborah who was holding the fort at home!)
for being our 2023 Best of Breed Winners of the Christine Osborne Challenge Cup with their smart senior bull Shelsleys Biffo, a 2021 born bull sired by Mistral Hero, Biffo went on to land a much deserved Reserve Champion in The Native Male Interbreed Championship. Also big congratulations to Ben and Becky Burgess-Smith with their senior heifer Blackthorn Yasmin, winner of the Reserve best of Breed a 2021 born heifer sired by Shelsleys Willie Redman.
Second Interbreed success also came for the Belties in the Interbreed Judges Choice Group of Three, where our fine team were tapped out Reserve Champions made up of Shelsleys Biffa (Dave Powell), The Park Perdi (Amy George) and Yare Valley Octavia (Will and Sarah Mack).Special mention to breeder Lewis Gidney who helped on show day, we look forward to welcoming him with his own Belted Galloway cattle to the show next year.
FULL RESULTS
Heifer, born on or after 1st January 2022 -1st: Blackthorn Zara, B & B Burgess-Smith,2nd: Holkham Imogen, John Smith,3rd: Waveney Wren, D & N Chapman,4th: Copperfield Sloe, A George
Heifer, Born in 2021– 1st: Blackthorn Yasmin, B & B Burgess-Smith,2nd: Waveney Velvet, D & N Chapman,3rd: Yare Valley Octavia, Will Mack,4th: Yare Valley Margaret, Will Mack,5th: Copperfield Toucana, C George,6th: Copperfield Moon, A George,7th: Millbrook Florence 2nd – H Borley
Cow or Heifer, in calf or with calf at foot, born on or before 1st January 2021– 1st: The Park Farm Perdi, A George,2nd: Scotland Vanessa, D & N Chapman (cow and calf),3rd: Holkham Faye, John Smith
Bull, born on or after 1st January 2022 -1st: Waveney Willy Wonka, D & N Chapman,2nd: Holkham Ivan, John Smith,3rd: Borleys Bertie, H Borley
Bull, born prior to 1st January 2022 -1st: Shelsleys Biffo, D & D Powell,2nd: Yare Valley Logan, Will Mack
Best group of three animals, bred by the exhibitor -1st: Yare Valley, WH Robinson & Sons,2nd: Copperfield, A George
MALE CHAMPION AND BREED CHAMPION– Shelsleys Biffo, D & D Powell,RESERVE MALE-Waveney Willy Wonka, D & N Chapman.FEMALE CHAMPION & RESERVE BREED CHAMPION-Blackthorn Yasmin, B & B Burgess-Smith.RESERVE FEMALE CHAMPION-The Park Farm Perdi, A George.JUNIOR CHAMPION-Blackthorn Zara, B & B Burgess-Smith,RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION-Waveney Willy Wonka, D & N Chapman
