Page 136 - Beltex Year Book 2024

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ARDSTEWART ACES IN BELTEX FLOCK COMPETITION
IRISH BELTEX CLUB REPORT
Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club
www.beltex.co.uk
The Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club gathered at the Royal
Hotel, Cookstown on Saturday, 11 November, for their
annual Club Dinner.
They announced the results of the 2023 Flock Competition, as
well as celebrating club members’ achievements across the year,
presenting an impressive array of cups, trophies and rosettes.
Husband and wife duo, Wade and Alison McCrabbe, were
victorious on the night, winning the Overall Champion Flock and
lifting the Ballycreely Trophy for their Ardstewart Flock. The
Raphoe-based breeders had a string of successes in the
competition including Champion Large Flock, as well as
Champion Flock of Ewes, Flock of Ewe Lambs and Home-bred
Ram Lamb.
Speaking of their success, Alison commented: “It is fantastic to
have our flock so well recognised, especially as we celebrate 30
years of Beltex involvement this year. We love the breed and are
very excited to have our first production sale at Carlisle this year.”
Continuing their winning ways, the McCrabbes, along with
Andrew and Jamie McCutcheon, shared the Smyths Daleside
Trophy for jointly achieving the highest priced sheep sold at a
Society Sale, with one Beltex from the Ardstewart Flock and two
from the Bodoney Flock selling for an impressive 4,500gns.
The McCutcheons also triumphed in the Flock Competition
taking Reserve Champion Large Flock, as well as Best Overall
Stock Ram and Stock Ram Lamb. In addition, the Trillick breeders
were awarded Reserve Champion Show Flock based on their
performance at shows throughout the year.
The Reserve Overall Champion Flock and winner of the Inveresk
Trophy was Limavady-based John Harbinson’s Glenkeen Flock.
John presented a new cup in honour of his late father who was
one of the founding members of the Club. Recipient of the
inaugural Fergus Harbinson Memorial Cup was Elizabeth
McAllister, having won Male Champion at Balmoral Show. The
Kells breeder also took home Champion Show Flock,
representing her Artnagullion Flock’s success in the past
showing season.
Other notable successes included Daniel Patton winning Reserve
Champion Small Flock and the O’Neills of Lagyveagh Flock
taking two seconds and two thirds in the Flock Competition.
Picking up Best Novice Show Flock was William and Bobby
Porter of Major’s Bridge Flock, Maghera. Matthew Burleigh
amassed a table of silverware for his many wins throughout the
last year including Overall Champion at the Irish Beltex National
Show in Omagh, Dungannon Show and Sale Champion and
Balmoral Show Beltex Champion. Young Handlers at the
National Show were also recognised with Victoria Ferguson
winning the Ardstewart Cup for Senior Young Handler and Sarah
Wilson achieving Junior Young Handler.