Page 36 - British Blue 2025 Yearbook

NORTHERN IRELAND BLUE CATTLE CLUB 2024
Our year started as usual with our AGM in February. This was well attended and followed by light refreshments. The
show season started with Balmoral in May with Mr Andrew Kay from the Gas herd in Scotland judging the Blue
classes. His champion was Drumhilla TikTok, a super stylish young bull owned by the JCB commercial team. Reserve
champion went to Lueur D’ Hontoir, a real powerhouse of a heifer owned by Seamus Branniff.
The main event of our year was, as usual, the herd
competition which we held in August. Judge was Mr Steve
Pattinson from the Kelowna herd in Cumbria. Steve is a
long serving member of the Society Council and has a vast
knowledge of the Blue breed. Steve, accompanied by his
wife Claire, spent three days here and viewed nearly 20
herds. They were very impressed with not only the cattle
they saw but the hospitality they received. Steve remarked
how much they enjoyed judging the competition
describing it as “a really fun trip from start to finish”.
The results were announced at our annual barbecue and
charity auction held at the Spa Rugby Club. Steve’s overall
herd competition winner was Ivan and Corinna Gordon’s
Springbank herd, stating it was a really consistent herd of
top quality Blue cattle. Steve’s Reserve overall was Brian
O’Hare and Chelsea Best’s Brackaghmore herd, which he
remarked included an outstanding batch of young calves.
A super night was enjoyed by all and the charity auction
raised £1000 for MacMillan Cancer Support.
A huge Thank You to Steve and Claire Pattinson, to our
sponsors Masons Animal Feeds and HVS Animal Health,
our auctioneer on the night John Killen and all who
donated it to the auction.
The four breed calf show was held at the end of November.
The Blues were judged by Miss Shauna Killen from
Crossgar. Shauna did a super job on her debut judging a
show. Her Champion was Silverwood Tilly, owned by Colin
McKnight. Reserve went to Chatham Usher owned by first
time exhibitor Bethany Small from Randalstown.
This was another really successful event enjoyed by young
and old. Special Thanks to Shauna for a great job and to
our sponsors Danske bank and HVS Animal Health.
Following the show, a special presentation plaque was
made to Ann Morrison. Ann is a founder member of the NI
blue cattle club and recently retired from the Society
Council. We wish to thank Ann again for all her hard work
over the years for our club and the Blue breed.
Four-breed Calf Show Supreme Champion, Silverwood Tilly
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