RHS21: Bluefaced Leicesters lead day two of sheep judging

The non-MV accredited sheep section took place on Tuesday when inter-breed judge, Jim Robertson, Langholm, awarded the supreme title to the Bluefaced Leicester crossing type champion.

clock • 3 min read
RHS21: Bluefaced Leicesters lead day two of sheep judging

The non-MV accredited sheep section took place on Tuesday when inter-breed judge, Jim Robertson, Langholm, awarded the supreme title to the Bluefaced Leicester crossing type champion.

This was a home-bred ewe lamb by G34 Midlock out of a home-bred ewe by J14 Blarnavaild from Andrew McQuistin's Barnshangan flock, Newton Stewart, which also had breed's male champion, a home-bred ram lamb.  


Mr Robertson said: "The ewe lamb had class and style and in my eyes was a standout winner from a strong championship line-up. She was correct with presence in the ring and caught my eye from the off." 

A three-shear ewe by Allanshaws Tripe Twenty gave Roderick Runciman's Allanshaws flock, Galashiels, a sixth Royal Highland North Country Cheviot championship, before going on to take the reserve inter-breed rosette.

Mr Runciman also claimed the reserve breed championship with a shearling gimmer by a Sebay ram bought at Lockerbie out of Allanshaws Sweet Pea. 

The ewe then went on to take the inter-breed pairs title alongside the male champion, which was Allanshaws Ammarilo, a two-shear ram by Synton Vitalspark, bred by the Runicmans, but now owned by George Milne, Fife, who bought it last year at Lockerbie.

The combination of the Bluefaced Leicester traditional type female and male champions went to take reserve in the inter-breed pairs. 


The champion was a home-bred shearling gimmer from Kate Smith's Low Arkland flock, Castle Douglas, which was by a Lowesfell ram bought at Kelso. 

Reserve was the male champion from Lindsay and Robert Currie, Girvan, a two-shear ram which was bought at Hexham as a stock ram for their Braegarrie flock, from Martin Quinn's Whinneyhill flock. 

Taking the overall and female Blackface championship for the first time were Stuart and William Heads, Fenwick, with a shearling gimmer by a Lurg ram out of a ewe by a £22,000 Dalchirla ram from their Aitkenheads flock.

/

/

Blackface

/

Blackface champion, a shearling gimmer from Stuart and William Heads, Fenwick.

Reserve overall and reserve female was a five-crop ewe by a £20,000 Auldhouseburn ram from the MacArthur family's Nunnerie flock, Biggar. 


Denise, Patrick and Alex Playfair, Kelso, took the Shetland championship with their home-bred four-crop ewe, Kaimknowe Sorrel, whose grand-sire and grand-dam had been breed champions at the Royal Highland Show in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The family also had the male and reserve champion with their stock ram, Greenacre Maverick.

Non-MV accredited results

Inter-breed (J. Robertson, Langholm) Sup., A. McQuistin (Bluefaced Leicester crossing type); res., J. Runciman and Son (North Country Cheviot); Pairs - Sup., R. Runciman and Son and G. Milne (North Country Cheviot); res., K. Smith and D.L. and S. Currie (Bluefaced Leicester traditional type).

Blackface (J. Hamilton, East Lothian) Sup. and fem., S. and W. Heads; res. and res. fem., C.C. MacArthur and Co., male, D.C. and J.J. Marshall.

Bluefaced Leicester - crossing type (B. Hedley, Scottish Borders) Sup. and fem. and res. and male, A. McQuistin.

Bluefaced Leicester - traditional type (R. Blackhall, Aberdeenshire) Sup. and fem., K. Smith; res. and male, D.L. and S. Currie; res. fem., R.A. McClymont and Son; res. fem.,

Commercial (B. Hedley)

Hebridean (G. Johnston, South Lanarkshire) Sup. and male, and res. fem., Kirkdean Farm; res. and res. male and fem., J. and M. Cuthbert.

North Country Cheviot (R. Strawhorn, Dumfries and Galloway) Sup. and fem. and res. fem., J. Runciman and Son; male, Kinaldy Farm.

Ryeland (S. Bryden, Dumfries and Galloway) Sup. and fem., R. Aitken; res. and male Wellhill Steadings.

Shetland (B. Nicholson, Scottish Borders) Sup. and fem., res. fem. and male, Playfair family; male, D. Alcorn.

More on Livestock

NSA Welsh Sheep Preview: Quality stock and sustainable systems key for host farm

NSA Welsh Sheep Preview: Quality stock and sustainable systems key for host farm

This year's NSA Welsh Sheep event will be hosted by Penny Chantler and her sons, Sam and Will Sawday, at Tregoyd near Hay-on-Wye in the Welsh Borders

clock 10 May 2025 • 2 min read
NSA Welsh Sheep Preview: Showcasing sustainability in the sheep sector

NSA Welsh Sheep Preview: Showcasing sustainability in the sheep sector

NSA Welsh Sheep visitors can look forward to an engaging day, with farm tours and a packed demonstration, competition and seminar schedule

clock 09 May 2025 • 3 min read
Young Dog Handler Focus – Lewis Bevan: "A win would be a great 18th birthday present"

Young Dog Handler Focus – Lewis Bevan: "A win would be a great 18th birthday present"

In this series, we shine a spotlight on emerging dog handlers heading up the industry. We explore their successes, trials and tribulations on their journey to becoming the next generation of skilled sheepdog handlers

clock 08 May 2025 • 2 min read