Top Suffolk-raised breeds were also in evidence in the Any Other Pure Beef Breed category at the Suffolk Show today.
As quality cattle fought it out in the breed competitions, Weybread-based farmer Roger Harper’s bull took the top exhibit title with his young pedigree Charolais bull Weybread Frere.
“He grew extraordinarily well,” he said. “He went round here the year before last as a calf at foot. He’s from the breed line.
“He’s a nephew of Weybread Tiffany who won the national championship three years ago. This is the first show he’s been in on his own.”
Roger keeps around 40 head of pedigree Charolais on his Suffolk farm, which lies near Diss.
“We think they have got the size, the power and the muscle and when we sell them to dairy herds they produce a good calf,” he said.
“This was bred on farm and his great grandmother was as well. We have not bought an animal since 1996.”
Judge Ben Harman said: “I thought it was an absolutely outstanding show of Charolais and I felt it was an absolute privilege to be here today.”
It was a bull which “moved like a bull should move”, he said, and he was impressed by the extra length of its body and the shape of its head.
Across the border in Essex, there were celebrations in the Limousin contest.
William Ketley, of Toppesfield, Halstead, near Colchester, claimed top spot with Dolcorsllwyn Ginny.
Father Gerald Ketley said they were feeling “very good” about the result. “It’s her first time out,” he said.
There was a wide spread of wins from across the region.
Richard Barker, consultant at Barker Gotelee, who was announcement steward for the day, praised the strength and depth of the competition on display in the cattle rings.
“I have heard a number of judges who travelled great distances to be with us who were saying firstly what a pleasure it was to be at Suffolk and secondly, the pleasure they had from judging the high quality of animals.”
Many had travelled long distances to compete, he said, which “said much for the drawing power of a true agricultural show”.
n A bolting British Simmental cow caused a moment of drama during the mid-morning judging in the cattle rings as it knocked over fences and charged for the exit after becoming spooked.
But the errant animal was eventually brought under control after it was directed through the gate and into an animal area away from the public.
A Suffolk Agricultural Association spokesman said no one was harmed in the incident.
“It never went into any of the public area at any time. It was isolated in a veterinary isolation box,” he said.
“Nobody was in any danger. Everybody followed the correct procedure. We were pleased that the stewards brought the animal under control and managed to isolate it quickly.
“The gates to the road were shut immediately so there was no chance of the animal going onto the road.”
He added that it was a “very unusual” incident.
HORSES
SUFFOLK
13: Filly, colt or gelding, yearling: Mr and Mrs JW Fleming
14: Gelding, 2 or 3 years old.: Mr J Latham
15: Gelding, 4 years old and over, foaled 2009 or before: G Cass
16: Special - best gelding: G Cass
17: Filly, 2 or 3 years old: Mr and Mrs JW Fleming
18: Special - best 2 year old filly: Mr and Mrs JW Fleming
19: Mare, 4 years old and over, foaled 2009 or before: Mr and Mrs JW Fleming
20: Foal: FA and CA Kinge and daughter Amy Kinge
21: Mare, 4 years old and over, with her foal at foot: Mr and Mrs JW Fleming
22: Special - best mare and foal: Mr and Mrs JW Fleming
23: Special - best foal: FA and CA kinger and daughter Amy Kinge
24: Champion best mare or filly: Mr and Mrs JW Fleming
27: Stallion, 4 years old and over, foaled in or before 2009: Mr WR Ireland
28: Champion best stallion: Mr WR Ireland
29: Special - gelding or stallion with the best feet: Mr and Mrs JW Fleming
32: Supreme champion: Mr and Mrs JW Fleming
IN-HAND HARNESSED HORSE
52: Stallion, mare or gelding in harness: Mr Andrew Wager
TURNOUTS - ANY HEAVY BREED
54: Heavy horse pairs trade turnout: The Co-Operative Funeralcare
55: Heavy horse pairs agricultural turnout: AL and C Thompson
56: Special - best Suffolk pair: AL and C Thompson
RIDDEN HUNTERS
86: Lightweight hunter: Mr and Mrs MJ Jerram
87: Middleweight hunter: J Armstrong-Small
88: Heavyweight hunter: Holt family
89: Champion best ridden hunter: Mr and Mrs MJ Jerram
90: Ladies’ hunter: Mr and Mrs MJ Jerram
91: Small hunter: Mrs PA Underwood
92: Best shod horse: Mrs Jane Kennedy
CLASSICAL LADIES SIDE-SADDLE AND SIDE-SADDLE EQUITATION
93: Classical lades side-saddle class: Miss L Gooderham
94: Side saddle open equitation on stallions, mares or geldings, 4 years old or over: Miss L Gooderham
RIDDEN CLEVELAND BAY
106: Pure bred or part bred stallion, mare or gelding, born in or before 2009: Miss J Davie
PRIVATE DRIVING
171: Novice horse or pony: G Hart
172: Single, pair or tandem (non-Hackney type): Mr and Mrs E Elliott
173: Special - best pair or tandem of fully registered Mountain and Moorland Ponies:
174: Single, pair or tandem (non-Hackney type): Nigel Fuller
175: Special - best pair or tandem of fully registered Mountain and Moorland ponies: Mr and Mrs JL Snowdon
176: Single, pair or tandem (Hackney type):
177: Special - best junior whip, 10-18 years: G Hart
178: Champion best exhibit: Nigel Fuller
COACHING CLASS AND MARATHON
179: Four in hand in a private, road or regimental coach: Paul Rackham and Mark Broadbent
180: Special - best turned out grooms: CoH Danny Kendle
TRADE AND VINTAGE VEHICLE TURNOUTS
184: Light trade turnout: Smith Bros
185: Old vehicle with two wheels: Boyd Roberts
186: Old vehicle with four wheels: Bob Alexander
RIDDEN PONIES/SHOW PONIES
191: Pony, not exceeding 148cms: Mrs J Price
192: RIHA pony on leading rein, not exceeding 122cms: Mr and Mrs TS Georgakis
193: RIHS open first ridden pony, not exceeding 122cms: Mrs V Clark and Mrs J Lucas
194: Special - best exhibit: Mr and Mrs TS Georgakis
195: RIHS pony, not exceeding 128cms: Samantha Skeet
196: RIHS pony, between 128-138cms: Mr S Jackson
197: RIHS pony, between 138-148cms: Mrs C Hawkins
198: Champion - best ridden pony: Mrs C Hawkins
SHOW HUNTER PONIES
199: Lead rein pony, not exceeding 122cms: Yorkie Jobling-Purser
200: RIHS pony, not exceeding 122cms: Mrs J Williams
201: RIHS pony, between 122-133cms: Mrs Victoria Sedgwick
202: RIHS pony, between 133-143cms: Mr T Harvey
203: RIHS pony, between 143-153cms: Miss L Hillyard
204: Champion - best exhibit: Miss L Hillyard
BREEDING PONIES
211: Colt, filly or gelding yearling, not exceeding 143cms: Mrs AM and Mis CJ Smalley
212: Colt, filly or gelding yearling, 2 or 3 years old: Mr and Mrs BP Rennocks
213: Special - best youngstock: Mr and Mrs BP Rennocks
214: Brood mare in foal or with own foal at foot: Mrs C Highnam
215: Special - best foal in previous class: Mrs C Highnam
216: Champion best exhibit: Mr and Mrs BP Rennocks
IN-HAND SHOW HUNTER PONIES
217: Colt, filly or gelding yearling, 2 or 3 years old: Karen Sarling
218: Brood mare, 4 years old or over, in foal or with foal at foot:
219: Special - best foal from previous class
220: Barren mare or gelding, 4 years old or over: Mrs K Pitts and Miss M Firth
221: Champion best exhibit: Mrs K Pitts and Miss M Firth
MOUNTAIN AND MOORLAND NOVICE WORKING HUNTER PONY CHAMPIONSHIP
222: Stallion, not exceeding 122cms: Maria Vaughan
223: Stallion, between 122-138cms: Mrs J Turnbull
224: Stallion, between 138-148cms: D Smith and A Jones
225: Champion best exhibit: Maria Vaughan
PRP RESCUE SERVICES MOUNTAIN AND MOORLAND WORKING HUNTER PONY QUALIFIER
226: Stallion, mare or gelding, 5 years and over, not exceeding 122cms: Jane Armson
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