This year we welcomed back the Royal Welsh Show, after a two-year gap. Once again Highlands were one of the most represented breeds in attendance and, as always, drew in the crowds and media. The classes were strong with excellent examples of the breed put forward. Handlers faced challenging conditions in the heat, alongside the cattle, but everyone dug deep and the show went on.
Female and overall champion, Lottie 7th of Mosscairn (photograph ©Helen Hyland)
The Monday evening awards presentation and supper was a wonderful gathering of over 50 club members. Annie and Becky organised a delicious spread of food and our Chairman, Guy Mumford presented the days trophies. To see everyone come together in such a jovial atmosphere, all in celebration of each others achievements, was humbling.
Tuesday morning, Robin went down the cattle lines offering novices and young handlers advice and wisdom on many show-related topics. He found the session very rewarding and hopes the novices and young handlers did too. While Olwen Ford and Julian Ford took to the helm in the stand and offered everyone a warm welcome. Thank you to all who attended the show this year. Exhibitors, club members, David and Helen Hyland from the Society, all our visitors, and our judge, Iain McKay who travelled down from Scotland to attend.
Highlanders in Wales are thriving like never before all thanks to your support. We saw a huge interest in the breed this year with many seriously considering a shift from continental breeds to hardier, more economical natives such as the Highland. With the new Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme on the horizon, those of us already converted to the breed hope to continue showcasing how productive these cattle are, both as a pedigree and for crossing. The future has never looked so good for the breed in Wales.
Diolch am sioe fendigedig! Thank you for a brilliant show!
Gemma Haines Secretary, Highland Cattle Club of Wales
“It was a pleasure to judge the Highland Cattle section of the Royal Welsh Show. There were very strong classes of cattle which were all extremely well presented. In the bull class, I chose a well fleshed animal put forward from the Chadwich fold, which went on to get reserve champion. The champion animal was a cow and calf shown by Annie Perkins. A good showy cow that looked perfect on the day. The rest of the cattle were all well turned out and the exhibitors did exceptionally well despite the searing heat.” — Iain McKay, Cnoc fold, Appin
Class 581: Bull any age 1st Hamish Dubh 5th of Chadwich | M J and V M Monk 2nd Louis of Earn | Milly Bradley 3rd Brogach Murphy Ruadh of Seam | S and E Haley 4th Fergus Ruadh 5th of Knockendon | Rhian Thomas
Class 582: RWAS Special Rosette for the Best Male exhibit born on or after 1 January 2021 1st Brogach Murphy Ruadh of Seam | S and E Haley
Class 583: Carney Challenge Cup and RWAS Championship Rosette kindly given by Mr and Mrs J Carney for the Best Male Exhibit Male Champion Hamish Dubh 5th of Chadwich | M J and V M Monk Reserve Brogach Murphy Ruadh of Seam | S and E Haley
Class 584: Cow, any age in calf or with calf at foot 1st Lottie 7th of Mosscairn | Annie Perkins 2nd Marina of Borland | Rhian Thomas 3rd Lady Elsie of Acre Fold | Windmill fold 4th Siusan Oighreag of The May | Geoff Spawton Best calf Lottie 7th of Mosscairn
Class 585: The Celyn Fold Tankard for the Best Cow (class 584) kindly given by Becky and Huw Rowlands Lottie 7th of Mosscairn | Annie Perkins
Class 586: Heifer born on or between 1 January and 31 December 2019 1st Sineg Dubh of Seam | S and E Haley 2nd Ellie Dhubh of Thislte | Annie Perkins 3rd Violet of The Rose | Annie Perkins 4th Turfrida 6th of Chadwich | M J and V M Monk
Class 587: The Rowston Holiday Park Silver Salver kindly given by Mr and Mrs D Ormond 1st Sineag Dubh of Seam | S and E Haley 2nd Ellie Dhubh of Thistle | Annie Perkins
Class 588: Heifer born on or between 1 January and 31 December 2020 1st Millis 3rd of Seam | S and E Haley 2nd Gruagach 3rd of Caradog | Rhian Thomas 3rd Chiara of Thistle | Annie Perkins 4th Urshual Dorothy of Yarchester | Guy Mumford
Class 589: HCCW Cup Kindly given by James Williamson and Jacky Harrison (Class 588) 1st Millis 3rd of Seam | S and E Haley
Class 590: Heifer born on or between 1 January and 31 December 2021 1st Urshual Esme 5th of Yarchester | Guy Mumford 2nd Urshual Eleanor 4th of Yarchester | Guy Mumford 3rd Fionnghal 3rd of Culloden | S and E Haley 4th Oighreag 7th of The May | Geoff Spawton
Class 591 1st Urshual Esme 5th of Yarchester | Guy Mumford
Class 592: The Thatched Farmhouse Perpetual Cup and RWAS Championship Rosette kindly given by Mr and Mrs J Carney for the Best Female exhibit Female Champion Lottie 7th of Mosscairn | Annie Perkins Reserve Sineg Dubh of Seam | S and E Haley
Class 593 - Best Group of Three 1st Guy Mumford 2nd Acre Fold
Overall Champion Lottie 7th of Mosscairn | Annie Perkins Reserve Hamish Dubh 5th of Chadwick | M J and V M Monk