Newcomers reign supreme in beef ring

HIGH-STANDARD livestock entries, a hard-fought farriers contest and entertainment in the form of a daring horse-riding gymnast contributed to a successful 204th Otley Show this weekend.
A Dalesbred sheep plays up while on show for judging. Picture by Gerard BinksA Dalesbred sheep plays up while on show for judging. Picture by Gerard Binks
A Dalesbred sheep plays up while on show for judging. Picture by Gerard Binks

The one-day show got off to a slow start because of light rain. However, Yorkshire’s oldest show and the first in the region’s annual agricultural events calendar attracted bigger crowds for the 4,000-plus exhibits in the drier afternoon.

Against a backdrop of entertainment from the likes of the Yorkshire Volunteers Marching Band, Ben Potter’s Birds of Prey and gymnast Rosie riding Casper the dancing horse, farmers from across Yorkshire and beyond presented their cattle, sheep, poultry, rabbits, pygmy goats and dogs for judging.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Phillip Summers, 50, and his daughters Emillie, 21, and Katie, 18, of High Birks Fire Clay Works Farm in Clayton, Bradford, were crowned Supreme Champions in the beef cattle category for their Limousin cow.

The yearling colt filly gelding classThe yearling colt filly gelding class
The yearling colt filly gelding class

Mr Summers said hard work and commitment was key.

“I’m proud. We’ve only been showing for four years and started showing a Limousin here at Otley last year. After today’s result I think we’ll be going to every show in the country. I knew it was a good animal but there’s been some really fantastic show cattle here today. We knew we were up against some strong competition so to win, it’s out of this world.”

Driffield farmer Andrew Scarborough was also delighted. In a joint effort with his girlfriend Jan Lovley, he won the commercial beef cattle class with a 13-month-old Limousin heifer bred by the Rains family of Middleton in Teesdale. It was his first top prize at the show in 30 years of competing.

Robert Butterfield’s six-year-old Holstein took the Supreme Champion title in the dairy cattle class. Mr Butterfield, 56, of Linghaw Farm, High Bentham, said: “It’s a fourth calver and does 62kg a day.”

Related topics: