County Show 2025: Champions across the various classes
CATTLE
Highland cattle
Ben Evetts, Station House, Bridge Street, Halkirk, with two-year-old heifer Margaret of Bardnaheigh. Sired by Muran Erchie the 2nd of Ardbhan, she stood champion native cattle at Latheron Show the previous week.
Reserve: Ruby Evetts with Lady Anna of Bardnaheigh, a sister of the champion from the nine-member fold. The 16-month-old heifer, by the same bull, is out of a home-bred cow.
Simmental
Jonathan Gunn extended his long run of success with the breed champion, which went on to top the cattle lines. The three-year-old Caithness Nymph is one of 35 pedigree Simmentals he runs at his holding at Mavsey, Lybster.
The cattle champion, which stood reserve supreme at Latheron the previous week, is by the stock bull Corskie Jackpot and out of Caithness I Promise.
Mr Gunn also took reserve with the three-year-old cow Backmuir Kenzie’s Nespresso. She is after Wolfstar Jackaroo and out of Backmuir Orlane’s Kenzie.
Other classes – Junior and senior bull and senior and junior bull calf: J&J Gunn.
Charolais
Shebster Una, a 25-month-old heifer from Gary Oag’s Achiebeg Farm, Shebster. Reserve in the breed at last year’s show, she is by Myerscough Phantom and out of Shebster Leah. Only entry.
Any other pure breed continental
Gary Oag took the top spot with one of his pure-bred Limousins, Brims Venice. The 13-month-old heifer is by the £50,000 AI bull Wilodge Cerberus and a home-bred cow. Brims Venice stood continental champion and Young Farmers champion at Latheron.
Reserve – A bull calf took the reserve ticket for 10-year-old Matthew Tucker, of 21 Smith Terrace, Wick. The January-born British Blue bull calf Baltic Blues Viper was the result of an embryo transfer involving the AI bull Heatherview Jack and the dam, Norbreck Opportunity.
Other classes: bull – G Oag. Cow – Graham Sutherland, The Antlers, Occumster. Heifer calf – Sophie Tucker, 21 Smith Terrace, Wick.
Commercial cattle
G Sutherland with the reserve cattle champion, the February-born Limousin cross heifer calf, Mia. By Truman Idol, she was making her show debut.
Reserve: Gordon Douglas, Milton, Watten with a cow and calf combination. The seven-year-old cow, by the AI bull Netherhall Jackpot, was bred by Isobel Mackenzie, Achalone. The calf is after a home-bred bull.
Other classes – Heifer in calf or milk and best pen of three calves: G Sutherland. Cow in calf or milk: G Douglas. Senior heifer calf and steer calf born between October 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025: Henry Sutherland, Drummuie, Golspie. Junior heifer calf and steer calf born on or after May 1, 2025: Colin Mackay, The Croft, East Murkle.
Steer calf born between February 1 and April 30, 2025: James Manson, Upper Northfield Farm, Wick.
Young Farmers’ calf competition
Pedigree calf born between March 1 and September 1, 2024: Will Oag, Achiebeg, Shebster, with Brims Vandal. Pedigree calf born after September 2, 2024: Sophie Tucker, Wick, with Stella.
Cattle young handlers’ competition
Aged 8-12: Ruby Evetts, Halkirk. Thirteen to 16: Jay Sutherland.
SHEEP
Border Leicester
Messrs A Miller & Sons, Aimster, with an April-born tup lamb by Muirmouth Magician and out of a home-bred ewe. The flock also took the reserve spot with a home-bred gimmer, by a Westforth sire.
Other classes – Tup, shearling and ewe lamb: Messrs A Miller & Sons.
Suffolk
Stuart Sinclair, Haven View, Lower Gills, with home-bred shearling tup by a Cadgerfield tup.
Reserve: William Barnetson & Sons, Lynegar, Watten, with home-bred shearling. By Brompton Brute, this was his first show outing.
Other classes – Tup lamb and ewe lamb: S Sinclair. Ewe and gimmer: Messrs B&L Swanson, East Murkle.
Half-bred
Messrs Sutherland, Sibmister and Stainland Farms, with a year-old home-bred gimmer which went on be picked out as the reserve overall sheep.
Reserve: William Barnetson & Sons with one-crop ewe bred by Shearer, Lythmore.
Other classes – Three ewe lambs: Messrs A Miller & Sons. Ewe lamb: Alison Campbell, Glencroft, Glengolly.
Prime lambs
Messrs Sutherland with April-born Texel cross ewe lambs after a home-bred tup. Stood first in class at Latheron.
Reserve: Logan Moodie, Quoyshakes Farm, Bilbster, with two continental sired prime lambs.
Other classes – Two any other native sired prime lambs: Messrs DA & K Douglas, Achnamoine Farm, Watten. Two novice continental sired prime lambs: Susan Henderson, Quoyshakes Farm.
NCC Park type
A gimmer from Messrs DN Campbell & Sons’ flock at Bardnaclavan Farm, Janetstown, went on to be picked out as the inter-breed sheep and reserve supreme champion. It was the first outing for the home-bred daughter of Soutra Cannonball and a home-bred ewe.
Reserve: James Henderson, Seaview Cottages, Dunnet, with a March-born home-bred ewe lamb after Nisbet Mill Antra. Stood reserve Cheviot at Latheron.
Other classes – Aged tup three-shear and over: Beth Thomson, Achscrabster Farm, Westfield. Two-shear tup: Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust. Shearling and tup lamb: Messrs DN Campbell & Sons. Ewe: J&W Mackay, Biggins Farm, Wick.
NCC Park groups
J Henderson with three ewe lambs.
Reserve: B Thomson with three ewe lambs.
Wool on NCC shearling
D&A Campbell, Mill Farm Croft, Thrumster.
NCC Hill type
A gimmer from Andrew Campbell’s holding at Mill House, Stainland, Thurso, followed up her breed win at this year’s Royal Highland. She is after an East Lodge tup from a ewe he bought in-lamb from David Henderson during an online sale during the Covid pandemic.
Another from the 80-strong flock was reserve in the competitive entry with a three-shear tup after a Taldale sire and out of an East Lady gimmer. Second in his class at Ingliston, he is scheduled to go under the hammer at a Dingwall sale in October.
Other classes – Two-shear tup: Messrs T Pottinger, Isauld, Reay. Shearling, ewe and ewe lamb: Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust. Tup lamb: Michael Kirk, Hollandmake, Barrock.
Blackface
Alan Sutherland, Bardnaheigh, Halkirk with an Avonside-bred shearling bred shearling out of a home dam. The flock were reserve with a gimmer, by the same sire, on what was her first outing.
Other classes – Aged tup: Messrs DA&K Douglas. Tup lamb: Mason Macleod, Heathfield Road, Thurso. Ewe: Abby Miller, Rockhill, Latheron. Ewe lamb: Kirsty Grant, Braehillor, Dunbeath.
Any other native
A South Country Cheviot on its show debut did the business for Alan Sutherland. The three-crop ewe is by a Chato tup and a home-bred ewe.
A two-shear tup made it another one-two for Bardnaheigh. Bought at a Lockerbie sale from the Mount Berger flock for 2500 guineas, it was also its first showing.
Other classes –Shearling tup and gimmer: A Sutherland. Tup lamb: Chloe Alexander, An Cala, Gills. Ewe lamb: Messrs DA&K Douglas.
Commercial sheep
Wm Barnetson & Sons with a two-crop Bluefaced Leicester cross Texel cross ewe with March-born Texel lambs, by a Cairnside sire, at foot.
Reserve: Messrs Sutherland with a one-crop Texel cross Cheviot mule ewe with twin Texel cross lambs at foot.
Other class – NCC ewe or gimmer with lambs at foot: Messrs Sutherland.
Cross sheep
Wm Barnetson & Sons scored another success with their Suffolk cross Texel cross gimmer by a home-bred Suffolk sire.
Reserve: Messrs Sutherland with a home-bred March-born Texel cross ewe lamb.
Other classes – Aged tup, shearling and tup lamb: Messrs DA&K Douglas. Ewe: Messrs Sutherland.
Texel sheep (MV)
Angus Gunn, The Shiean, Thurso with a February-born ewe lamb, produced by an embryo implant of a home ewe using the AI bull Castlecairn Humbug.
Reserve: Jamie Coghill, Burnside, Huna, with a gimmer.
Other classes – Shearling: J Coghill. Tup lamb and ewe: A Gunn.
Texel sheep (non-MV)
Stevie Blackwood, Mill Farm, Durran with a home-bred gimmer by a Lower Reiss tup.
Reserve: Aiden Henderson, Seaview Cottages, Dunnet, with ewe lamb.
Other classes – Shearling: A Henderson. Tup lamb: S Blackwood.
Any other continental
K&N Mackay, Smithy House, East Mey, with a home-bred gimmer and by Sunnybank Gregor, who stood male champion. The same flock had the reserve champion with a ewe lamb.
Other classes – Aged tup: K&N Mackay. Shearling: Neve Sutherland, Bardnaheigh, Halkirk. Tup lamb: Messrs J&A Budge, Knockglass Farm, Watten. Ewe: Ellie Bain, Kennachy Farm, Forss.
Overall sheep group
Messrs Sutherland with prime lamb leaders.
Reserve: Wm Barnetson & Sons with commercial leaders.
Fleece competition
Messrs DA&K Douglas with NCC fleece.
Reserve: Messrs DA&K Douglas with greyface mule and lustre.
Other classes – Fine and mountain: Messrs DA&K Douglas. Medium: Katie Gunn, Scotscalder. Natural coloured: Chloe Anderson, Plewlands, Duffus.
Wool on NCC shearling
D&A Campbell, Mill Farm Croft, Thrumster.
Sheep young handlers
Abby Miller, Latheron, winner of 12-16 age group.
Reserve – Emily Morris, Newburgh, winner of 11 and under age group.
HORSES
Clydesdale
The March-born foal from Michael and Jacqueline Munro pipped her dam to the breed honours before going on to be picked out as the Champion of Champions. By Collessie Monarch, the bay roan is one of seven Clydesdales the couple run at their Gersa Stud at Hollyview, Janetstown. Her mother, the seven-year-old bay mare Gersa Lady Lauren, a former Caithness Clydesdale champion, sired by Arradoul Balvenie, stood breed reserve this time behind her offspring.
Other classes – Male two years and over: Mick Moore, Fairview Court, Halkirk. Female – Three years and under and harness class: Andrew Swanson, Quarryside Farm, Castletown. Four years and over: Isla Miller, East Murkle. Young handlers: Emma McLean, Thurso.
Any other heavy horse
Ashley McLean, Thurso with Woodcock Prince Archie.
Highland pony
Margaret Anderson, Broynach, Thurso, with her yearling Broynach Eve. Sired by Chapelhill Kyle and out of Zamora of Whitefield, she stood breed champion at Latheron.
Reserve: Zelda of Carlung, a five-year-old home-bred mouse-dun mare from Jade Cook, of Dorrery Farm, Halkirk. By Glenvale Guardsman, she is out of Unity of Carlung.
Other classes – Over three-year-old gelding: Ashleigh Campbell, Castle View, Wick. Ridden four years and over: Jacky Macmillan, East Durran, Castletown.
Shetland pony
Sarah Campbell, Framside, Calder with the Standard Shetland filly Tayberrys Vanya. By Allen Grove Bentley and out of Millhouse Vitality, the success comes on the heels of a reserve breed championship at Latheron.
Reserve: Fearne McCarthy, Seafield View, Mey, with the Standard former brood mare Stow Eliza Jane. The 16-year-old was gifted to her by late Jim Swan, who ran a stud near Conon Bridge. By Stow Vulcan and out of Lignite Jan, she has won a string of show successes, including a breed win at Caithness two years ago.
Other classes – Standard: Foal – Mare with foal at foot and foal: Natalie MacDonald, Halkirk. Gelding: Hannah Taylor, Framside, Calder.
Miniature – Yearling: H Taylor with reserve miniature champion Koistie Highland Lady. Filly two to three years: Vivian Budge, Morvenview, Halkirk, with miniature champion Hjaltland Opal.
Mixed Standard and miniature – Coloured: F McCarthy. Ridden four years and over: Tabitha Patterson, , Forss. Young handlers: H Taylor.
In-hand
I Miller with the light legged leader and reserve overall horse champion, the 14-year-old part Arab-bred mare Dowhills Sophistication.
Reserve: Susan Adamson, Orkney View, Thurso, with the coloured Llwyngwilym Della.
Other classes – Stallion/colt two years and over: Louise Bremner, Old Schoolhouse. Mare and foal: Becca Sinclair, Wick. Three-year-old filly or gelding: Sylvia Stewart, Ettrick Cottage, Achavrole.
Yearling: Kimmy Lai, Occumster. Cob type: S Anderson.
Mountain and moorland – Small breed: Ruth MacInnes, Upper Latheron Farm. Large breed: Jelena Scott, Tankerness.
Veteran horse or pony 15 years and over: Emma Florence, North Bylbster, Watten.
Ridden
Ponies: Zara Manson, 16 Sinclair Street, Thurso with Rushfield White Knight, also the lead rein winner.
Reserve: The reserve stall was filled by 10-year-old Rachel MacGregor of Achardle Farm, Harpsdale, with Waxwing Armada, an eight-year-old Welsh Section B gelding.
Horses: James Munro, Morven View, Spittal, took the honours with Edenagor Ned, the runner-up in the light-legged entry.
Reserve: Ruth Sutherland, of Dunn, Watten, with the working hunter Saint James.
Other classes – Cob type four years and over: Holly Henderson, Northfield, Halkirk. Arab, part-bred Arab or Anglo Arab four years and over: E Florence.
Coloured – Four years and over: R Macgregor. Mountain and moorland four years and over: Kloe O'Brien, Upper Thrumster Farm.
Under 128cm – Blaire Patterson, Forss. 138-148cm: J Scott. 148-158cm: Toots Cromarty, Hillcroft, Burray.
Veteran horse 15 years or over: Gabby Ivey, 18 West Watten, Watten.
HORSE SPORTS
Working hunters – Champion working hunter: Ruth Sutherland (Norwich Union Insurance Trophy).
Champion working hunter pony: Kloe O’Brien. Reserve champion working hunter pony: Darcey Rose Alexander.
Champion working hunter horse: Ruth Sutherland. Reserve champion working hunter horse: Lauren Oag.
Best working hunter open exhibit: Lauren Oag (W D G Morris Perpetual Challenge Cup).
Cradle stakes: Blaire Patterson (Achalone Trophy, presented by Nan Budge).
Nursery stakes: Darcey Rose Alexander (Eden Garnet Memorial Trophy). Best novice working hunter: Ruth Sutherland (Patricia Mackay Memorial Cup). Champion intermediate working hunter: Kloe O’Brien (Wardley Valletta Perpetual Trophy).
Cradle stakes: Blaire Patterson, Micro-chip. Nursery stakes: Darcey Rose Alexander, Llanafanfawr Bryan.
Novice pony: Lucy Streight, Willow’s Game Changer. Novice horse: Ruth Sutherland, Saint James.
Intermediate pony: Kloe O’Brien, Edwyn’s Royal Rocket. Intermediate horse: Michelle Matheson, Hio Imp Dale.
WHP exceeding 143cm and not exceeding 153cm: Jelena Scott, Plunkett Jenny. WH open horse over 153cm: Lauren Oag, Candy Reign.
George Budge Memorial Competition: Blaire Patterson, BB. Musical posts – Under 10: Rosie Streight. Over 10: Brooke Miller.
Junior jumping – Ponies 128cm and under: Blaire Patterson, Micro-chip. Junior jumping – Ponies 138cm and under: Kloe O’Brien, Edwyn’s Royal Rocket.
Showjumping, open to horses and ponies: Megan Gillon, Beinn Theine. Junior jumping – Ponies up to 148cm: Jelena Scott, Plunkett Jenny.
Open jumping: Lucy Streight, Rough Diamond.
Pony puissance: Kloe O’Brien, Edwyn’s Royal Rocket. Horse puissance: Lucy Streight, Rough Diamond.
Trophies – George Budge Memorial Trophy: Blaire Patterson. Centenary Perpetual Cup (musical posts): Brooke Miller.
Mary Ronaldson Memorial Trophy (junior jumping): Blaire Patterson. Ladbroke Perpetual Shield (junior jumping): Jelena Scott.
William Ronaldson Memorial Trophy (open jumping): Lucy Streight. Lower Gillock Cup (pony puissance): Kloe O’Brien.
Morris Ronaldson Westerseat Trophy (horse puissance): Lucy Streight.
Driving turnouts: Isla Miller, Ha Durran Finlay (Robertsons of Tain (North) Ltd Perpetual Trophy).
Donkeys
Robert Streight, Thrumster with 17-year-old Patrick.
Goats
Claire Lowe, Rampyards, Watten with her veteran pygmy goat Milly. She also took the reserve ticket with another member of her herd, Maggie.
Poultry
Danny McCarthy, Longoe Farm, Mey with three-year-old Austalorp bantam hen.
Reserve: Melvin Wick, Stromness, with Dutch bantam.
Other classes – Hard feather – Male and female and 9-16 junior section: Isla Bruce, Farr View, Bettyhill. Heavy breed male: Alistair McCarthy, Seafield View, Mey. Light breed female and true bantam male: D McCarthy.
Vintage machinery
Ferguson tractors: Matthew Sutherland, Massey Ferguson TEF 20, 1956. Self-propelled machine: Nicol Mackenzie, Field Marshall Series 2, 1948.
Champion vintage machinery: Nicol Mackenzie. Reserve champion vintage machinery: Graeme Sinclair.
Trophy presented by Mr P Stewart, Burnthill, Thrumster, in memory of his parents for best exhibit in the Ferguson tractor class: Matthew Sutherland.
Trophy awarded by the Dunnett family in memory of the late George Dunnett for best tractor in the self-propelled machine class: Nicol Mackenzie.
Rabbits
Fancy: Lionhead, any age: Maureen Thomson. Rare variety fancy, any age: Jane Angus. Any other variety fancy, any age: Jane Angus.
Fur – Beveren, any age: Jane Angus. Rare variety, any age: Jane Angus. Any other variety fur, any age: Archie Bain.
Rex – Mini Rex, any age: Archie Bain. Challenge rabbit, any age: Archie Bain.
Challenge rabbit, any age: Archie Bain. Pet rabbit owned by child under eight: Ella Kean.
Champion rabbit: Archie Bain (Castor Rex). Reserve champion rabbit: Jane Angus (Rhinelander).
Tug of war and sheaf-tossing
Tug-of-war winners: Halkirk/Forss Veterans.
Open sheaf-tossing – Ladies’ winner: Morven Mackenzie. Gents: Matthew Murray and Jamie Welsh (joint winners).
Crop competition
The judge was Keith Hendry, Dipple, Fraserburgh, with 49 fields judged in total.
Winter barley: 1 Andrew Mackay, West Greenland; 2 MBM Farms Ltd, Bilbster Mains; 3 James Gunn, Whitefield.
Feeding barley: 1 William Barnetson & Sons, Lynegar; 2 John Anderson & Partners, Broynach; 3 James Gunn, Whitefield.
Malting barley: 1 J&R Gunn Gerston; 2 B&J Mackay, Skitten; 3 A Webster, Lower Reiss Farms.
Spring oats: 1 John Anderson & Sons, Broynach; 2 J&R Gunn, Gerston; 3 J T M Mackay, Thura Mains.
Overall winner – W&A Geddes Trophy: John Anderson & Partners, Broynach.
Additional reporting by Alan Hendry.