Fifth consecutive Highland Rally title for Bower YFC
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BOWER came out on top for a fifth consecutive time at the annual Highland Rally organised by the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC).
The event was held on Saturday at Quoybrae mart, by permission of Aberdeen and Northern Marts, and was hosted by the Caithness district. The weather wasn’t the best, but that did not dampen the spirits of those taking part.
The rally brings together members from the clubs within the Highlands to compete in a range of competitions. It also offers networking opportunities.
NFU Mutual Thurso and Dingwall offices sponsored the rally for a second year. Alix Brown from NFU Mutual Thurso and Dingwall offices said: “I am delighted to have spent an enjoyable – if wet! – day sponsoring the SAYFC Highland Rally. They are a great group of young people who are the future of Scottish agriculture and the rural economy.”
The Hamilton Auction Mart Trophy is awarded to the overall top-placed club at the rally. Bower YFC made it five in a row with with a maximum 100 points, with Forss YFC second (57.5 points) and Latheron YFC third (50).
The day began with an impressive array of baking, handicrafts and team entries laid out for the industrial section. Bower won the Nan Howie Silver Salver for most points in baking with 74 points, ahead of Inver Ross (71) and Forss (48). The P&J Rosebowl for club with the most points in the industrial section was won by Bower (62), with Forss second (37) and Latheron third (36).
The stockjudging took place in the morning with members form each of the seven competing clubs taking part. The first-placed team, winning the Farming News Trophy, was Bower C (John Gunn, Gemma Duguid and Don Swanson) with 833 points, with Bower A (Alistair McCarthy, Angus Brims and Beth Dunnett) in second place with 815 points. Third with 803 points were Latheron B (Tamara Sinclair, Rosie Promfret and Gareth Watt).
The best individual and winning the Day Challenge Cup was Bower YFC member Gemma Duguid who was also the top-placed female with a score of 322. Second-placed individual, first-placed junior and second-place female was Carrie Hamilton from Inver Ross YFC with 296 points, while third overall individual and second-placed junior was Alistair McCarthy of Bower YFC (286). Third-placed female was Tamara Sinclair from Latheron YFC with 285 points. Third-placed junior was Mac Campbell of Inver Ross YFC (282).
Then the practical competitions took place, which included digger driving (supplied by Dave Anderson, Wick), meat identification (supplied by Sinclair Butchers, Wick) and making a sheep box (materials supplied by Allans of Gillock). The boxes were auctioned at the end of the day to help raise money and awareness for Melanoma Scotland as part of the Are Ewe Okay cancer campaign. The sum of £110 was raised.
Other activities were setting up a sheep-handling system (supplied by Angus Brims), ATV course (six-wheeler, supplied by Messrs GS Donn and McLaren Tractors) and change a wheel (supplied by David Sutherland). Overall winners of the practical section were Bower with 51 points, with Forss second (43) and Ross Sutherland third (39).
The sports took place in the afternoon. Bower won the boys' five-a-side football with Latheron in second place. Forss won the girls' five-a-side football with Bower second.
Newly introduced to the rally was mixed teams netball, which was a hit with all. Winners were Bower, with Latheron second.
The overall winners for the sports section were Bower (64 points), with Forss second (42) and Inver Ross third (37). In joint fourth with 26 points were Latheron and Ross Sutherland.
North regional chairperson Gemma Bruce said: “It was a successful day and it was great to see members battling it out in each competition, especially in the newly added netball. A big thank-you to all who were supportive in organising the event, and special thanks to NFU Mutual Thurso and Dingwall offices for sponsoring the day.”
It was a successful day and it was great to see members battling it out in each competition.
Highland Rally results
Industrial – Baking section, winner of Nan Howie Silver Salver
1 Bower YFC
2 Inver Ross YFC
3 Forss YFC
Industrial – Overall most points, P&J Rosebowl
1 Bower YFC
2 Forss YFC
3 Latheron YFC
Stockjudging – Team
1 Bower YFC (Gemma Duguid, John Gunn and Don Swanson)
2 Bower YFC (Alistair McCarthy, Angus Brims and Beth Dunnett)
3 Latheron YFC (Tamara Sinclair, Rosie Promfret and Gareth Watt)
Individual stockjudging
1 Gemma Duguid, Bower YFC
2 Carrie Hamilton, Inver Ross YFC
3 Alistair McCarthy, Bower YFC
Junior stockjudging
1 Carrie Hamilton, Inver Ross YFC
2 Alistair McCarthy, Bower YFC
3 Mac Campbell, Inver Ross YFC
Female stockjudging
1 Gemma Duguid, Bower YFC
2 Carrie Hamilton, Inver Ross YFC
3 Tamara Sinclair, Latheron YFC
Practical section
1 Bower YFC
2 Forss YFC
3 Ross Sutherland YFC
Sports
1 Bower YFC
2 Forss YFC
3 Inver Ross YFC
Overall – Hamilton Trophy
1 Bower YFC
2 Forss YFC
3 Latheron YFC
