PICTURES: Ashlea's Hollywood Showgirl takes the overall supreme title at the Latheron Show
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Kimmy Lai's three-year-old sports horse Ashlea's Hollywood Showgirl was the champion of champions at the Latheron Show on Saturday.
The filly, out of Frekleton Ultimate and by the silver elite showjumping Dutch warmblood stallion Hollywood, secured the in-hand title after winning the 2/3-year-old class and then went on to take the light-legged title before being crowned the overall horse champion.
The reserve overall title of the show went to the sheep champion, a Cheviot ewe lamb entered by John Forbes, Boultach, Latheron, and shown by his father James.
Due to the event being held over two different locations this year, the champion of champions judge, William Macdonald, Tormore, had to run his eye over the livestock winners in the village at Lybster first, before heading over to Bilbster to appraise the horse champion.
Pleased with how the day went, president Raymond Gunn said that despite being on a smaller scale everything appeared to go well. The majority of events were held within the village of Lybster with the horse classes being hosted by the Miller Family at Netherton Farm, Bilbster.
"There seemed to be a buzz in the village. Everybody was delighted to be at the show again," said Raymond. Its been a while since we have been here."
He felt it would have been better to have the whole event in the one field as usual, but that was just not possible this year – the 97th Latheron Show – the last show was held three years ago in 2019.
The agricultural event attracted quite a few spectators, including curious holidaymakers passing through keen to find out more about what was going on as well as members of the local farming community interested to see the livestock side of things.
Proving very popular was the dog show which attracted over 40 competitors for the variety of classes on offer. Being in the village made it easier for quite a few local dog owners.
The flower show and home industries sections also went well and the craft stalls generated good interest. Children's sports were held at the village football pitch.
The overall cattle championship went to J Munro & Son, Invercharron Farm, Ardgay, with their commercial champion, Jacket Potato, a 15-month-old British Blue cross heifer, after Caithness Norseman.
Invercharron are noted not only for their quality stock, but also the quirky names they give their champions, this year being no different, although they did have reasoning behind the name.
At a week old the heifer calf became very ill and had to be fed through a tube and kept warm in a jacket for over a month until she recovered. The care and attention proved worthwhile as she has now won her first championship and is set to do the rounds of other shows in the north over the next few weeks.
Jonathan Gunn, March Cottage, Mavsey, Lybster, took the reserve supreme cattle championship with his continental champion, Caithness Maverick, a 15-month-old Simmental bull after Corskie Jackpot.
The reserve supreme sheep championship went to Katie Gunn, of Shop Farm, Scotscalder, with her Suffolk champion, a one crop ewe by Sullom North Star.
In the horse section it was good to see a few Clydesdales coming forward with Gersa Lady, a four-year-old mare with foal at foot, shown by Mikey and Jacqueline Munro, Janetstown, taking the championship. The reserve went to Lucy Aitken's six-week-old foal, Mavis.
The overall working hunter title went to the horse champion in that section, Riley, ridden by Russell Skelton, while the working hunter pony title was won by Leoni Kennedy on Liddesdale Sovereign. Reserve working hunter horse was Emma Coghill with her eventer Rainbows Little Rock, and the reserve working hunter pony went to Forlan Honey Dundandy and Rachel MacGregor.
The top Shetland award went to Bethany Swanson, Framside, Calder, with the seven-year-old gelding Bellajaz Whisky, while young Hannah Taylor, Mid Calder, and Breckon First Endeavour were reserve.
Champion Highland was Cairns Nena, entered by Natalie Macdonald, Halkirk, with the reserve ticket going to Alfie of Park View owned and ridden by Janet Macleod, Upper Dounreay.
The champion ridden horse award went to Morven Mackenzie, Achalone Croft, and Llnhelyg Lady Cila, with Kincullen Moonstone and Russell Skelton, Spittal, reserve.
Ridden pony champion was the eye-catching sidesaddle winner Gabby Ivey, West Watten, riding her fell Clifford Blue Chip, while young Abbie Burt, Wick, on her lead rein class winner Merlin was reserve.
