Royal show successes for region

A HAUL of cups, trophies and rosettes came back to Dumfries and Galloway after this year’s Royal Highland Show.

Farmers and breeders from the region enjoyed myriad success at the prestigious Ingliston event.

Among them were New Abbey’s Stuart and Angie Burgess, who won interbreed pairs and reserve champion with their Kerry hill sheep.

In the Zwartbles, the overall champion went to Top Notch New Hope, from mum and daughter Hannah Jackson and Helen Sloan, of Riggheads Farm at Collin. They were then second reserve in single interbreed.

Lorna Vevers, of Waterbeck, was thrilled to win the champion Hampshire, while the title of best sheep on the showfield went to a blackface ewe from Ramsays of Milnmark, Stranraer.

There was not one, but two titles for James Common & Sons, of Crossdykes, Tundergarth in the South Country Cheviot Sheep section.

The family won both the champion and reserve titles.

In the cattle there was also local interest with Annan’s Kevin Watret taking home the Belgian Blue champion rosette; and Cummertrees couple David and Mairi Wyllie had the champion beef shorthorn from their Burllies herd.

Meanwhile, Kirstine Douglas from Dumfries secured three Hoys titles in two days, with Creagh Masterpiece winning the Hoys Small Riding Horse and then going on to take the riding Horse Championship and The Paisley Perpetual Gold Challenge Cup; Mr Bear was champion cob; and Atmospheric Morean Hamilton scooped the Hoys intermediate Show Hunter championship.

There were also celebrations for Stranraer and Rhins Young Farmers Club, whose junior handicrafts team were first with their FIFA World Cup display. Member Ruth Turtle won the special prize for her appearance and display scoring 20/20, and Gracie Cook also received a special prize for her A5 programme cover.