Thomas Lyons The Balmoral Show, one of Northern Ireland’s most significant agricultural events, has set a new record with 3,000 animals competing in this year’s show rings. The event’s increasing popularity is due to the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society’s investment in new facilities and the commitment of its staff to meet the needs of livestock breeders. Breeders from across the island of Ireland see Balmoral as a premier venue and want to compete there.
This year’s Balmoral Show featured a full breakdown of the livestock showing winners. The Inter-Breed Dairy classes were won by Martin and Cyril Millar of Coleraine, who took the Inter-Breed Champion award, and the Fleming family of Seaforde, Co Down, who won the Inter-Breed Reserve. The Fleming family also won the Group Inter-Breed Champion, with Clandeboye Estate taking the Group Inter-Breed Reserve. In the Holstein Classes, Martin and Cyril Millar of Coleraine were awarded the Champion, with Joel and Clive Richardson of Annaghmoe, Co Armagh, taking the Reserve.
The McLean family of Bushmills won the Junior Champion in the Holstein Classes, with Wilson and Andrew Patton of Newtownards taking the Reserve. Alan Irwin of Clogher was awarded the Champion in the Dairy Shorthorn Classes, with the McLean family of Bushmills taking the Reserve. The McLean family also won the Heifer Champion in the Jersey Classes, with the Fleming family of Seaforde, Co Down, taking the Champion and Reserve.
In the Dairy Young Handlers’ classes, Thiomas Torrens of Coleraine won the Novice Champion, with James Wylie of Templepatrick taking the Reserve. Ava Montgomery of Lisburn won the Intermediate Champion, with Adam Torrens of Coleraine taking the Reserve. Ailsa Fleming of Seaforde, Co Down, won the Senior Champion, with Holly Keenan of Monaghan taking the Reserve. Rebecca McBratney of Bangor won the Mature Champion.
In the Beef Inter-Breed classes, W D & J A Connolly of Ballynahinch won the Inter-Breed Champion award, with William Smith of Oldcastle, Co Meath, taking the Inter-Breed Reserve. The Armour family of Ballynahinch won the Champion in the Aberdeen Angus Classes, with Fintan Keown of Belleek, Co Fermanagh, taking the Reserve.
J & W McMordie took the Champion and Reserve in the Hereford Classes, with Stuart Pogue of Dungannon winning the Junior Champion and J & W McMordie of Newtownards taking the Reserve. The Charolais Classes were won by W D & J A Connolly of Ballynahinch, with H & H Heron of Newtownards taking the Reserve. Robert McWilliams of Maghera won the Junior Champion, with Robert McWilliams of Maghera taking the Reserve.
Alan Wilson of Rathfriland won the Champion in the Simmental Classes, with the Hazelton family of Dungannon taking the Reserve. Alan Wilson also won the Junior Champion, with William Dodd of Ballynahinch taking the Reserve. William Smith of Oldcastle Co. Meath won the Champion in the Limousin Classes, with Donal Moloney of Co. Limerick taking the Reserve. James Alexander of Randalstown won the Junior Champion, with Mark McCartan of Downpatrick taking the Reserve.
The McElroy family of Dromara won the Champion in the British Blonde Classes, with Rodgers’ Livestock of Dromara taking the Reserve. Rodgers’ Livestock also won the Junior Champion, with the McElroy family taking the Reserve. The Belgian Blue Classes were won by Tim and Daniel O’Donovan of Dumanway, Co. Cork, with Rodgers Livestock of Dromara taking the Reserve.
The Salers’ Classes were won by J & E A Elliott of Newtownstewart, with Stephen Maginn of Downpatrick taking the Reserve. Ballykeel Salers won the Junior Champion, with J & E A Elliott of Newtownstewart taking the Reserve. The Champion in the Beef Shorthorn Classes was won by Caramba Shorthorns of Kinvara, Co. Galway, with Leanne Green of Lisburn taking the Reserve.
Matthew Boomer of Dungannon won the Champion in the Dexter Classes, with Ryan Lavery of Craigavon taking the Reserve. Matthew Boomer also won the Junior Champion, with Montgomery & Henry of Newtownards taking the Reserve. The Moiled Classes were won by N & M Moilies of Dungannon, with R & C Maxwell of Armagh taking the Reserve. Robert Boyle of Newtownards won the Junior Champion, with Robert Boyle of Newtownards taking the Reserve.
In the Sheep Inter-breed classes, S & J Smyth of Newtownstewart won the Inter-Breed Champion award, with Mark Priestly of Downpatrick taking the Inter-Breed Reserve. Samantha Allen and A Shortt of Strabane won the Champion in the Badger Face Texels Classes, with Russell, Millen of Coleraine taking the Reserve.
Matthew Burleigh of Enniskillen won the Champion in the Beltex Classes, with Andrew McCutcheon of Trillick taking the Reserve. Ryan McLaren of Dromore, Co.Tyrone, won the Champion in the Berrichon Classes, with Ryan McLaren of Dromore, Co. Tyrone, taking the Reserve. Glen Baird of Armagh won the Champion in the Bleu du Maine Classes, with Andrew Wilson of Moira taking the Reserve.
Samantha Allen and A Shortt of Strabane won the Champion in the Blue Texel Classes, with Clive Richardson of Maguiresbridge taking the Reserve. Julie Loughery of Limavady won the Champion in the Bluefaced Leicester Classes, with Adam Porter of Maghera taking the Reserve. Diane Christie of Newtownards won the Champion in the Charollais Classes, with Graham Foster of Omagh taking the Reserve.
Ellen McClure of Crumlin won the Champion in the Dorset Horn and Poll Classes, with Caroline McKeown of Ballyclare taking the Reserve. Adam White of Kilkeel won the Champion in the Dutch Spotted Classes, with Patrick Grant of Newry taking the Reserve. Peter Stevenson of Portadown won the Champion in the Hampshire Down Classes, with Victoria McFadden of Banbridge taking the Reserve.
Rodney Balfour of Enniskillen won the Champion in the Ile de France Classes, with Matthew Compston of Armagh taking the Reserve. P & S Colhoun of Omagh won the Champion in the Jacob Classes, with Adrian Hamilton of Omagh taking the Reserve. Mr and Mrs S McAllister of Ballycastle won the Champion in the Kerryhill Classes, with Mr and Mrs S McAllister of Ballycastle taking the Reserve.
Suffolk Norman Robinson won the Reserve Suffolk Female Champion award, sponsored by Heather Pennington from ABP at The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) Balmoral Show held in partnership with Ulster Bank. S & J Smyth of Newtownstewart won the Champion in the North Country Cheviot Classes, with the Robinson family of Downpatrick taking the Reserve.
Karen Carson of Ballymena won the Champion in the Minority Breed Classes, with Lisa Dorman of Belfast taking the Reserve. Michael Graham of Antrim won the Champion in the Rouge Classes, with Jayne Tannahill of Coleraine taking the Reserve. Mark Priestly of Downpatrick won the Champion in the Suffolk Classes, with the Robinson family of Downpatrick taking the Reserve.
Martin and Cyril Millar of Coleraine won the Champion in the Texel Classes, with James Herdman of Dromore, Co Down, taking the Reserve. Diane Lowry of Cullion won the Champion in the Valais Blacknose Classes, with Gareth Morrison of Downpatrick taking the Reserve. Rachel McGarrell of Derry won the Champion in the Zwartbles’ Classes, with Elaine Anderson of Portstewart taking the Reserve.
In the Pigs Large White Classes, Trevor Shields of Kilkeel won the Champion, with Trevor Shields of Kilkeel taking the Reserve. Dr. Gary Wright of Crossgar won the Champion in the Traditional Breed Classes, with Ryan Stewart of Crumlin taking the Reserve. In the Goats Inter-Breed classes, Marcus Galbraith of Portstewart won the Inter-Breed Champion award, with Marcus Galbraith of Portstewart taking the Inter-Breed Reserve.
Overall, the Balmoral Show 2023 was a success, with a record number of entries and breeders from across the island of Ireland competing. The event’s increasing popularity is a testament to the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society’s investment in new facilities and the commitment of its staff to meet the needs of livestock breeders.
