Dectomax Final Biggest Ever
The final of the Dectomax Charolais Championships at Clogher Valley Show attracted the largest entry ever with almost seventy premium Charolais cattle from across Northern Ireland on show. This unique occasion of coming together of impressive prizewinners from various shows throughout the Province over the summer, to attain the championship grand finale. One spectator commented “this is the fine art of the Charolais breed here today”
The luxury of fine weather brought huge crowds to the Charolais ring to view and inspect the fine line up of stock aspiring to be champion in their class.
The first class presented, the senior bull class, animals born between 1st April 2008 and 31st July 2008, this class was so large that it was divided into two rounds, in order for Judge Ian Campbell from Scotland to have the opportunity to scrutinise each animal individually. After much pondering,the winner of the class was a fine one year old bull Corcreevy Dingle owned by Gilbert Crawford, Maghera, bred by Mr D Orr. Reserve senior bull was awarded to V Bothwell for Creve Darwin, a fine bull bred by B Caslin.
The intermediate class, bulls born between 1st August 2008 and 31st December 2008 champion went to P Brown with Shanlieve Duke sired by Shanlieve Titus, with reserve intermediate champion going to E Morrison for Drummeer Donald sired by Burradon Talisman.
The junior bull, bulls born between 1st January 2009 and 30th April 2009, champion went to John McGrath Omagh for Drumconnis Elite sired by Oldstone Egbert. Reserve Champio junior bull went to Sean McGovern with Ratoary Eubank, a fine young bull with great potential,sired by champion bull Ashleigh Victor.
The senior heifer champion went to Gilbert Crawford for his fine heifer Coolnaslee Diane Sired by Allanfauld Superscott a well known champion.
Reserve senior heifer went to J A Connolly for Brigadoon Durban, a fine year old heifer sired by Royal Ubu.
Intermediate heifer class champion went to well known breeder Sean McGovern for Ratoary Disco sired by Oldstone Egbert and reserve intermediate heifer award went to G R Manley for Wellforth Dannii sired by Sang-D’Or
Junior heifer class champion went to J A Connolly for Brigadoon Ena a fine young heifer sired by Royal Val D’Or
Reserve Junior heifer champion was awarded to Mr R McWilliams for Stranagone Erin a superb heifer which shows great potential.
Presenting the awards Frank McCrystal and William Sherrard MRCVS on behalf of sponsors Pfizer. Mr McCrystal commented “Pfizer are pleased to be associated with the Northern Irealand Charolais Club and it is proof of the dedication of the breeders, the fine stock on show today”
Mr John McGrath Chairman thanked the exhibitors for the fine display of cattle, he mentioned specially Pfizer manufacuturers of Dectomax pour on wormer and also the British Charolais Society,who without their sponsorship the championship would not take place. A special word of thanks went to Ian Campbell who travelled from Scotland to judge the event.