Northern Ireland Blonde Club
Islandhill and Ivaniskey Blondes come out tops in |
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The NI Blonde cattle club, have recently held their Pedigree Blonde herd competition in conjunction with the British Blonde Society and Corby Rock Ltd who have kindly sponsored the event. This year Judging was in the capable hands of Mr. David Skinner of the Allacott Blonde Herd, Devon. David, who is currently the Chairman of the South West Blonde Club, and no stranger to the show ring, winning many championships at local shows through out England. David commented on the quality of stock, that he had seen during his visit in Northern Ireland and said it had been a real pleasure to judge what he described as outstanding quality stock, that were a real credit to the breeders.
During July David travelled over 400 miles thought-out NI to pick the best large herd and the Best small herd, Best Stock Bull and Best Maiden Heifer. This year the NI club also introduced three New cups. Chairman Kenny Archer of Farlough Blondes, put forward a cup for the Best Maiden Heifer, The Gibson Family of Ballygowan Blondes put a cup up for the Best Stock bull and I & R McElroy & Son, Ivaniskey Blondes put a cup up for the best Cow with Calf at foot. The Results of the competition are as follows; Large Herd; Small Herd : Best Stock Bull : Ivaniskey Blondes, I & R McElroy & Son, Dromara with Doncombe Aga Khan,
The Ivaniskey Blonde herd is located near the Village of Dromara and is owned by Ivan Ruth and William McElroy. The Herd was established in 1996 and got its name from the Town land of Tullyniskey. The herd consists of 10 pedigree cows with calves at foot, heifers, stock bull Doncombe Aga Khan and commercials. Over the past ten years Ivaniskey Blondes have taken many championship, these include, The Show Herd of the year from 2002 – 2006. Perth Champion, Carlisle Champion, Dungannon Champion, the NISA Beef cow, RUAS Supreme Blonde champion, in 2003, 04, and 07, Reserve champion 06 and 08 and Male champion in 05 and 08, best small herd in the UK in 04/05, plus many Interbreed Championships at local shows.
The Budore Blonde herd of Paul McGarry and Family, Dundrod was awarded the NI Best Cow with Calf at foot. Budore Annie and her Calf Doris were awarded Reserve Blonde Champion at Armagh show this year. Annie was born in 2005 and is sired by Whistley Dollar and out of Budore Ruby. Her Calf Doris is sired by a home bred bull Budore Boris.
These herds will now compete for the ‘Best Large Herd, Best Small herd, Best Stock Bull and Best Maiden Heifer in the UK’ which will take place on Monday 18 th August 2008. Judging the finals will be Mr. R Davies, Wales, winner of the best large herd and Best overall herd in the UK 2006, and Mr. D Grant from Aberdeenshire, Winner of the best small herd in the UK in 2006. The Club would like to thank Corby Rock Ltd for their generous sponsorship and wish the finalist every success in the finals of the Overall British Blonde herd competition. Cups |
The Islandhill Blonde herd was established just three years ago and is located between the villages of Toome and Castledawson, and is owned by Paul Gribbin and Family. Paul’s first cows and calves were purchased from the Ballygowan herd belonging to Robert Gibson, Ballygowan. At present the Islandhill herd consists of twenty-two pedigree cows with calves at foot and Eight maiden heifers. Stock bull is Budore Bud, a son of Budore Utah who was purchased from Paul McGarry Dundrod, and thirty commercials. Bub is also run with thirty commercial cows. The Gribbin family have had great success during their first year of showing, winning the Supreme Blonde Championship at Dungannon mart Spring Show and Sale with Islandhill Barney going on to take two Reserve Championship at Ballymena and Antrim show with Islandhill Cowboy both home bred bulls. The Islandhill herd has been awarded the ‘NI Best Large Blonde Herd 2008’.
